How to Honor Your Wife: Ask This Question Often
by David Chadwick
The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart. What wise words these are! Most all we do in life flows from what first happens in the heart.
Solomon echoes this truth with this poignant piece of wisdom: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23). He knew the importance of the heart. He knew that everything in life flows from what’s happening within. That’s why a person needs to keep and guard the heart with all vigilance.
In our physical lives, a healthy heart usually means a healthy physical body. In the spiritual realm, it’s similarly true. A healthy spiritual heart generally means a healthy spiritual life.
Jesus made the same point in Mark 7:20-23 when he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
Everything in life, both good and evil, flows from the heart. The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart.
Here is another way we as husbands can honor our wives. It’s not astrophysics. It’s surprisingly simple, yet astonishingly significant to a woman. You need to ask your wife this question and ask it often: “How’s your heart?” That’s it. It’s that simple. But, if asked sincerely and often, it can have profound and positive implications for a meaningful and successful marriage.
Remember: Your wife wants to be one with you. That was creation’s design. That’s what she desires most. But for oneness to occur, you must want it too. Your desire to honor and prize your wife will stimulate your desire to know her heart so that you can become one.
Husband, to do this is not natural. In your sinful, selfish condition, you are prone to abandon God’s call to care for your wife’s heart and place your desires above hers. You need to learn and practice being a servant. You need to value her life above your own. One specific way to do this is to ask her what’s happening in her heart.
This series is adapted from David Chadwick’s book, Eight Great Ways to Honor Your Wife. To download your free PDF copy of the book, please visit our website by clicking here!