How to Honor Your Wife: Respect Her Opinion

by David Chadwick

We husbands are often “Captain Oblivious” with our wives. We live disconnected from them. They often have insights that could help us in many different areas. They are often transmitting signals to us. But, like radio waves needing a transmitter for sounds to be heard, we don’t have our transmitters turned on. And if they are on, we have our dials set just a few numbers away from their signals. We only hear garbled gurgles and static sounds.

We husbands need to learn from our wives. We need to seek and respect their opinions. This respect comes more easily when we know them well.

Through the years, I’ve learned four different ways to know Marilynn well. They have helped me hear her transmissions. They have aided me in seeking her input. They have allowed me to clearly discern what she may be feeling and how I can digest what she may be trying to say to me. I know she has my best interests at heart. I know she wants my best. I know she desires my success. If so, and we are one flesh, wouldn’t it be wise for me to learn better how to know her well?

These four ways are encapsulated in the acronym S-E-A-L. Think of them as ways to “seal the deal” with your wife—ways to know her well.

After all, the better you know her, the more you’ll value her opinion. And the closer you will become. She will feel honored. And when you finally seal the deal, the two of you truly become one—which is God’s goal for all marriages. Here it is:

S—Study her life

E—Empathize with her

A—Ask for her opinion

L—Listen to what she says

I would imagine that several things on my list are also on yours. I’d also imagine that you’d have other items that I don’t have. What’s on the list isn’t nearly as important as the fact that there is a list. Just make sure you have one.

We husbands need to S-E-A-L the deal. Study your wife. Empathize with her. Ask and respect her opinions. Listen to what she says. Doing so will help you to know her well. It will prove your desire to honor her.

And the two of you become more and more one flesh.

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!