Sinning Against My Husband

ID-100122416Last week God allowed me to see that I have been responding to my husband in a way that doesn’t always show love or respect. I was reminded of a blog post I wrote last year about respect. At the end I had asked several questions. One being, “What about my attitude when speaking with him? Does my voice tones also show respect?”

My heart was grieved. I looked at my husband who I dearly love and felt such sorrow. A sorrow that leads to repentance. (2 Cor 7:10) He does not deserve my snarky attitude. He doesn’t deserve my bad day (or week). I mean it’s one thing to tell him I’m having a bad day, or feel bad. It’s something entirely different to take it out on him.

Tears of compassion welled up in my eyes. As I looked at him I began to really see him. Not just as my husband but also as a man who loves God. As a man who is my covenant partner, friend and brother in Christ. A man who has devoted his life to me, to provide for our family and raise our boys. A man who works very hard so that I can stay home. 

This man I married has not been prefect. But, he has always loved me. Always. Even in my moments of a disrespectful, awful, snarky attitude. He honors me, lifts me up and continues to love me. Do you know that there is hardly a day that goes by that he doesn’t tell me I am beautiful and he loves me? So how could I possibly be mean with a man like this?

It’s easy. I am a daughter of Eve. I have a sinful nature that wants to rise up and have my own way. I want to be in control. I want what I want when I want it!! No, it’s not pretty. In fact it’s rather ugly. It’s times like this that I really understand Paul in Rom 7:18 “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.”

At times I suppose it would be easy to just stop there and say “Oh well, it’s my sinful flesh, God’s working on it, so deal with it!” It grieves me when I here that excuse or attitude. Whether I hear it in my mind or hear it out of the mouth of believers.

My husband shouldn’t have to deal with it. Not because he loves me or is good to me. And not just because I shouldn’t treat him that way. He doesn’t have to deal with it because Jesus already dealt with it.

It’s times like this that I must return to the cross. I have sinned against my husband. I have sinned against God. So my snarky little attitude needs to take time to go back to the cross and preach the gospel!

What I mean by that is I need to remember that I am a sinner. I need a Savior. And at the cross “Christ died for our [my] sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (1 Cor 15:2b-3)

At the cross Christ conquered death. He paid for my sin. I no longer am a slave to my flesh. Christ Jesus is living in me through His Spirit. Therefore, I no longer have to live according to what my flesh desires. Because of His righteousness I am able to live in righteousness, (with a right attitude). (Roman 8:10-20)

Don’t you see? I do not have to be disrespectful attitude toward my husband. When I am feeling bad, with a wrong attitude, I can go to the cross BEFORE I behave in an unbecoming way. I do not have to live in bondage to my flesh any longer. It doesn’t have to rule over me. I have been set free. (Rom 8:2)

So my snarky little self spent time at the foot of Jesus so that I could have my attitude adjusted! And you know what? It felt really good, and freeing as I allowed His Spirit to minister to my spirit with grace, mercy and love.

 

Note: If any husbands are reading this please know that the same truth can be applied to you toward your wife! Winking smile

 

Today I am joining….

     Messy Marriage

 

 

*Photo of couple fighting By David Castillo Dominici,Stock Photo - image ID: 100122416

7 comments:

  1. YES. This is so good! We are no longer slaves to sin, but to righteousness. Christ has destroyed the power of sin, death and Satan, so that we have the ability to live as HIS children, and not as children of the devil! Thank you for this--I needed this reminder today!

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  2. Hi Jaime, Thank you for dropping in...and I am with you with needing the reminder!

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  3. I know this, I understand this, I relate to this, and yet I still needed this message today. Thank you for this reminder that we do not have to use the fact that He is still working on us as an excuse. I definitely needed this message.

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  4. There is such freedom at the foot of the cross, Sharon. You are right to take this so seriously. I think we too often justify our behaviors under the guise of "I'm just a sinner" when we forget that we are also called "Saints." And with that surrendered heart Christ can do the impossible through us. That's something that God is reminding me of a lot lately. Thanks for being a voice in the chorus He gently brings to my ears, my friend. Thanks for linking this up with Wedded Wed too. :)

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  5. I loved the entire post, but I absolutely adored how you closed it out. We don't have to remain in bondage to ourselves and our poisonous tones, attitudes. We have been set free if we will only accept that grace. Thank you so much for linking this awesome post up at Walking Redeemed last week!

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