S)"17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’;
Cursed is the ground because of you;
In toil you will eat of it
All the days of your life."
Genesis 3:17 (NASB)
O) It's interesting, what God says to Adam, here. He doesn't simply address the fact that Adam disobeyed. He also addresses the fact that Adam was taking his wife's lead. Adam was listening to his wife instead of God. He had placed his spouse ahead of his creator. The immediate result is lost blessings (the Garden and its Tree of Life). The end result is a life of difficult, miserable work.
A) Kristin is an amazing wife; she makes it easy to be a husband. Having said that, there are times when I want to please her so much that I will comprimise what I know is right. Nothing huge, or even immoral, per se. But, I have certainly made unwise decisions. For example, because I don't want to tell her no, I have spent money that we should not have spent. This has been known to create all sorts of havoc. Initially, it affects our actual financial stability. But then prolonged effects on our marriage surface with the stresses of tight finances or extra work (e.g., overtime, etc.). Again, my wife has great discernment and obedience, and through that we have addressed this particular issue. Over the years, we've gotten better at it - me saying no, her not asking when she knows we shouldn't. Ultimately, it's hard to be a man and to choose what's right, instead of just trying to make my wife happy. I need to remember that happiness is fleeting and just because something feels good, doesn't make it good - even with your wife. I need to focus on what will bring her joy and what will be good for her.
P) Father, forgive me for my sins and failures in my marriage. I want to effectively, righteously lead my wife. Holy Spirit, strengthen me to walk in righteousness and to follow the will of the Father, even as I know it. God, Your word is not always a mystery to me, I simply need to be obedient. Remind me that my wife responds to godly discipline and she is blessed when I put my foot down. Remind me that she has said, and even shown, that when I am firm in doing what is right, she feels more secure, more blessed, more joyful, and even more attracted to me. Continue to shape me into the man she needs me to be. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
P) Father, forgive me for my sins and failures in my marriage. I want to effectively, righteously lead my wife. Holy Spirit, strengthen me to walk in righteousness and to follow the will of the Father, even as I know it. God, Your word is not always a mystery to me, I simply need to be obedient. Remind me that my wife responds to godly discipline and she is blessed when I put my foot down. Remind me that she has said, and even shown, that when I am firm in doing what is right, she feels more secure, more blessed, more joyful, and even more attracted to me. Continue to shape me into the man she needs me to be. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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