Last time we ended with the question,
“Are you protecting your husbands heart?“
Are you being his“ezer kenegdo”? His help meet, helper suitable, protective counterpart? Does his heart safely trust in you?
This week we will explore five ways to do just that.
The Bible is packed with practical advice. It overflows with applicable principles for wives. So without further ado let’s turn to God’s word.
1. Do not withhold yourself.
“The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.
The wife does not have authority over her own body, but yields it to her husband.
In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body,
but yield it to his wife.” ~1 Cor. 7:3-4~
Yes, this is first and foremost on the list, because sex really is that important to a man. A man’s view of love and marriage is very different than a woman’s. He has needs that only a his wife can and should fulfill. When this need is not fulfilled, he is forced to be tempted.
Do not deprive each other…so that Satan will not tempt you
because of your lack of self-control.
~1 Cor. 7:5~
A wise woman will not withhold her body from her husband. She seeks to fulfill his sexual needs. She does not begrudge him for his need. Neither does she simply “tolerate” his advances. She engages. She participates. She enjoys.
It is a selfish woman who doesn’t make time for her husband. It is a selfish woman who doesn’t rest up or prepare for her husband.
The greatest way to love is to esteem another’s needs before our own. Dear wife, your husband has a need. Do not turn him away. Do not deprive him.
On our wedding day, the most memorable advice was given to us by an elderly couple. They simply said,
“Never keep sex from each other as a way to get revenge.”
Our ears burned hearing that. We even discussed it as being uncalled for. But, I have been forever grateful for that advice.
To that I’d like to add, never avoid your husbands advances with excuses like “I’m tired” or “I don’t feel like it.” His need to copulate is not evil, but a God given need.
He needs sex to feel loved and cherished, like a woman needs to feel loved to desire sex.
Do not purposely withhold yourself.
“My beloved is mine and I am his” ~ Song of Songs 2:16~
