Wives play a huge and instrumental role in helping their husbands become Christ-like.
God gave husbands their wives for a purpose. More than just being companions, God also meant that wives would help their husbands fulfill His will for them. Genesis 2:18 tells us,
"It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him."
Here we see that God meant wives to be both their husbands' companions and helpers who will accompany them and help them fulfill His very will.
That said, every wife will do well to desire to help their husbands become Christ-like.
A message to all wives
Dear sisters, you have a great role to play in your husband's walk towards Christ-likeness. Here are a few ways you can do that.
1) Forgive him
Many couples end up stuck in the blame game, hurting one another because they refuse to forgive each other. This is wrong. Forgiveness is necessary to living in Christ-likeness.
In the case of marriages, forgiveness allows for healing. James 5:16 tells us, "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed."
When we forgive each other and pray for each other afterwards, healing comes naturally.
Many couples find it hard to forgive one another. Why? It's because forgiveness has to do with a conscious letting go of offenses. In other words, we must keep no record of wrongs.
1 Corinthians 13:5 says love "thinks no evil." Spouses ought to do that: not meditate on and think of their spouses' sins or mistakes again and again, refusing to forgive.
2) Pray for him
James 5:16 also tells us that "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." This is so true.
Wives ought to realize that even if their husbands seem stubborn and don't listen to them (more so if they nag), God is able to convict their husbands and change them.
This doesn't mean wives should desire to change their husbands according to their liking. What this means is that God can help their husbands change and mold them towards Christ-likeness.
That said, wives will do well to realize that their prayers are very powerful.
3) Encourage him
Lastly, consider speaking words of encouragement all the time. The Bible tells us that "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit" (Proverbs 18:21). Again, this is so true.
Spouses who talk down and speak harsh and unkind words to each other cannot expect good fruit to come from their relationship. Why expect life when all that is said is death?
Knowing this, spouses must learn and choose to speak life and encouragement to one another.
Wives, choose to encourage your husbands. I know that it's not easy to do that, especially if your husband is the type to be egotistic and selfish. But your kind words and encouragement will greatly help him in times of failure and lack.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 tells us,
"For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing."
Christ died for us, because God wants us to live with Him. If He gave us so much while we totally undeserved it, we ought to learn to love our spouses even when they're at their worst.
