TIPS>>Wife's Role In A Christian Marriage(1)

Crucial to any family's success is the wife's role in a Christian marriage. 
A good God-fearing woman is the glue that holds the family together. First and foremost a help "mate," or suitable for a husband, a godly wife is a woman of faith, virtue, intelligence and beauty. A virtuous woman is not ignorant or slothful, but an enterprising leader, using time, talent and abilities for the good of the family and community. The role she plays is also a pivotal one between the father and the children; and at times requires the gift of mediation to help facilitate communication and good will, especially with adolescents. A godly wife is a good steward over the family resources, shows kindness to the poor, and possesses such Christian qualities and character to bring honor to God and to a husband. Proverbs, Chapter 31 perfectly describes the wife's role in a Christian marriage: "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life" (Proverbs 31:1-12). 
A virtuous woman's goal, then, is to live life above reproach to win the husband's trust. The chaste conversation of a godly woman becomes an example of virtue, purity and holiness bringing honor to the husband.

Incorporated in the wife's role in a Christian marriage is not only the ability to properly manage the household, but primarily to minister to her own husband. A wife has the God-given power to make or break a man. By understanding a man's need for intimacy and acceptance, a godly wife can help the husband become all that God intended for him to be. Christian women need not be concerned about infidelity when the effort is made to love, honor, obey and cherish their mates. Keeping the home fires burning is part of a wife's role, and should not be a duty but a distinct pleasure. "Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency" (I Corinthians 7:1-5). 

As women of integrity, many females fulfill the wife's role in a Christian marriage not only by meeting the needs of the husband and family, but by also extending charity to the poor and performing good deeds. In so doing, the godly Christian wife brings honor to the husband, possibly a leader in the community or in the church. Part of good stewardship is tithing, giving a tenth to the Church; and offerings for the work of Christian ministry at home and abroad. The wife's role in a Christian marriage which extends beyond the homefront might include volunteering to deliver meals to the sick and shut in, helping the elderly, or accompanying the family on mission trips abroad. In any case, the godly married woman sees a need and makes a sincere effort to meet it whenever possible. 

Women married to ministers or laypersons should always live an exemplary life and not bring shame upon their husbands, but honor. Because of a lifestyle that is chaste, holy, and pure, the wife's role in a Christian marriage is a witness not only to the community at large but also to the family and spouse. Godly women lead by being an example of the believer in word and in deed. The wife's responsibility is to teach a daughter and other young women how to be a godly wives, while demonstrating to young men the proper way to earn respect and submit to the husband's authority. The wife's role in a Christian marriage includes teaching others by example. " But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed" 
(Titus 2:1-5). 

Lastly, the wife's role in a Christian marriage is to display Christ-like attributes and the fruit of the Spirit that emanate both natural and spiritual beauty, to the glory of God. The virtuous wife possesses love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. Because she fears, or reverences the Lord, the godly wife is able to excel in virtue above other women, so much so that works of honor, humility, and true holiness earn a reputation in the church and at home. "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (I Timothy 4:12).

TO BE CONTINUED.....!!!