Unrepentent Cycle of Sin
Husband imperfectly acts or speaks >>>>>>Wife judges, criticizes husbands behavior >>>>>Wife develops emotions of disgust, dislike >>>>>Wife begins to characterize husband as unworthy of respect >>>>> Wife speaks and acts disrespectfully toward husband >>>>>Wife is miserable, dissatisfied & unhappy>>>>Return to beginning of cycle with increased severity
**Continual unrepentance may end in a miserable or broken marriage
God Honoring Behavior
Husband imperfectly acts or speaks >>>>>Wife extends forgiveness & grace because she remembers that she too needs & wants forgiveness & grace >>>>Wife develops emotions of humility & compassion >>>>Respectful words & behavior flow from humility of heart
Husband imperfectly acts or speaks >>>>>Wife remembers that respect is offered out of love for God and is not earned by husband’s behavior>>>>>> Wife refuses to dwell on husbands sin & error (2 Cor 10:5), she instead chooses to dwell on the good in her husband (Phil 4:8)>>>>>Wife prayerfully develops feelings of love & respect>>>>Wife speaks & acts respectfully toward husband in obedience to God>>>Wife is happy and joyful dispite her circumstances
Repentance: Breaking the cycle
Repentance can occur at any place in the cycle of sin and the wife at any time can choose to behave in a respectful manner while begging God to change her heart. Continual repentance will lead to a wife’s happiness, even if her husband never changes. As God enables her, & she continues in God honoring behavior, respect for her husband will increase and become heartfelt & habitual. Repentance does not always fall in our lap. Often times it must be sought after.
Husband imperfectly acts or speaks >>>>>>Wife judges, criticizes husbands behavior >>>>>Wife develops emotions of disgust, dislike >>>>>Wife begins to characterize husband as unworthy of respect >>>>> Wife speaks and acts disrespectfully toward husband >>>>>Wife is miserable, dissatisfied & unhappy>>>>Return to beginning of cycle with increased severity
**Continual unrepentance may end in a miserable or broken marriage
God Honoring Behavior
Husband imperfectly acts or speaks >>>>>Wife extends forgiveness & grace because she remembers that she too needs & wants forgiveness & grace >>>>Wife develops emotions of humility & compassion >>>>Respectful words & behavior flow from humility of heart
Husband imperfectly acts or speaks >>>>>Wife remembers that respect is offered out of love for God and is not earned by husband’s behavior>>>>>> Wife refuses to dwell on husbands sin & error (2 Cor 10:5), she instead chooses to dwell on the good in her husband (Phil 4:8)>>>>>Wife prayerfully develops feelings of love & respect>>>>Wife speaks & acts respectfully toward husband in obedience to God>>>Wife is happy and joyful dispite her circumstances
Repentance: Breaking the cycle
Repentance can occur at any place in the cycle of sin and the wife at any time can choose to behave in a respectful manner while begging God to change her heart. Continual repentance will lead to a wife’s happiness, even if her husband never changes. As God enables her, & she continues in God honoring behavior, respect for her husband will increase and become heartfelt & habitual. Repentance does not always fall in our lap. Often times it must be sought after.
Some steps to help bring on repentance:
- Beg the Lord to grant you repentance. It is a gift of God (Acts 5:31 11:18, 2 Tim 2:25)
- Do not let a day go by without being in the word (even if you have 14 kids)
- Read the account of the crucifixtion then 1 Peter chapter 3
- Call a godly friend or relative and ask her to give you a godly perspective.
Comments
Post a Comment