One of the easiest ways of becoming something or someone in life is to have an example or a pattern to follow. As a Christian man who wants to marry one day or even already married, a good pattern to follow is what God says about a godly husband, remember He created marriage. There's so much distress in nowadays marriages because most of us haven't taken the manual writing by the inventor and applied it to our lives to become the quintessential example of what He wanted marriage to be like.
The Bible has a lot to say about what it means to be a godly husband. I've compiled in this blog a few points that we can start to work on, in ourselves if we haven't already, and also apply our marriages to in order to have a better and more enjoyable one. Here are some of the key features of a godly husband.
Love:
Love is the basis of every marriage or I should say, love should be the basis of every godly marriage. A godly husband loves his wife unconditionally, just as Christ loves the church. He puts her needs before his own and is willing to sacrifice for her. These are the things Christ did for his bride.
Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Respect:
A godly husband respects his wife as an equal partner. When God created man, He realised it wasn't a good thing for him to be alone. Everything He created, he called good but man being alone wasn't good to Him. He created woman, a helper, not a less of a human, but someone to be with man and help him with his God given purpose. A man must see his wife as his helper, someone to help him achieve his goals. This should make him respect her equally as himself as he couldn't be good on his own and alone. He should listen to her opinions and value her input. He does not control or dominate her.
1 Peter 3:7
You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
Leadership:
A godly husband is a leader in his home. He takes responsibility for his family's well-being and makes decisions that are in their best interests. He is not afraid to stand up for his family and protect them from harm.
Ephesians 5:23
For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.
Provider:
A godly husband provides for his family's needs, physical, emotional and financial etc. He works hard to earn a living and makes sure that his family has everything they need.
1 Timothy 5:8
But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Fidelity:
A godly husband is faithful to his wife. He does not cheat on her or betray her trust. He is committed to their marriage for life.
Hebrews 13:4
Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Ephesians 4:27
and do not give the devil an opportunity.
Humility:
A godly husband is humble. He does not think he is better than his wife or anyone else. He is willing to learn and grow, and he is always open to feedback.
James 4:10
Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
Philippians 2:3
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Generosity:
A godly husband is generous. He is willing to give his time, energy, and resources to help others. He is not selfish or stingy.
1 Timothy 6:18
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
Fortitude:
A godly husband is strong and courageous. He is not afraid to face challenges and stand up for what he believes in. He is a role model for his family and a source of strength for his wife.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
Joy:
A godly husband is joyful. He has a positive outlook on life and enjoys spending time with his family. He is a source of encouragement and support for his wife.
Proverbs 5:18
Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice in the wife of your youth.
These are just some of the features of a godly husband according to the Bible. A godly husband is a man who loves, respects, leads, provides, and protects his wife. He is faithful, humble, generous, strong, courageous, and joyful. He is a man who puts God first in his life, and he strives to live out God's commands in his marriage.
So, my dear men of the faith, I want to throw a challenge to you. Analyse your life, as a man, if these virtues are being developed in you, if you're single. Make it a project to work on these with the help of the Holy Spirit. As a married man, you can ask your wife to know how well you've fared since marriage and where you can put in a little more effort to become better. Above all, pray to God to help you and grant you grace to become a godly husband.