The Bible has a lot to say about marriage, including how a husband should treat and relate to his wife. One key aspect is that husbands are called to find satisfaction and enjoyment in their wives.
What does it mean for a husband to enjoy his wife?
When the Bible talks about a husband enjoying his wife, it means more than just having a good time together. It encompasses several important principles:
- Pursuing intimate friendship – A husband should actively build a close companionship with his wife through open communication, quality time together, understanding her needs, and sharing hopes and dreams.
- Finding sexual fulfillment – Physical intimacy in marriage for pleasure and procreation is blessed by God. A husband should satisfy his wife sexually and not deprive her.
- Delighting in her – A husband should be uplifted by his wife’s presence and character. Her beauty, virtues, and strengths should be sources of joy.
- Appreciating her work – A husband should value and benefit from all his wife does to care for him, their household, and their family. Her efforts should not be taken for granted.
In summary, enjoying one’s wife involves emotional, physical and practical satisfaction and contentment in all aspects of the marriage relationship.
Why is it important for a husband to enjoy his wife?
There are several reasons why it is crucial for a husband to enjoy his wife:
- It is God’s design – When God instituted marriage, He intended for the husband and wife to find delight in each other for life (Proverbs 5:18-19). This brings Him glory.
- It benefits the marriage – A satisfying partnership where the husband enthusiastically cherishes his wife fosters oneness, love and stability in the relationship.
- It cares for the wife – A wife who knows her husband enjoys her feels secure in his love, valued, and happy in the marriage.
- It witnesses to others – A husband’s joy in his wife can powerfully demonstrate Christ’s love for the church to others.
Therefore, a husband finding enjoyment in his wife is an essential part of God’s design for marriage and has many positive fruits.
How does the Bible instruct a husband to enjoy his wife?
The Bible provides husbands many practical instructions on how to successfully enjoy their wives. Here are some key principles:
- Seek to understand her – A husband should intentionally study his wife to comprehend her needs, desires, fears and dreams (1 Peter 3:7).
- Speak affirming words – A husband should regularly verbalize affection and praise for his wife (Proverbs 31:28, Song of Songs 4:1-3).
- Make time to connect – A husband should prioritize quality conversation and activities to foster intimacy (Song of Songs 2:14-17).
- Be faithful and gentle – A husband should have eyes only for his wife and treat her tenderly (Proverbs 5:15-19).
- Serve and sacrifice – A husband should look for ways to assist his wife and put her needs first (Ephesians 5:25-30).
- Live considerately – A husband should avoid choices that could embitter his wife and compromise her trust (Colossians 3:19).
Living out these principles daily allows a husband to enjoy his wife in a way that honors God and enriches the marriage.
What are some specific ways a husband can enjoy his wife?
Here are some practical examples of how a husband can find enjoyment in his wife on a regular basis:
- Plan romantic date nights to kindle intimacy
- Initiate meaningful conversations to better understand her
- Surprise her with flowers or small gifts “just because”
- Take over chores so she can rest or do activities she enjoys
- Flirt with her and reminiscence over fond memories
- Pray for her and with her to encourage spiritual intimacy
- Write loving notes expressing how much you cherish her
- Be fully present when spending time together
- Cuddle and hold hands to build affection
- Verbally praise her qualities and express your admiration
These kinds of actions, done consistently, can show a wife she is enjoyed. Thoughtfulness tailored to her unique personality will be most meaningful.
What attitudes prevent a husband from enjoying his wife?
There are certain mindsets and heart postures that inhibit a husband from experiencing satisfaction in his wife. These include:
- Pride – Believing he deserves better or harboring unreasonable expectations of her.
- Discontentment – Always wishing she looked, acted, or thought differently.
- Selfishness – Making his desires and pursuits supreme without regard for her needs.
- Bitterness – Holding onto offenses instead of forgiving.
- Apathy – Taking her for granted and neglecting efforts to understand, communicate, and connect.
- Covetousness – Longing for other women rather than delighting in his wife.
- Anger issues – Harboring and freely expressing inappropriate anger toward her.
These heart conditions distort a husband’s perspective and prevent him from embracing God’s design for marriage. Overcoming them is essential.
What are the results when a husband enjoys his wife?
There are many positive fruits when a husband learns to delight in his wife:
- His wife feels secure, valued, and happy.
- Intimacy, both emotional and physical, grows.
- Communication and understanding increase.
- Appreciation and respect deepen.
- Bonding through shared interests and activities occurs.
- Burdens are lightened through teamwork.
- Conflict is reduced through a spirit of honor and support.
- The marriage gains a powerful witness to the world.
In summary, the benefits extend to the husband, wife, children, church, and community when a husband commits to fulfilling God’s call to enjoy his wife.
What are key Bible verses about a husband enjoying his wife?
Here are some important Bible passages on a husband delighting in his wife:
- “Rejoice in the wife of your youth.” (Proverbs 5:18)
- “Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life.” (Ecclesiastes 9:9)
- “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth.” (Proverbs 5:18)
- “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel.” (1 Peter 3:7)
- “So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.” (Ephesians 5:28)
Conclusion
The Bible makes it clear that a husband finding satisfaction and enjoyment in his wife is integral to God’s design for marriage. When this principle is embraced, the benefits are immense. Practically, a husband must purpose to know his wife intimately, speak lovingly, connect consistently, protect faithfully, serve selflessly, and forgive graciously. With the help of the Holy Spirit, husbands can learn to mirror Christ’s delight in the church through delighting in their brides.