Scriptures:
Ephesians 5:23 NKJV
For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.
Matthew 19:5 NKJV
and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?
1 Corinthians 6:16 NKJV
Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.”
1 Corinthians 7:10-11 NKJV
- Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.
Couples Devotion – September 29
September 29
[U]nder the influence of the curse in Genesis, every human culture has found a way to interpret male headship in a way that has marginalized and oppressed women, and it’s usually the women who notice, and object, to this treatment first. (Hardcover, p. 170; paperback, p. 191)
INTRODUCING “HEADSHIP.” With tremendous ingenuity and creativity, sin has found ways in every time and place to twist the headship of men, prescribed in the Bible (Ephesians 5:23) and intended for good, into culturally approved ways to push women to the margins, rather than partnering together for the health of the family, the church, and the world. In order to nourish our God-starved sense of self, we oppress and exploit those who cannot resist. Instead of deploying strength and power to nurture and protect, as Jesus did, we “lord it over” oth- ers for our own comfort and benefit. We see men doing this to women and read that back into the term “head” in the Bible and reject the whole idea. We should not do this.
Reflection: Would both you and your spouse say that you are partners in the marriage and in the shared life to which God has called you? If not, which of you feels unappreciated or under- utilized?
Thought for prayer: In each other’s presence pray for your ability as a couple to hear the biblical teaching amid the cacophony of cultural voices around this subject.
Reference: The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy and Kathy Keller.