Wise Counsel

This past week my Prayer partner's and I discussed wise counsel especially the counsel of your wife.

Men we need to recognize that God made us and our wives as one. We must also understand if she approaches us with caution about a decision, realize that God will often give her cautions about business decisions that he will not give to us. As men we must purpose to seek out and listen to her cautions and not make decisions until there is oneness of spirit with her, as well as with God's word.

My Bride Karen and I will have been married 38 years in five months. As I think back, almost every time I made a decision without listening nor taking her advice, things went bad. OK, we must never follow the wrong counsel of a wife. A wife should never obey instructions that violate God's Word, so the husband should never follow counsel that contradicts God's commands.

Just to name a few who failed to obey God's command: Adam, see Gen.2:16-17; 3;1-7 Abraham, see Gen. 12:2; 16. Solomon, see Deut. 17:17; 1Kings 11:4-8 and Ahab, see Num. 36:7; 1Kings 21:7

When the Father designed the husband the and wife to come together in one flesh, His purpose was for the wife to provide valuable assistance in the basic areas of the husband's life. Accordingly, God gives to your wife an alertness and understanding that He does not initially give to husband. In this way, the husband recognizes his need for his wife and is motivated to maintain a oneness of spirit in order not to miss God's direction through her.

There are several scriptural examples of God's giving vital information to his wife. He told Manoah's wife that she would have a son, and how she was to rear him, before He told Manoah. (see Judges 13:1-15). He appeared to Mary before He explained Christ's birth to Joseph. (see Matt. 1:18-25).

The wife of a prosperous landowner in Shunem accurately discerned the Godly character of Elisha and urged her husband to assist him. (see II Kings 4:8-9).

The wife of a governing ruler in Jerusalem discerned the innocent character of Jesus and warned her husband not to deliver him over to judgment (see Matt. 27:19).

Brothers in Christ these scriptural examples serve to illustrate the significant ability of a wife to discern the character of those with whom her husband is dealing.

God bless you all and have a enjoyable week with your wife.

God's Servant,
Jim