Thoughts from the Diary of a Desperate Man: A Daily Devotional

by Walter A. Henrichsen

APRIL 26 Day 117 Preach the Correct Sermon “Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” Ephesians 5:33 Some messages in the Bible are directed to specific audiences. Be diligent in preaching the correct sermon to the correct audience. Few things are as unattractive as listening to someone preach the proper sermon to the wrong audience. Although there are a number of biblical illustrations, one of the most glaring is the message to husbands and wives. To the wife Paul says, “wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands.” He does not say, “husbands, make sure your wives submit to you.” And to the husband Paul says, “husbands, love your wives;” he does not command the wife to preach to her husband, “love me like Christ loves the Church.” For your marriage to stay on track, you must preach your own sermon to yourself. The prayer of the spouse should always be, “God make me a better partner.” This does not mean that you can never confront others over behavioral patterns in their lives, for biblical love compels such confrontation. “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any fault, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted.”1 Note that your objective is “restoration in a spirit of gentleness,” not justice, nor the desire to make your own life more pleasant. If, for example, in your marriage you cannot convince God that your moti...