February 21, 2022
Adrian Rogers
Scripture Passage: Ephesians 5:18
God made men and women differently, so that He might make us one in marriage. Marriage ought to be a duet, not a duel; we sing the same song, but we take different parts. In the music of marriage, the man takes the lead and the woman takes the harmony.
Ephesians 5 reveals how to have melody in the home: “...speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God” (Ephesians 5:19-21).
In our divine design, we also see the definite differences between us. There are general differences between men and women designed to complement each other.
In order to implement our differences, we need some dynamic direction: “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body” (Ephesians 5:22-23).
As head of the household, husbands must assume responsibility. They do not exist to have their needs met; rather, they exist to meet the needs of the family.
When wives are instructed to submit to their husbands, it means they are to look to them, not as servants, but as subjects to their husbands’ leadership. Wives are not inferior to husbands; their duty to submit is a reflection of how the Church submits to Jesus Christ.
Husbands may delegate authority, but they cannot escape their responsibility. They must let their wives know that they are number one in their lives, by treating them as Christ treated the Church: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her…” (Ephesians 5:25).
Husbands must also protect their wives from emotional trauma and be careful not to unload stress on them. A husband is responsible for making his wife feel secure—to nourish and cherish her.
Adrian Rogers says, “The husband takes the initiative to love the wife as Christ loved the Church. Jesus took the initiative; we love God because loved us.”
Is there a clear melody and harmony in the music of your marriage? Pray that you and your spouse would assume your God-given responsibilities and honor Him.
