“Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” – 1 Peter 3:7

Back to the Bible radio teacher David Chadwick provides insight from his book . Throughout the years, David has learned valuable ways to honor his wife, Marilynn. He unveils 8 helpful tips for husbands:

1. Trust her gut instinct

“I’ve learned through the years that Marilynn has a sixth sense, a kind of a radar system that can anticipate issues, problems and difficulties in my life. When I listen to her and guard her words, things go better. When I don’t, I often times step in stuff and I’ve learned that through the years.”

2. Be a man of God.

Don’t look to your wife to be your life. Instead look to Jesus to fulfill that promise.

3. Encourage her gifts. 

Your wife is talented and gifted. Encourage her to pursue what God has instore for her through those gifts.

“She’s uniquely gifted so I’ve helped her in every way that I possibly can explore her speaking giftedness, her writing giftedness, her leadership giftedness, etc.”

4. Respect her opinion.

“I want to know what she feels about things, I want to know who she’s reading, who’s teaching her, from where she’s learning and when she gives me her opinion I need to honor that opinion.”

 5. Ask her, ‘How is your heart?’

It’s important that you pay attention to the condition of your wife’s heart by asking her important questions.

“When we’re together every Friday we take that day off, we disconnect from the church, we unplug our phones and we go out and have coffee together and just talk. As often as I can I ask her the question, ‘How’s your heart?’

“As Proverbs 4 says, ‘The heart is the wellspring of all life.’”

 6. Share your heart with her. 

“When we’re together and I share my heart with her, she realizes that I really do care enough that I want to know what’s going on inside of me.”

 7. Be a guardian and a gardener of your home.

“I’m a guardian in not letting evil come into it. I’m a gardener by planting the nutrients of grace, God’s word and other spiritual values in our home.”

 8. Use your words wisely.

“I find phrases and things that I know that build her up that I speak to her over and over, and over again.”

“I realize my words toward her can either tear her down or build her up. I purposefully found phrases through the years that I speak to her over and over again to build her up.”

Honoring your spouse will not only produce lasting fruit in their life, but will also fulfill God’s design for your marriage.

Highlight: 8 ways to honor your wife

Honoring your spouse