Male leadership in the church and the home is designed by God to be
characterized by tender strength, courageous protection, and self-giving
devotion. Male authoritarianism is about neither. Indeed, it's a
pathetic distortion that broadcasts a gospel lie (Eph. 5:32).
Today is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women,
a fitting occasion to rehearse some of God's thoughts on the matter. As
it turns out, he has quite a lot to say about (and to) the sort of men
who would ever dare harm their brides. Consider just a sampling:
"Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them" (Col. 3:19).
"Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way,
showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs
with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered"
(1 Pet. 3:7).
"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of
difficulty. For people will be lovers of self . . . proud, arrogant,
abusive . . . heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control,
brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit,
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of
godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people" (2 Tim. 3:1-5).
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not
arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable
or resentful. . . . Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes
all things, endures all things" (1 Cor. 13:4-7). Continue at Matt Smethurst
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