Studies have shown that what we think and believe influencers those around us far more than we know. This is true even for casual acquaintances, so imagine how significant the affect is between husband and wife.
If your theology is off, or becomes a bit off, there is a chance your bride will follow you into error. While she is certainly going to be held responsible for her choice, don’t you think you will be held responsible for putting a wrong choice before her?
The other side of this is that we tend to be influenced by our bride - regardless of what she does or moves into. The Bible and history are full of men who got pulled off track by something their wife started to believe or follow - sometimes with sad and painful consequences. The reason this happens is easy to understand, we don’t want to be at odds with our bride. We don’t want to be on opposite sides of a theological divide, and that makes us willing to compromise, or to pretend something is not as significant as it really is. Our desire for peace in our home can easily lead us away from truth, and we must be vigilant and determined to avoid this.
Question - are you proactive or reactive about your faith?
Fear and worry can destroy us – and make us no fun to be around. If you're consumed by fear and/or worry, you are not giving your bride what she deserves. Additionally, you are pulling her down, urging her to be fearful and worried.
Anger is natural and it's not wrong, but when we hold onto our anger, it becomes destructive to us and to those around us. Ongoing anger is a poison that will destroy us, our relationships, and those who love us. If you think you have a right to be angry, or want to hold onto your anger, please spend some time trying to see what your anger is doing to your bride, and to your children. See how your anger pushes people away, and how it makes it difficult or impossible for others to love you in a way that you can feel. Realise that unforgiveness is not a right, but rather a way of life that slowly attacks everyone you love.
This report
) but I still have a way to go. Thinking about it, I realise that second hand procrastination is hardly a loving thing to do my bride, family and friends.