Diana LéGere
1. Be an Initiator
God took the initiative with us first (1 John 4:19). Jesus didn’t expect people to come to him; he looked for them. Loving your wife as Jesus loved the church means pursuing her to maintain and strengthen the relationship and the family unit. He sets the marriage firmly on the “rock.”
Leading is foremost, acting. It takes time. Godly leaders care enough to step up and devise plans. Love motivates them to make the first move in everything. They are responsible for the marriage. There is no room for laziness and they refuse to accept the status quo. They aren’t waiting for someone else. Well, if she won’t do ___, then I’m not going to___.
2. Lead by Example
A godly leader will encourage his wife and set the spiritual tone in the relationship. When men encourage prayer, devotions, problem-solving, and take time to spend quality time together, a woman will feel valued. Women trust a man who values and cares about her enough to sacrifice his time.
A lazy, passive attitude will not earn her respect. Women want a confident man who makes sound decisions and has a plan that looks out for their wellbeing.
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children.” )Ephesians 5:1(
Leading by example, isn’t knowing all the answers and making all the rules. It’s aligning what you say and do to ensure you are displaying godly behavior.
3. Love Unconditionally
God has ordained a man’s authority, but he has not given man superiority. Husbands and wives are equal with different roles, as God and Jesus are equal but have different functions.
The biblical idea of leadership has nothing to do with one person being the boss over everything and the other complying. If biblically sound, the husband and wife are partners answering to Christ with the husband’s greater responsibility in the relationship.
Men are to be the leaders of their home for one sole purpose: to lead the family toward Jesus. In the same way, Jesus points us to the Father. A man’s goal should not be his bank account or climbing the corporate ladder but leading his family in love to pursue God.
4. Lead by Serving
During the Passover Festival meal, Jesus did something that shocked his disciples. He loved them and set the tone for all of humankind.
“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” )John 13:3-5(
An essential aspect of leadership in your home is sacrificial service. When Jesus finished serving his disciples with the good foot washing, he told them explicitly to follow this example and do as he had done (John 13:14-16).
As men serve others, they demonstrate their care for their family’s needs and do what they can to help them succeed (Mathew 20:25-28). They place a stake in committing to nurture the emotional wellbeing of everyone. Do you put other’s needs above your own?
