If you are a woman of God who is married to an unbelieving husband, you are sure to face challenges in your marriage that are a result of your different beliefs. This marriage is referred to as being unequally yoked. A wife who wants live obediently and submit to the Lord’s command to submit to her husband, may find it very difficult to be gracious in the face of his contrary lifestyle and conduct. Without your husband’s spiritual leadership, married life can be rather conflicting and challenging if he is choosing to walk a different path (Amos 3:3). But there is hope! There is always hope in God’s Word.
A wife in an unequally yoked marriage can choose to be a defeated wife, a bitter wife, a rebellious wife, OR she can submit to God’s Word and be a gracious wife! She has to decide whether she will live according to the circumstances that may be a result of her husband’s ungodly conduct or if she will trust in God and live according to what He has instructed her to do. A gracious wife trusts in God’s will and is yielded to His Word. To be gracious means one is kind, courteous, respectful, compassionate, and merciful. A gracious wife looks to the Lord as an example of how to extend grace to her husband.
Some wives question whether they should leave their unbelieving husband or if their marriage is a mistake that is doomed to fail. However, take a look at what God says in His Word and be encouraged!
1 Corinthians 7:13-14 “13 And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away.14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife…”
Ephesians 5:22-24; 33 ” Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything….33… let the wife see that she respects her husband.”
There is hope for the unbelieving husband through his believing wife interceding on his behalf. He is sanctified through her!
If you are married to an unbelieving man, do not try to correct him by quoting Scripture, especially if he is adverse to hearing about the Lord. Don’t preach at him about his unbelief. If he does not want you to share with him about your walk with the Lord, it’s polite to not force it upon him. Our Father is a gentleman and although He wants us in His will, He gives us the power to make our own choices. Simply, let your life be the testimony by which he sees, learns about, and experiences the grace of God. Let him experience God’s grace through your graciousness as you walk out your role as his help meet. Your husband may not be a believer at this time. He may be failing to exercise his spiritual leadership at this time; however, in the future, he may be won over by your gracious conduct. Amen♡
1 Peter 3:1-2 ” Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.”
God is good!!! Never stop believing for your husband to turn to the Lord!
Signed~
a Gracious Wife,
Cassandra Salamone. All rights reserved.
