What should I be looking for in a wife?

Answer

The most crucial personal relationship that a man can have, apart from his spiritual connection with God through the Lord Jesus Christ, is his relationship with his wife. When seeking a spouse, the primary principle is to find a woman who has a personal faith in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul advises us not to be “unequally yoked” with unbelievers «Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? », (2 Corinthians 6:14). Without complete agreement on this fundamental issue, a godly and satisfying marriage is unlikely to succeed.

Nevertheless, marrying a fellow believer does not automatically ensure being “equally yoked.” Just because a woman is a Christian does not necessarily mean she is a suitable spiritual match for you. Do your spiritual goals align? Do your doctrinal beliefs match? Do you share the same fervor for God? The qualities of a potential wife are of utmost importance. Many men make the mistake of marrying based solely on emotional or physical attraction, which can lead to failure.

What are some godly qualities a man should seek in a wife? Scripture provides principles to help paint a picture of a godly woman. Firstly, she should be fully committed in her own spiritual relationship with the Lord. The apostle Paul instructs wives to submit to their husbands as unto the Lord (Ephesians 5:22-24). If a woman is not surrendered to the Lord, she may not view submission to her husband as essential for her spiritual well-being. We cannot meet the expectations of others without first allowing God to fill us with His presence. A wom

An individual with God at the center of her life is a suitable candidate for a wife.

Paul also provides some character traits for a woman in his guidance concerning leaders in the church. “In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not gossips but self-controlled and faithful in everything” «Likewise must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. », (1 Timothy 3:11). In essence, this is a woman who is humble, discerning when to speak and when to remain silent, and is capable of standing alongside her husband confidently. She is a woman whose primary focus is on her relationship with the Lord and her spiritual development.

The responsibilities of marriage carry more weight for the husband, as God’s order designates him as the head of his wife and family. This leadership is patterned after the bond between Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:25-33). It is a relationship founded on love. Just as Christ loved the church and sacrificed Himself for it, the husband is to love his wife as he loves his own body. Therefore, a man’s personal spiritual connection with the Lord is paramount to the success of his marriage and family. Willingness to sacrifice and the resolve to serve for the betterment of his marriage are the hallmarks of a spiritually mature man who honors God. Thoughtfully selecting a wife based on biblical qualities is crucial, but equally important is a man’s continuous spiritual growth and his submission to God’s will in his life. A man who strives to become the person God intends him to be will be able to assist his wife in becoming the woman God desires her to be and will be able to cultivate the marriage into the union that God, he, and his wife aspire to achieve.