Love Your Husband – I Mean, Enemy
By: Donna Haug
September 10, 2003
When you read your Bible, does it pierce you like a sword or do you tend to skim over everything that does not directly apply to you? Let me give you an example. Read Luke 6:27-38. Is your first reaction to say, “I don’t have any enemies, so I can skim over this part.”? Sometimes it helps to substitute a name for the word “enemy”. You may find that sword piercing a little deeper then you expected!
Wives, this one is for you!
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Luke 6:27-38 (D.R.V. – Donna’s Revised Version)
But I say to you, the wife who hears: Love your husband, do good things to him when he is irritated with you, bless him when he criticizes you and pray for him when he takes advantage of you. When he insults you for doing something good, keep doing good things. And when he takes the last piece of chocolate cake, do not withhold the whipping cream either. Give to him when he asks of you – even if you have a headache. And when he takes the remote control from you, do not ask for it back. And just as you want him to do to you, you also do to him.
But if you love him when he’s romantic and brings home flowers, what credit is that to you? For even TEENAGERS love those who love them! And if you are good to him when he cooks supper for you, what credit is that to you? For even TEENAGERS do the same. And if you make that special meal for him hoping he’ll finally fix that broken door handle, what credit is that to you? For even TEENAGERS are nice to their parents when hoping for favors! But love your husband, do good things to him, and make that special meal, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be daughters of the Most High, for He is kind to unthankful and insensitive people. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
Don’t judge him when he freaks at the kids and you won’t be judged when it’s your turn to lose your cool. Don’t give up on him when he fails, and you will be endured too. Forgive him when he comes home late – again – and you will be forgiven when he comes home on time and supper is not ready! Give joyfully from your heart and it will be given you: good measure, pressed down shaken together and running over will be put into your heart. For with the same measure you use – whether teaspoon or bucket – it will be measured back to you.
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Did you feel that sword digging in there under those ribs? Good! That’s what it was supposed to do! Was it not applicable to you? OK, try your wife, your teenager, your boss, or your neighbor. We may not think of these people as enemies. We are too civilized for that! But there are times when those closest to us are harder to get along with then our enemies.
As you read God’s Word today, let it penetrate your heart. Find out where the sword hurts … and think on THESE things!
AMEN or OUCH?!
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! TRUST JESUS NOW
Read more articles by Donna Haug or search for articles on the same topic or others.
Donna, it is a while since you wrote this classical piece, yet it still has its savour. I enjoyed it, not because I'm a man but because I only need to apply the rule of opposite to see myself in the mirror you placed for wives. Maybe you could ask your husband to do a piece and call it, "Love your wife...I mean, enemy.
This was the best I read in a long time. Thanks!!
I am so glad to know that missionaries are just ordinary people. From a male perspective I have a few comments but I will stick to one; I am always amazed when I get that remote control and have to be reminded that the female species can not concentrate on 6 channels at once. Well thanks for another good read.
Davy
Ouch and AMEN that's for sure! Wonderful article. Being married to my husband for over eight years it sure helps to get an Eye-Opener like this! I know this will help keep my focused! Praise GOD for blessings like you! He has given you words to speak to us "Wives" that are in need of either a little or "major" fine-tuning.
God bless you.
All my Love in CHRIST,
Lisa Velez :)
Donna, what can I say except agree with everyone else! This was so very, very good! I would never have thought of tying that verse to our husbands in this way - but what a though provoker (and "ouch" inducer). Top work! With love, Deb
