
Our Attitudes in our Homes Must Reflect Christ.
1 Peter 3:7 (NIV)
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
Earlier this week, I wrote about hindrances to prayer, which is the topic we are studying at The Well Church of Lewisville. As mentioned on Tuesday, our heart must be right when we come into prayer. The hindrance I spoke about on Tuesday was self-righteousness and insincerity. Sincerity and humbleness is required when coming to God with our requests. This is just one of eight hindrances that I have identified throughout scripture.
Today I am going to talk about another hindrance to prayer, which is the way our hearts are toward our family. Although Peter was discussing the attitudes of husbands toward their wives, I believe this principal also pertains to our hearts toward our family in general. Allow me to explain.
One thing to remember is that scripture does not contradict itself. We must look at it through a broader context. The fifth commandment given by God to Moses in Deuteronomy 5 is “Honor your father and mother” (5:16). Secondly, Paul says to the Ephesians, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4, NIV). Solomon writes in Proverbs, “a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof” (19:13). As you can see, the Lord wants our hearts toward our families to be pure. We are to edify our spouse, our children, and our parents. If your heart towards your family does not reflect the love of Christ then how can your heart reflect Christ outside of your home? Isn’t this considered hypocrisy?
We must make every effort to reflect the love of Christ toward our family when coming to the Lord in prayer. Peter tells that by not doing so, our prayers will be hindered. There is a difference between false humility toward our family and a sincere attitude of love towards them. Our Christian heart begins in the home. When that attitude is right, then we can line up with God’s perfect will and submit our requests to Him with a pure heart. In doing so, your prayers will be like a fragrant offering to our sovereign God.
Be blessed in all you do!
Your brother in Christ,
Tim
1 Peter 3:7 (NIV)
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
Earlier this week, I wrote about hindrances to prayer, which is the topic we are studying at The Well Church of Lewisville. As mentioned on Tuesday, our heart must be right when we come into prayer. The hindrance I spoke about on Tuesday was self-righteousness and insincerity. Sincerity and humbleness is required when coming to God with our requests. This is just one of eight hindrances that I have identified throughout scripture.
Today I am going to talk about another hindrance to prayer, which is the way our hearts are toward our family. Although Peter was discussing the attitudes of husbands toward their wives, I believe this principal also pertains to our hearts toward our family in general. Allow me to explain.
One thing to remember is that scripture does not contradict itself. We must look at it through a broader context. The fifth commandment given by God to Moses in Deuteronomy 5 is “Honor your father and mother” (5:16). Secondly, Paul says to the Ephesians, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4, NIV). Solomon writes in Proverbs, “a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof” (19:13). As you can see, the Lord wants our hearts toward our families to be pure. We are to edify our spouse, our children, and our parents. If your heart towards your family does not reflect the love of Christ then how can your heart reflect Christ outside of your home? Isn’t this considered hypocrisy?
We must make every effort to reflect the love of Christ toward our family when coming to the Lord in prayer. Peter tells that by not doing so, our prayers will be hindered. There is a difference between false humility toward our family and a sincere attitude of love towards them. Our Christian heart begins in the home. When that attitude is right, then we can line up with God’s perfect will and submit our requests to Him with a pure heart. In doing so, your prayers will be like a fragrant offering to our sovereign God.
Be blessed in all you do!
Your brother in Christ,
Tim