My non-Christian wife led me to stop attending worship, but I’m trying to come back. Do you have any advice?
Question:
Hi!
I am a strong Christian husband married to a non-Christian wife. I realize I can't change her or make her do anything. Only God can change her. I do have to admit that it really hurts me because before we got married she went to church with me. After we got married, she lost interest and stopped going on all accounts and I, too, stopped going. At the moment I have fallen into Satan's trap; however, I am coming out again.
I would accept any right information here.
Thanks for your help.
Answer:
"Strong" is not the word I would apply to someone who allowed others to influence him to stop worshiping God and who says he is currently in Satan's trap, though he is getting out. Don't get me wrong, I am very happy that you realize that you have a problem and that you are working on correcting that problem. However, a Christian needs to keep an accurate view of his situation. "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith" (Romans 12:3).
Because you fell away, you damaged your ability to set a good example for your wife. Not that it can't be repaired, but you are starting with a handicap. Your leaving the church just justified her departure in her mind. Though talking to wives, the same general idea in the following applies to husbands. "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, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear" (I Peter 3:1-2). What you do counts far more than what you say.
To repair this breach, you need to get your life right with God. As your life improves because you are once again following God's teachings, your wife will see this and be encouraged to make it apart of her life as well. "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (I Timothy 4:12).
