“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord” (Proverbs 18:22 NASB).

Many husbands are going to have to answer to God for how they have treated their wives (cf. 1 Peter 3:7). It is sad how many husbands do not recognize the precious gift they were given and end up demeaning and criticizing their wives in their homes and in the public.

Wives are a gift from God (cf. Proverbs 19:14) and should be treated accordingly. A prudent woman of good, honorable character greatly blesses a man’s life and becomes the crown of his life (Proverbs 12:4). Her greatest value does not come from her beauty or even her personality, but from her service to God.

Notice how the Book of Proverbs ends: “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates” (Proverbs 31:30-31). Instead of criticizing and talking down to his wife, a husband needs to praise her and show her how much he appreciates her.

–Jeremy Sprouse