Did you know that in 1^st John we see 46 different forms of the word love?  I have been teaching through this book to our ladies during our Monday night Bible study.  Love envelops the Epistles of John.  It not only adorns this book, but is a consistent theme throughout the entire Word of God.

 We have been learning that love is more than an emotion. While emotion is attached to love, it is in actuality an act of the will. We choose to love. And while a person wants to be told they are loved; they want to be shown even more. Therefore, true love is active, not passive.  We are told in 1 John 3:18, “Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” So let’s take a look at what loving our spouse in deed and truth looks like. (With special thanks to my husband who has written the part for men.)

 Wife

 My husband says that most men are fairly easy to please. They basically need three things – food, sex, and respect (and not necessarily in that order). While this may be true and is certainly a good starting point, there are many ways a wife can show love on a daily basis. The way you show your husband love will probably look different than the way I show my husband love. So do not use the below list as an excuse for falling into the trap of comparison. This is always detrimental to a marriage. Instead, use these suggestions as a means of sparking your creative imagination and love your husband in a way that makes him see the truth in Proverbs 18:22. “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.”

• Create an atmosphere of peace in the home.

• Pray for his life and success daily.

• Help him maintain male friendships by allowing him time away with the boys.

• When he has had a hard day, romance him in the evening.

• Praise him in public.

• Save money in a jar and buy him something he really wants.

• Build him up in the eyes of your children. Make him their greatest hero.

• When he asks you to do something, do it with pleasure.

• Support his life ambitions in both word and deed.

• Fix his favorite meal or dessert on occasion.

• Don’t complain.

• Be quick to say I’m sorry and even quicker to forgive.

• Be a woman he can trust. Don’t share more than you should with others.

• When he arrives home from work, allow him some quiet time before discussing the day.

• Maintain your health and beauty.

• Pray for his weaknesses, praise his strengths.

• Put your husband before your children and make sure he knows that he will always hold that place.

• Always express thankfulness for all he does for your family whether it is big or small.

• The next time you are tempted to usurp his authority, don’t.

• Surround yourself with friends who want to see your marriage last and listen to them.

• Speak kindly and watch the tone of your voice. Avoid being loud or whiny.

• Be there in his hour of need.

• Be content with what you have, not always demanding more.

• Be slow to speak and quick to listen.

• Drop an encouraging note or scripture in his lunch or brief- case.

• Send romantic texts (just make sure it goes to the right person).

• Treat him with respect and teach the children to do the same.

• Begin each day with a hug. End each night with a kiss.

• Add to this list continually.

Husband

Husbands before you read the list below, prayerfully consider that your wife is a precious vessel in which to treasure and that this list is not a checklist to say, “Okay I have done my part”, but a guide to help reaffirm her as your “help meet.” She was created from the man, not from his head to rule over him, nor from his foot to be subjugated by him, but from his side to be his close ally and trusted confidant.  As her husband the Bible commands you to “wash her with the water of the word” this means to speak into her life and help her live through the scriptures you share with her day by day. The word husband is the word used to be a dresser of vines, one who cultivates and not that of dictator or tyrant. You are her spiritual head and it is your loving obligation to lead her into the truth of God’s Word together. Now consider some of the following to help strengthen her first, and your own position of authority second:

•  After the kids are in bed, slow dance by candlelight or firelight.

• Do something around the house that your wife usually does.

• Take up a new hobby or interest together or share those you already have.

• Praise your wife in front of the children.

• Be trustworthy.

• Pray with and for your wife.

• Exercise together.

• Be the Spiritual leader you are called to be by reading scripture together.

• Let her talk.  Be slow to speak, quick to listen.

• Keep pictures of your family in your wallet or around the office.

• Be the sole provider for your family.

• Schedule a monthly (or weekly, if possible) date with your wife.

• Write her love letters.

• Fill her car up with gas when it’s low.

• Make your anniversary very special.

• Send her flowers on your children’s birthdays.

• Encourage her to spend time with godly women.

• Always express thankfulness for all she does for the family whether it is big or small.

• Use physical affection often -a hand on the shoulder, neck rub, stroke on the cheek, etc.

• Watch the tone of your voice. Be kind, don’t yell.

• Always forgive.

• Be a good father to your children.

• Let her sleep in occasionally and serve her favorite breakfast in bed.

• Add to this list continually.

Note: Looking for a study on love from 1st John? Click here for a verse by verse study for women through the Epistles of John.