A few years ago, the women of my church ventured on a quest to try and better understand the opposite sex. We took an anonymous survey of the men in the congregation and asked one simple question: What can your woman do to show you she truly loves you? We then spent several Bible study sessions looking at the guys’ answers. The goal was to consider their answers in the light of God’s Word—not to judge or validate them, but to seek God’s wisdom about our relationships so that we can make them (the relationships) better.The answers were not surprising: more sex (for the married men), more respect, more trust of his decision-making, less talking, less bossiness. While every answer was important and, biblically speaking, required our serious effort, one answer was especially significant: “I want my wife to love God more than she loves me.”Wow, now that is a truly God-fearing man! Indeed, whether we’re single or already married isn’t that the kind of man we Christian women want? If so, then shouldn’t we be the kind of woman that kind of man wants? There are lots of ways to consider that question and lots of scriptures to turn to for guidance about it. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. (1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV)I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. (1 Timothy 2:9-10 NIV)
So, what do these Scriptures have to do with loving God more than loving your man, present or future?
