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Slapshot........The Bible does more than just warn against destructive habits, it also gives practical advice on how to improve the quality of family life.
God’s Word says: “Husbands ought to be loving their wives as their own bodies.” (Ephesians 5:28) Rather than taking their wives for granted, husbands are urged to dwell with them “according to knowledge, assigning them honour as to a weaker vessel, the feminine one.” (1 Peter 3:7) Regarding disputes that may arise, husbands are advised: “Keep on loving your wives and do not be bitterly angry with them.” (Colossians 3:19) Do you not agree that a husband who applies this counsel will earn the love and respect of his wife?
To wives, the Bible gives this direction: “Let wives be in subjection to their husbands as to the Lord, because a husband is head of his wife as the Christ also is head of the congregation . . . The wife should have deep respect for her husband.” (Ephesians 5:22, 23, 33) But that does not mean he has to be tyrant or dictatorial – a wife still keeps her dignity.
Regarding child training, the Bible’s advice to parents is that you communicate with your children “when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:7) Fathers in particular are instructed to provide their children with moral guidance and loving discipline. “Fathers, do not be irritating your children, but go on bringing them up in the discipline and mental-regulating of Jehovah,” says God’s Word. (Ephesians 6:4) In turn, children are told: “Be obedient to your parents,” and “honour your father and your mother.”— Ephesians 6:1, 2.