contentious [kənˈtɛnʃəs]
adj
1. tending to argue or quarrel
2. causing or characterized by dispute; controversial
3. (Law) Law relating to a cause or legal business that is contested, esp a probate matter
contentiouslyadv
contentiousnessn
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003
Proverbs 27:15-16
"A continually dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike, whoever restrains her restrains the wind, and grasps oil with his right hand."
A woman who complains and causes strife is unable to be contained such as the wind and oil grasped with the hand. A contentious woman can only be controlled by God's will! Contentious behavior is not of God.
Provers 25:24
It is better to dwell in a corner on a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman."
Ouch! This one really hurt. It says my husband is better off living on the housetop than in a house with me!!!! When I am complaining, arguing and being the "devils advicit" it would be better for my husband to be away from me. This is contrary to everything the bible says about marriage, however, here he is saying it's better to get away. Staying away gives the other person time to feel at peace and it doesn't allow the contentious woman to continue to argue and fight.
Provers 12:4
"An excellent wife is a crown to her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones."
I should be a wife that my husband is proud to claim as his wife! When I cause shame or put him down in front of others (whether is there or not; whether I'm joking or not) this is not showing honor to Josh.
Proverbs 31:11-12
"The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life."
My husband should be able to trust me to uphold his heart and respect even when he is not around. Think before I speak, asking" Will what I say bring honor to God?"
This chapter is a bit to take and a lot for me to chew on. One of the reasons I'm doing a study on being a better wife is because I know I am lacking in honoring, submitting and supporting Josh. There were a few tough questions today:
When have I been a "nagging" wife?
When have I been the "crown"?
I would have to say that at times the "nagging" wife is more prevailent than the "crown". I believe things are getting better now, but bad habits are hard to kick. It is a daily struggle for me to remember that today is not about me and I am here to serve my Lord, my husband, my family and others. So many times I get caught up in what I NEED and forget to look around and see the need in others.
I do not always give Josh the honor he deserves, neither do I give God the glory He deserves. When I honor my husband I am also honoring God. When I honor God, I will honor my husband. I think this can be taken into the rest of our relationships as well. If I am not honoring God than I cannot lift others up. I cannot be a blessing, a crown!
A few special notes about some of the wonderful qualities of my love:
* Compassionate
* Caring
* Loving Father
* Loves me unconditionally
* Fixes those things in my life that are broken and need of repair
Does this sound like God? These are the qualities I wrote down that I appreciate about my husband and as I was reading the list I found that my heavenly Father has these same qualities. My husband may be quiet and a bit reserved, but he is a reflection of God's love for me. He's doing it right, now why can't I???
Am I being God's "crown"? Can he trust me? Do I complain and "nag" at God about what he's not doing in my life?
Lord,
Thank you for this lesson today. Thank you for providing a time for me to sit and reflect on your word. Lord you know the desires of my heart and you have allowed opportunities for me to grow closer to you. Help me Lord to put what I learn into action. Help me to accept your way in my life and not my own will. Lord, I ask that you bless my husband. Give him rest and your protection while at work. I thank you so much for the man that he is and the man that is to come through your will in his life. Thank you for your son Jesus Christ, the ultimate sacrifice of love for me. Knowing that you forgive me when I sin and that you still love me reminds me that I need to show that same type of love to others. Help guide my every step and every word from my mouth today.
Thank you, and Jesus Name Amen.
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