Remind your wife of her purity

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.-Ephesians 5:25-28

If you have ever been to a Christan wedding or read Christian marriage books, you have no doubt heard that "husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church." If the authors went further, you have perhaps even heard that it means that he is to give himself up for her. Husbands are to love their wives sacrificially.  We are to commit to loving our wives fully, perhaps by setting aside some of our own selfish wants. 

Rarely, however, do these authors take it further.  Ephesians 5:26 says that "he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word." Husbands, your words matter.  So often, husbands are careless with their words.  They criticize, complain, or outright attack their wives.  Rather than restraining their tongues, they say things without thought. 

Men, you must seek to remind your wife of the gospel regularly.  You must remind them of their beauty in Christ.  Your words must serve to edify your wife. Your words must serve to purify her, or rather, remind her of her purity in Christ.

Your words matter.