Backslidden Wife

The Backslidden Wife

Q.   My wife is a professing Christian;  however, for the past two or three months she has been living carelessly, and she seems to know that she has not walking with God as she should. She has not participated in the communion service at church for the past two months. Should I talk to her about this and try to help her? How can a husband help his wife when she becomes cold and indefferent to the things of God?

A.   Your wife's lack of participation in the communion services indicates that carelessness is not her only problem. Whatever is wrong, she must feel that it disqualifies her for communion. The requirement for taking communion is found in 1 Cor 11 vs 28: "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup."
  There are a few things you might do to help your wife. First, study such chapter as 1 Cor 7 vs 14, Eph 5; Col 3; and 1 Peter 3 to discover what the Bible says about a husband's behaviour toward his wife. Are you disobeying any of the Lord's commands to you as a husband? Next, examine your life to make sure you're not doing anything to encourage her careless living. Be sure that you are not the problem your wife is wrestling with. When we are trying to help someone else, it is always good to first examine ourselves.
  Do not forget that as God's child you have a right to ask His guidance in everything,  including this problem. Trust the Holy Spirit to lead You in helping your wife.
   As you are sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading, you may find that you need to apply, to your situation, both parts of James 4 vs 7, submitting yourself to God and resisting the Devil's work in your wife's life. Take your stand with God and against the Devil.
   Finally, be sure you do not tell others about your wife's problem. She needs your trust and confidence now, more than ever. Love and righteous living,  with the guidance of the Holy Spirit,  will help your wife overcome her problem.