“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam; and while he slept, He took one of his ribs or a part of his side and closed up the [place with] flesh. 22 And the rib or part of his side which the Lord God had taken from the man He built up and made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 Then Adam said, This [creature] is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of a man. Genesis 2:21-23 AMP

Wives, be subject to your husbands [subordinate and adapt yourselves to them], as is right and fitting and your proper duty in the Lord. Colossians 3:18 AMP

God created man and out of Adam He took and built Eve. Eve comes from Adam and is created to complement him and complete him. He needs her femininity and she needs his masculinity. They are never as effective alone as they are together. The two once more become one. The husband is required by God to love and protect his wife. The wife is blessed with the ability to adapt to her husband and it is her responsibility to do so.

Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as [a service] to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife as Christ is the Head of the church, Himself the Savior of [His] body. 24 As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands. Ephesians 5:22-24 AMP

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is very great, but I speak concerning [the relation of] Christ and the church. 33 However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly]. Ephesians 5:31-33 AMP

Wives, as you submit and adapt yourself to the Lord Jesus, submit and adapt yourself also to your own husbands. Nowhere in the word of God does it say that all women should be submitted to all men, but it does say that wives are to be submitted to their own husbands.

In like manner, you married women, be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate yourselves as being secondary to and dependent on them, and adapt yourselves to them], so that even if any do not obey the Word [of God], they may be won over not by discussion but by the [godly] lives of their wives, 2 When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your reverence [for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer to, revere him–to honor, esteem, appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, to admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply love, and enjoy your husband]. 1 Peter 3:1-2 AMP

The greatest mistake many wives make is to try to change their husbands, especially by nagging. This is counter-productive and ineffective. You need to let God change him. God gave women an ability to influence their husbands and it is important that they use this power for good and not for selfish or evil motives. The Lord says that men will be won over, not by discussion, but by the godly example of their wives. Wives, have faith in God to minister to your husband and to take care of you and your needs – don’t give way to hysterical fears or let anxieties unnerve you – trust the truth of His word and obey His leading. He will work with you and in you.

Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes; 4 But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For it was thus that the pious women of old who hoped in God were [accustomed] to beautify themselves and were submissive to their husbands [adapting themselves to them as themselves secondary and dependent upon them]. 6 It was thus that Sarah obeyed Abraham [following his guidance and acknowledging his headship over her by] calling him lord (master, leader, authority). And you are now her true daughters if you do right and let nothing terrify you [not giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you]. 1 Peter 3:3-6 AMP

God is not opposed to make-up, jewelry, or nice clothes, but He wants you to know that your appearance is not the most attractive thing about you. Your true beauty comes from your heart – the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is not anxious or wrought up – this is very precious in the sight of God.

The greatest need of a wife is to be cherished by her husband and the greatest need of a husband is to be respected by his wife. Wives – always respect and reverence your husband; notice him; regard him; honor him; prefer him; venerate and esteem him; defer to him; praise him; love and admire him exceedingly; appreciate, prize, and adore him; admire him; praise him; be devoted to him; deeply love and enjoy your husband.