8 Great Ways to Honor Your Husband: “What is Honor?”

by Marilynn Chadwick

What is honor and why is it important? To honor someone is to treat them with admiration or respect. Honor conveys dignity, honesty, and integrity.

Several years ago my husband’s beloved college basketball coach, North Carolina’s legendary Dean Smith, passed away. Next to his own father, David says Coach Smith was the most significant man in his life. Even superstar Michael Jordan called Coach Smith his “second father.” Why? Because along with great basketball, Coach Smith taught his players about life.  

When I first met my basketball player-turned-preacher husband, I was a University of Georgia girl and a die-hard football fan. Basketball, not so much. But I loved David, and I grew to love basketball. Soon after we got married, Coach Smith sent me a handwritten note welcoming me to the “Carolina Family.” He always remembered my alma mater and my college major. He knew our children by name. Seriously. Who does that?

After Coach Smith’s passing, I was able to write an editorial honoring my husband’s legendary basketball coach. Responses to my article, some from well-known leaders in our community, caused me to wonder if our culture is thirsty for honor. Public reaction to Dean Smith’s passing seemed to convey a nostalgic yearning for role models, for dads, for men of honor.

In fact, a prominent defense attorney in our community sent me a handwritten note sharing how his own dad had been such an honorable man. A federal judge and a bank president both weighed in on the subject of honor. Young moms wrote to tell me about their “amazing husbands” and vowed to be more intentional to honor them. Had I touched a nerve?  

Maybe it’s because honor is lacking in our homes. Families today are in trouble. Studies show that 70% of divorces are now initiated by women. Honor was God’s idea in the first place—especially in marriage. No wonder we’re thirsty for this sometimes-forgotten virtue. What would happen if we sparked a movement of honor in our homes, our communities, and our world?

Over the next two weeks, we will explore honor from a biblical point of view; specifically addressing wives. I want to give every wife 8 practical tips on how you can begin to honor your husband and create a culture of honor in your home. My dream is that together, we really could see a movement of honor that would spill over into a hurting and broken world.

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This series is adapted from the book, 8 Great Ways to Honor Your Husband by Marilynn Chadwick. To download your free PDF copy of this book, please visit our website by clicking here!

8 Great Ways to Honor Your Wife: “Becoming One”

by David Chadwick

Remember the definition of honor: “to regard with great respect, to prize, to admire, to give special recognition, to demonstrate high respect or great esteem for someone.” What a rich and powerful word!

I have spent the past two weeks giving husbands tools for how they can honor their wives. We wrap up our journey today. I pray these “8 Greats” give you practical ways to interact with your wife and bring honor into your marriage.

By the way, next week Marilynn will do the same with you wives: 8 Great ways to honor your husbands.

We see the theme of honor interwoven throughout the Bible (Exodus 20:12, Romans 12:10, 1 Peter 3:7). It is clearly important to the heart of the Father.

Let’s look back on the “8 Great Ways to Honor Your Wife.”

• Trust Her Gut

• Be a Man of God

• Encourage Her Gifts

• Respect Her Opinion

• Ask This Question Often: “How is Your Heart?”

• Share Your Heart

• Be a Guardian and Gardener

• Use Words Wisely

I believe that if you lead the way and start to put these tools into practice, you will see a culture of honor increase in your marriage and your family.

Romans 12:10 says, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” It’s the one place in the Bible where we are called to compete with one another: in giving honor!

Imagine what will happen if you and your wife begin to try and outdo one another in honor. Love will increase. The home will get healthier. Jesus will be glorified.

The goal of marriage is to see two very different, unique, special individuals become one. As two become one, biblical marriage becomes the most beautiful reflection of the love between Jesus Christ and the bride.

Let’s reclaim honor in our marriages! It is essential to accomplishing this goal of two becoming one and seeing the Gospel of Jesus displayed through our lives.

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This series is adapted from the book, 8 Great Ways to Honor Your Wife by David Chadwick. To download your free PDF copy of this book, please visit our website by clicking here!

8 Great Ways to Honor Your Wife: “Use Words Wisely”

by David Chadwick

Marilynn and I have coined what we call “8 Greats” for different areas of our lives that require practical, biblical wisdom. We are spending two weeks looking at 8 great ways husbands can honor their wives.

Husbands, today’s tool is this: use words wisely!

Words are powerful. Proverbs 18:21 says “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

Words can do damage or they can bring healing (Proverbs 12:18). In fact, Proverbs 16:24 says, “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

I want to see a generation of men rise up who know how to rightly use their words. To be wise voices who bring perspective and healing.

Do you remember hearing the ridiculous phrase, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”? What a lie! Words hurt. They sting. And are long remembered.

Speak words of life to your beloved. Things like, “I am so honored to be your husband.” Then, say this publicly before others and it will really get you brownie points. Tell her, “I am never leaving you.” “Thank you for marrying me.” “I am so grateful for all you do for me.”

If you have never said anything like this before to your bride, try it today! Take one or two of these examples I have given you and use them. Watch what happens! Where you have felt distance, there will be closeness. Where disappointments have been commonplace, hope will return.

Then watch as you two become one!

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This series is adapted from the book, 8 Great Ways to Honor Your Wife by David Chadwick. To download your free PDF copy of this book, please visit our website by clicking here!