How Godly Men Love Others
Welcome back to our series, 6 Characteristics of a Godly Husband! Last post we talked about family approval, this time we’ll learn how a godly man should love others.
What would it be like to find a man who is so in love with God that the way he loves others only proves his devotion all the more?
How can we distinguish godly men from worldly men and how they love?
Loves animals
A godly man who loves animals takes care of their needs. Proverbs 12:10 says, “A righteous man cares for the needs of his animals.” A righteous man looks after what God has put into his care because he knows that all animals of this world are God’s (Job 12:10; Psalm 50:10).
Am I saying that he has to freak out every time he sees a puppy because puppies are absolutely adorable? Of course not. What I’m saying is that he takes care of them and doesn’t abuse them in any way (Proverbs 27:23).
The way he treats animals is a window into showing how he treats those who can’t defend or help themselves.
“Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.” Psalm 36:6
Loves children
A friend and I awhile back were talking about how we want to be disciplinarians first, friends second when we’re parents someday.
Proverbs 29:17 says, “Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire. ” Loving a child brings peace. Sometimes loving a child is the best way to discipline them. I want my future husband to be able to discipline our children out of love, not abuse, in order for them to grow.
It’s also important to think about how he disciplines. Colossians 3:20-21 says, “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.” We shouldn’t constantly nag our kids, that’s not love. We need to be strict, yet show compassion in order to love them well (Psalm 103:13).
A godly husband knows that children are gifts from God and we should treat them as such. I want my future husband and I to dedicate our children to the Lord (Psalm 127:3-5; 1 Samuel 1:27-28).
“He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’” Mark 10:14
Loves others
Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind towards one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” I want my husband to be a kind man. Not just some nice guy, not just some dude who doesn’t hang around the wrong crowd, but a godly man who loves others deeply, genuinely, and generously (Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Galatians 6:9-10). I want a man who loves his enemies as he loves himself (Matthew 5:44; 7:12).
I’m going to be honest, I’m not the easiest person to live or work with, so I desire a husband who will be patient with me and will comfort me in times of stress (1 Corinthians 16:14; 4:3).
John 15:12 says, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” A man who loves as God loves is a man who loves others indeed.
“Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14
If my future husband loves God, he’ll love God’s creation: animals, children, his neighbor, his wife…
I want him to lead me not only in loving God and loving him, but loving the people around me. We can’t lead others to Jesus without loving them like Jesus loved.
If my husband can’t love others, how will he love me?
God bless,
M.A.
