The Role of Spouses in Making Decisions

The Role of Spouses in Making Decisions
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman

"The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice" (Proverbs 12:15).

"It's amazing how similar at times the voice of my wife is to the voice of the Holy Spirit," I said to the Christian audience.

When John Benson decided to make some financial investments in a new business venture, he was very excited about the possibilities for a handsome financial return. His business and financial background had served him well. John felt strongly that his wife Jenny would not understand the complexity of his investment, so he casually mentioned it to her. When she asked a few simple questions, John became defensive and justified his plans for investing in the venture.

A year later, after investing a large sum of money, John received a phone call from the investment company. All the investors who had put money in the company were going to lose their investment with no ability to recoup it.

This story could be retold repeatedly across the world. God's principles for making decisions require input from both spouses, regardless of their level of expertise. I learned this lesson the hard way after making many independent decisions outside the counsel of my wife. Today, whenever I am faced with a major decision, I first consult the Lord, and then I consult my wife. She may disagree totally with something that seems very straightforward to me, but I have learned not to move forward if we are not in agreement.

She does not need to know all the details, nor does she have to have expertise. God has placed in her a "chip" called "intuition." That intuition cannot explain why she feels the way she does, she just knows when something is not right. Conversely, husbands bring a totally different perspective that may give an alternative side to a situation that the wife has never considered. God has called married couples to be one. If we seek to make decisions independently, then we benefit from only 50% of the intended resource God has placed within our grasp. In marriage, this stewardship of decisions requires two people. God blesses this union by honoring the decisions made with the motive of glorifying God and relying on His Spirit to lead in our decision-making process.

Before you make a major decision, get confirmation for your decision from your spouse.

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Today's Prayer

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. O Lord, truly I am your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have freed me from my chains" (Psalm 116:15-16). Lord, I am your servant. I look forward to the day when I am no longer held by the chains of human frailty and earthly concerns. Please help me, while I am still on this earth, to be free from the strongholds that threaten my Christian life and testimony. Guide and direct me in every thing, and keep me from harm and evil; that I might be a blessing to you and to those around me. In Jesus' name, Amen.