Spiritual Leadership (thoughts for girls)

Spiritual Leadership from a man (your husband) is not simply evaluated on whether he comes home and spends an hour teaching you from the word of God or praying with you in some sort of profound charismatic manner, rather, it is the ability and drive within that man to live his life, motives, actions, words, reactions, decisions and thoughts in light of and according to the Word of God. If he is a man who lives with faith and holiness in the little parts of life (taxes, friendships, loyalty, fruit of the spirit, day to day decisions, tone of voice and expectations of you) then he is manifesting spiritual leadership by virtue of being the example that you can step in behind and follow through life, knowing that God is glorified by his example and the changes in your life as you follow his example.

For the wives:
Know and notice these things about your husband and encourage him in the details of his holiness. Do not compare him with other husbands. God has made HIM the example that YOU need to follow. Be careful not to let your own spiritual pride get in the way...you are not more holy than your husband or meant to lead or delineate what his walk with God should look like. Humbly ask God to show you the strengths that God has given your husband and learn from him. Chances are very good that he does not gossip as much as you do, that he is more loyal and reliable than you are, that he takes God's word more seriously in life choices than you do or that he excels you in dozens of other areas. If you feel like he is not a spiritual leader, chances are that the actual problem is that you are not a spiritual follower. Do not follow the deceived path of Eve who thought she knew best for both her husband and her family, but only managed to lead the whole world into sin.

For the single girls who so desperately desire a husband:
Do not be enticed by the idea that Spiritual Leadership in a man is best demonstrated by or confined to up front talent (bible study leading, guitar playing, teaching and eloquent praying) or to polished vocalizations of Biblical knowledge (remember that knowledge puffs up). Rather seek a man whose life (not his "devos") is characterized by sound judgement and upright decisions that measure up to the calling of God's word. Is he honest (even in the little things that don't hurt anyone and might bring him a measure of loss)? Does he speak poorly of others (even when they would never find out)? Does he treat people with kindness and consideration (regardless of his mood, just because God has mandated such behavior)? Does he desire to be more holy each new day (not read his bible more, necessarily, but measure his life against Christ's)? Does he keep his word (even when it is not convenient)? Is he someone that you could step in behind and in following his example become more like Christ yourself?