In the world of Christian service, it’s easy to celebrate spiritual gifts like preaching, singing, prophesying, healing, and teaching. These gifts are beautiful, powerful, and God-given. But there’s something even more important in God’s eyes: the fruits of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…” These are not glamorous abilities we show off on platforms. They are quiet proofs of maturity. They reflect who we are, not just what we can do.
You can be a firebrand preacher and still be proud. You can sing like angels and still lack patience. You can prophesy accurately and still treat people with contempt. Sadly, we sometimes place more value on being “gifted” than being Christlike.
God desires our character before charisma. The gifts draw men, but it is the fruit that keeps them. You may attract a spouse, an audience, or an opportunity with your talent, but only fruit will sustain relationships, influence, and favor.
The Bible warns in Matthew 7:16, “By their fruit you will recognize them.” Not their gifting, not their title, but their fruit. This means our love, humility, gentleness, and faithfulness are what truly matter to God.
In your walk with God, aim to bear fruit before chasing platforms. Let people say, “She is kind,” “He’s gentle,” not just “Wow, they’re anointed!” Because when gifts fade or slow down, character will still stand tall.
So, let’s seek to be fruitful first, and then let the gifts flow. Meanwhile, a life rooted in the Spirit will naturally grow into both.
Being a great husband isn’t about perfection—it’s about embodying qualities that reflect love, commitment, and selflessness. A godly husband strives to honor God in his marriage while nurturing and cherishing his wife. Here are five qualities that make a great husband, inspired by biblical principles and practical wisdom.
1. He Loves Unconditionally
A great husband loves his wife with an unconditional, sacrificial love that mirrors Christ’s love for the church. Ephesians 5:25 says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” This kind of love doesn’t depend on circumstances or emotions—it’s steadfast, forgiving, and enduring.
A husband who loves unconditionally creates a safe and loving environment for his wife to thrive.
2. He Leads with Humility
True leadership in marriage is not about control but about serving with humility. A great husband leads by example, putting his wife’s needs before his own. Philippians 2:3-4 reminds us, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.” Humble leadership fosters respect, trust, and unity in the relationship.
3. He Communicates Openly and Honestly
Communication is the foundation of a healthy marriage. A great husband listens actively, speaks kindly, and resolves conflicts maturely. Proverbs 18:21 teaches, “The tongue has the power of life and death.” His words should build up, encourage, and affirm his wife, creating emotional intimacy and understanding.
4. He Is Faithful and Committed
Faithfulness is a hallmark of a great husband. Whether it’s staying loyal through trials or honoring the covenant of marriage, his commitment never wavers. Malachi 2:16 declares, “The Lord God hates divorce,” emphasizing the sacredness of marital vows. A faithful husband demonstrates unwavering dedication to his wife and their shared future.
5. He Supports and Encourages Growth
A great husband believes in his wife’s potential and supports her dreams and aspirations. He celebrates her strengths and encourages her spiritual, personal, and professional growth. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” By uplifting his wife, he helps her become the best version of herself while strengthening their bond.
Marriage is a beautiful journey—but let’s be real, it’s not always easy. It’s not just about the big wedding day or picture-perfect moments. It’s about the everyday choices—the small acts of love, patience, and grace that keep you connected.
Here’s some heartfelt advice for married couples, from one journeying soul to another:
1. Talk… Really Talk
Don’t just talk about the kids or bills. Talk about how you’re really doing. Share your heart, your dreams, your worries. Open communication is like fresh air—it keeps your marriage alive.
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt…” – Colossians 4:6
2. Be Kind, Even on Hard Days
We all have those days where we’re tired or stressed. But remember—your spouse is not the enemy. A kind word or small act of love can soften even the hardest moments.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
3. Say ‘I’m Sorry’ and Mean It
We mess up. We say the wrong thing. We forget to listen. That’s life. But owning your mistakes and choosing to make things right is what keeps the foundation strong.
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” – James 5:16
4. Make Time for Just the Two of You
Life gets busy—kids, work, ministry, responsibilities. But your marriage needs attention. Steal those little moments. A quick coffee, a walk after dinner, a chat before bed—it matters.
“There is a time for everything… a time to embrace.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1, 5
5. Pray Together
Prayer keeps you both grounded. It’s not about being super spiritual; it’s about inviting God into your marriage. Even if it’s just a short prayer before sleep, it creates unity.
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:20
6. Stop Comparing Your Marriage to Others
No two marriages are the same. What works for your friend may not work for you. And that’s okay. Focus on your own love story.
“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.” – Galatians 6:4
7. Don’t Forget to Laugh
Laughter is medicine. It breaks tension and brings joy. Dance in the living room, make silly jokes, remember your inside stories—these things matter more than we realize.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine…” – Proverbs 17:22
Marriage isn’t about perfection. It’s about two people choosing to love, forgive, and grow—every single day. With God in the center and love as your anchor, you’ll keep weathering the storms and celebrating the sunshine.
Keep choosing love. Keep choosing each other. Take it one day at a time.
I believe we all have been there before—a time when we just didn’t feel like going on. What is the point of serving God when my requests remain unanswered? Others who do not do half of what I do have results to show for it.
Luke 1:7 KJV And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
This was the ordeal of Zechariah, the priest. A servant of God who gave his all to the kingdom, yet he had an unanswered prayer – he had no child of his own. He would appear regularly to attend to the needs of the people. They looked up to him, brought their issues to him and he would take it to God.
Sometimes, I wonder how he felt anytime he went to the temple. I wonder what his wife must have said a few times. I wonder what his friends or family members would have said to him. Some people would have mocked him, but that didn’t deter Zachariah. He always showed up when due. That was how he got God’s attention.
Perhaps you are feeling discouraged about an unanswered prayer in your life. Perhaps you feel like God has gone on leave. Like Zachariah, keep showing up, for you do not know your day of visitation when God will shift his attention on you.
God appeared to Zechariah at his duty post, doing what he was supposed to do. He did not allow his childlessness to keep him at home. He went about his duty as of before. The moment you start withdrawing from church, withdrawing from praying, withdrawing from studying the word, withdrawing from the believers, the devil is happy because that is what he wants – he has your attention already.
Luke 1:8-9 KJV And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
Just like his lot was to burn incense, your lot is to praise and worship God. Your lot is to maintain an atmosphere of thanksgiving. That is how to get God’s attention. You were created to serve him. Don’t do otherwise because you are ‘husbandless’ or ‘wifeless’ Don’t entertain offence. Don’t listen to the voice that says you’ve been serving God for a long time and have nothing to show for it. Don’t give up on God yet. God likes to come in at the ‘well-stricken’ point.
Oftentimes, people walk away from toxic relationships, unhealthy attachments, or bad habits, thinking that the battle is over. But leaving is only the first step. The real challenge is filling that empty space with something better. It’s easy to think that once you’ve cut ties with the wrong person or situation, everything will automatically be fine. But if you don’t intentionally fill your heart with positive, God-centered things, you might find yourself slipping back into old patterns even after you might have vowed that it would never happen again.
“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through dry places seeking rest, and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.” — Matthew 12:43-45 (NKJV)
This is the very point Jesus was making in Matthew 12. A man was freed from an unclean spirit, but when the spirit returned, it found the house empty. Without something better taking its place, the man’s situation worsened. It’s a pattern we see in relationships, too. If you leave one behind but don’t fill your life with healing, purpose, and spiritual growth, you open yourself up to emptiness and vulnerability. This emptiness can lead you to crave the wrong things: unhealthy attention, distractions, or even another toxic relationship.
Instead of just walking away from bad relationships, it’s crucial to intentionally build a life that’s full of what truly matters—God’s wisdom, His love, and a deeper sense of purpose. Focus on nurturing your relationship with God, growing emotionally, and investing time with people who help you grow in faith. Stay busy with purpose, serve God like never before, and pursue personal growth. When you fill your life with the right things, you create a strong foundation, leaving no room for the wrong things to creep back in.
Leaving behind what’s wrong is an important step, but the real work begins after that. If you don’t fill the empty space with God’s truth, His presence, and a sense of purpose, you are at risk of falling into that same cycle. Today, make the decision to fill your life with His presence so that when love comes, you are not settling out of emptiness but embracing something beautiful because you are whole, ready, and aligned with God’s perfect plan for you.
