Help for a friend’s marriage
My friend married about a year and a half ago to a man who had recently found Christ. This changed him in so many wonderful ways. He has stopped his controlling behaviors, his jealousies, his abusive tongue. He started a youth group at church for troubled teens, etc. Problem is, he is extremely sanctimonious now. He calls her a heathen, says how unevenly yoked they are, refers to any material things she loves as "her God," constantly tells her she is going to hell. (She is a believer by the way.) While she would love a closer relationship with Christ, his words and attitude turn her off, not only to her husband, but to getting more involved in the church. The more "godly" he becomes to the outside world, the more judgmental and self-righteous he becomes to his own wife. I've referred them to their pastor, what other help can I give?
You did well in encouraging them to speak to their pastor. He is in a position to minister to them, using Scripture to offer rebuke, comfort and guidance.
No doubt, you are praying for your friend and her husband. Keep doing that. Ask that the Lord work through his word in the heart of the husband so that he loves his wife, “just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). Pray that the husband confesses his sinful attitudes and words toward his wife, receives forgiveness in faith and then treats his wife with love and respect as a fellow member of God’s family (1 Peter 3:7).
Finally, continue to support your friend by being a good listener. At the same, recognize what you can and cannot do when it comes to improving her marriage. God bless all your efforts!