Each husband is called to live in an understanding way with his wife (1 Peter 3:7). The head must be in tune with the rest of the body. They are not intended to live independent of one another, but to cooperate and work together. Just as the Apostle Paul described the parts working together as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12), a husband must be aware of his wife’s needs, desires, and limitations if they are going to be effective and successful in representing Christ and His Church.

If a husband does not to take his body into consideration, if he refuses to communicate, listen and respond appropriately, he can expect a train wreck. A neglected body can easily grow anemic, anxious, and depressed. Without proper nourishment and care, it will not thrive, but will lose its ability to digest what it is fed. With physical anorexia, enzymes wane and healthy bacteria fails to grow. A marital body, or wife, who is not cared for, nourished, and fed, will lose the ability to respond to loving care. If the Word of God is used as a weapon to coerce a husband’s wishes, she will become intolerant and unable to gain nourishment. It is a dangerous, wicked thing to use Jesus for one’s own purposes (see the story of Simon the sorcerer–Acts 8).

A body that lacks direction runs into walls, stub its toes, and cries out in pain and despair. Her appearance, like a once healthy complexion, will lose its luster. As her person is disregarded and misused, she will lose sight of her original design. Over time, her very personality will become withdrawn and introspective.

A head that does not pay attention to it’s body experiences leprosy-like results. Over time, digits, limbs, and flesh will be impacted and he will have no knowledge that permanent damage has been done.

It’s possible for a body to continue, unaware of a head injury. It is not unusual for others to look at a sick person and say, “Body, what’s your problem? Why are you so sick?” But Jesus said, “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then, if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matthew 6:22-23). Shortsightedness and lack of (or wrong) focus, affects the entire organism. A body that is isolated, silenced, or restricted fails to thrive.

The head is intended to provide direction, nourishment, planning and care. A disjointed body will be evident by its lack of proper circulation, muscle tone, and function. Eventually, vital organs shut down. Toxins and poisons take over leading to certain death.

A body cannot support the unsustainable greed of its head at the cost of itself. Instead, the head is intended to care for the body and, in doing so, preserve and provide for itself.

People helpers, people lovers, stop criticizing the body for its inability to thrive, look healthy, and respond normally. Perhaps it’s time someone had their head examined.