The Most Excellent Way

We’re on this journey together, praying for our husbands. How are things going so far? Do you see a hint of change in your spouse? It takes time.  Are you experiencing any changes in your own heart? That, too, takes time. When we pray from a heart of love, it effects change in our husbands and us! It’s a double benefit. So let’s go on to this third scriptural prayer, being alert to what God is speaking to our hearts as well.

Philippians 1:9-11 TPT

⁹I continue to pray for my husband’s love to grow and increase beyond measure, bringing him into the rich revelation of spiritual insight* in all things. ¹⁰This will enable [insert your husband’s name] to choose the most excellent way of all*—becoming pure and without offense until the unveiling of Christ. ¹¹And [insert your husband’s name] will be filled completely with the fruits of righteousness that are found in Jesus, the Anointed One—bringing great praise and glory to God!

Brian Simmons, lead translator for The Passion Translation, adds two important notes to the above passage that can help add fuel to our prayer.

• In verse 9, the Greek word for insight refers “to practical understanding linked to life. It is a word that implies walking out the truth that insight reveals. . . .Many translations render it ‘discernment,’ yet it is more than discerning something – it means to experience the reality of something and apply it to life.”
• In verse 10, the phrase, to choose the most excellent way, is translated from the Aramaic as, “to choose those things that bring contentment.”

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines contentment as “the state of being happy and satisfied.” It can also be described as “freedom from worry or restlessness, a peaceful satisfaction.” Contentment is a good word!

Choosing those things that bring contentment is a stepping stone to becoming pure and without offense. It leads the way to being completely filled with the fruits of righteousness, walking in the ways of Jesus. Walking in the ways of Jesus means we choose to keep our hearts pure. We choose to not pick up an offense, even though Jesus said, “It is impossible that no offenses should come. . .” (Luke 17:1 NKJV). This speaks to my heart.

We pray for our husbands, now, to discover the most excellent way of all. In other words, we pray they would choose those things that bring true contentment. Jesus is the most excellent way! Jesus brings contentment! This truth is good for husbands, and it is good for us!