“Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives.” 1 Pet. 3:1 NKJV
This passage addresses a specific set of people.
Wives.
A wife is a married woman or a woman who is united to man in the lawful bonds of wedlock. (Webster)
If you are married under God (e.g. by the church) or by the law of your country, then this scripture is specifically for you.
Wives, likewise, be submissive …
Submission means to be humble and obedient; willingly yielding to the will or authority of another person.
A submissive woman has her own opinion and ideas, but she willingly yields to the will and authority of her husband.
“Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands…”
It is easy to submit to pastor in church; Pastor is anointed by God.
It is easy to submit to your boss at work; he determines your paycheck.
But when it comes to submitting to your husband, it’s difficult.
Some Christian women are very respectful. They can respectfully greet ministers and elders in the community.
But they do not accord their husbands the same attitude. Instead, they wait for their husbands to earn their respect and submission.
Eph 5: 22 says Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. The living Bible translation of Eph.5:22-23 reads:
“You wives must submit to your husband’s leadership in the same way you submit to the Lord. For a husband is in charge of his wife in the same way Christ is in charge of his body the church (He gave his very life to take care of it and be its Savior!) So you wives must willingly obey your husbands in everything, just as the wife obeys Christ.”
These days, it is easy to find the wife in open rebellion in the marriage.
Some might even claim they are disobedient because of Christ, for instance.
A husband comes back home and meets his wife preparing for vigil. He instructs her not to go. But his wife, claiming she wants to serve God, refuses and would defiantly go for the vigil.
Unfortunately, we cannot obey God’s word as it is convenient for us.
When God says submit, He is talking to you about your duty as a wife; whether your husband deserves it or not.
Submission is as commanded, not as convenient.
Submission is a duty, not an option.
Submission is God’s pattern, not a woman’s weapon for reward or punishment.
A lot of men have had their faith watered down as a result of their wives’ lifestyle and attitude to them.
Can your husband learn how to trust and depend on God from the results of your prayer life?
Can your husband learn how to cope at work with frustrating workers by observing your patience with the children and irritating neighbors?
Can your husband learn intimacy with God from observing your daily devotion and commitment to God?
What is your attitude and response to him, when your husband does not have money to pay pressing bills? Supportive or irritable?
When he takes a wrong step which you have warned him against, do you still support him in that storm with encouraging words or do you constantly remind him that ‘I told you so”?
God is looking for silent laborers. Women that will arise and seek to establish God’s pattern for homes.
God is looking for women that will sacrifice their own honour for God’s glory.
God is looking for women that will teach the world what it means to be a virtuous woman.
Two people cannot lead at the same time. You are either in charge or God is in charge. You are either in control of issues in your home or God is in control.
It is possible for your husband to be won over to God and it is also possible to chase your husband far from God. Let your actions and lifestyle preach contentment to your husband.
Let your husband’s friends enter into your home and desire that their own wives would act the way you are acting.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to submit to a man if you have not yet submitted to God. It is from God’s presence that you get the strength and willingness to surrender to your husband’s will.
Every woman has her pride and she would always want things done her own way. You have to release your own way to God and allow God to have His way with you.
A woman who has not yielded herself to God cannot find it easy to yield to her husband. She will constantly struggle with inner desires and make promises that she will never be able to keep.
Because the power to change can only be found within God, His Word remains the most effective tool in transforming lives.
Yours is not an exception!
You can start by sincerely going to Him in surrender and obedience. Ask Him for help. Use your own words and tell Him as it is. Remember it is not a religious activity. It is a conscious deliberate change of lifestyle. It is a change of habit and change of influence.
Let God’s word be the ultimate influence in your life and your decisions. Live by His Word and live by His instruction and you will discover that submission to your husband is just a small portion in the overall demand by God. God expects us to grow and resemble His Son.
Remember when you remove Christ from your home, it is no longer a Christian home.
Becoming like Christ is the ultimate requirement of every Christian.
