Wednesday 23 November, 2021

3 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. 7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

This passage in Peter talks about mutual respect.

God designed both male and female in His image – Jesus had NO problem with believing in women, teaching women and empowering women.  We are equal in every way and should respect all people and all ages. 

Marriage is about mutual respect.  How we live is important both outwardly to others but even more so to our spouses and families.  They are the ones who will see our ‘hypocrisy’ if we live different to what we say.

The encouragement of God in this passage is for all of us to be authentic.  Not outwardly concerned about image but true to ourselves and what we say.  Our character is what should shine through.  It is alright to struggle at times, but how we respond in circumstances can have lasting effects. 

My prayer has always been “Lord help me not to react, but to respond with love and care”.

I think it is very interesting here as Peter says to the men (to the husbands) – treat your wives well and with respect (with honour, with respect and with equality) – SO THAT YOUR PRAYERS WILL NOT BE HINDERED.

I think this is good for us wives too.

Lord help me to treat my husband and my family and all people with honour, respect and equality.  You judge our hearts Lord.  Father show us where we are wrong and help us to become all you have made us to be.  Let our prayers not be hindered by our attitudes.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen.

Written by Ps. Sue Botta