Submissive in Our Homes
Husbands and Wives – Part 4
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3:1-7
Key Verse: 1 Peter 3:1-2
In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives.
Hopefully yesterday’s devotional helped clarify how we should deal with some of the cultural differences between first century church practices and today’s practices. With all that being said, don’t miss Peter’s balanced treatment toward husbands and wives:
- “Wives must accept the authority of your husbands” 1 Peter 3:1.
- “You husbands must give honor to your wives” 1 Peter 3:7c.
I hope you would agree that these two “must” statements bring fair treatment to each partner in the home. Again, Peter clarifies this in 1 Peter 3:7c: “She is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life.”
Husbands, we must take our part very serious, for the Apostle Peter ends verse seven with this warning: “Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.” When someone is critical of the command to wives in verse one, I never hear them talk about verse seven’s warning to the husbands. The Bible is not trenching some harsh, caveman treatment of women. The Bible is giving us the key to a God honoring, peace-filled lifestyle in our homes. God wants our homes to be a blessing to every member. He demands of His children that every member treat the other members of the home with love and respect. Don’t let words like “submit” or “authority” blind you to the truth that the Bible is teaching us for our homes.
Father, give me a heart of love and respect for my spouse and my children. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.