1 Peter 3:1-2 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, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.
Before we speak about wives submitting to their own husbands, I want to remind us all that God commanded that we submit to one another in the fear, or reverence, to God (Ephesians 5:21). With that said, the submission of wives to their husbands is not permission for husbands to be brutes, dictators or abusive in their homes. By the same token, for the wives, there are no conditions set, or excuses given, for their refusal to obey this command from God. May I add that submission by a wife works a whole lot better when a husband loves her, as God commanded? But that's a devo for another day. The bottom line is that the testimony of a submissive wife is a testimony that God can use to influence a husband who is unsaved, or a saved husband who is backslidden. Just as Peter wrote to those who were persecuted, and admonished them to submit to those who were placed in authority over them; so the husband has been placed as the authority in the household. This may put the wife in a position to be persecuted by her own husband (I did not say abused...that is never acceptable), but God promises that He will use the godly conduct of a submissive wife to win the wayward husband. I know that all of this flies in the face of what society teaches, and how modern day women think, but my dear sisters must stand their ground. Sadly, this will also bring about persecution from people who will criticize Christian women who strive to be the godly wives God has called them to be. Remember that in the end, it is God who we strive to please, not man and his ideas. Ultimately, it should be a holy reverence for God that is the driving force behind the submission of a wife to her husband; and know this my sisters, that each husband will have to give an account, before the Lord, for how they respond to such submission. Submit in godly fear, for the glory of God, and trust Him to work in the heart of your husband.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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