Testimony

Let’s talk about wives being in subjection to their husbands.  It says this in 1 Peter 3:1-6, “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. Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.”  

In the Roman world, in bible times, the man had absolute authority over his whole family, including his wife.  If he became a believer and came into the church he usually brought his whole family with him.  

If the wife came into the church as a believer she usually came in alone.  If a wife became a believer and her husband wasn’t a believer there could be some big problems in their relationship and cause the marriage to be dissolved if the husband disapproved.  It could be a real problem if the wife took on the role of a preacher and preached to her husband often in her zeal to see him come to believe.  Peter assured believing wives that their conduct could win their husbands over without preaching.  The best way to go about it would be through their loving service showing their husbands a changed life.  By being loving, kind, self-giving and faithful to their husbands, they would see the unconditional love that not only they had, but also that Christ had for His church.  As the husbands saw their wives changed lives, they might tolerate their religion or join them in their faith which would be far better.  The best way to influence a family member is by demonstrating a genuine love and a genuine commitment; those things will speak loud and clear.  How do I know this?  It is because this is the kind of wife I have lived with for over 35 years and our culture is much different than theirs was.  

Peter instructed wives to develop inner beauty rather than just worrying about outer beauty.  Women should not be obsessed with fashion, although there is nothing wrong with looking nice.  Living out a genuine Christian faith before your family is most important if you want to win them over to Christ.  Having an inner beauty, a sweet and gentle spirit is, to me, the most important gift that a woman can possess, far more important than outer beauty which fades with time.  I can say this because my wife has this gift; she has an inner beauty with a sweet and gentle spirit that is unmistakable.  The Lord used me to lead her to Him, but if it would have been the other way around I don’t think that I could have resisted her Lord because of her unconditional love and commitment she has always had for me.  This is true; true beauty begins inside.

Submission is another important factor in winning your husband.  What does submission mean?  It means to cooperate with someone out of love and respect, voluntarily for God and also for that person.  Submission should be mutual, but even when it is one-sided it can be effective.  Think about this, Jesus submitted to death so that we could be forgiven and saved, so we may have to submit to things we might not want to submit to so that people will see the life of Christ lived out in us.  But this does not mean that you should compromise your convictions or disobey the Lord.  When submission isn’t mutual it is very hard and will take a lot of strength.  Without the power of the Holy Spirit it may not be possible.  Something to think about, have a super day and may the Lord bless you and yours!!