Submission in Marriage

Scripture – 1 Peter 3:1-6: Wives, in the same way be submissive to your 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, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, 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. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

Observation – This is certainly unpopular truth in today’s world. I can’t change what this says, and I wouldn’t want to. Husbands will be addressed tomorrow. Today, wives are called to be “submissive to your husbands” – in attitude more than behavior. Marriage calls for two people to submit to one another – to serve one another – to grow together in that. There is a mutual trust that one will not abuse the other. Obviously, that trust is sometimes broken. In most marriages, however, it stands. Out of that trust, we are to “do what is right and do not give way to fear.”

Application – I will honor the trust my wife has in me. I will live in such a way that she will not be afraid to be submissive.

Prayer – Lord, marriage is, in many ways, a mystery. Thank you for mine. Please help me be a worthy husband this day. Give my wife a great day, as well. Help us both grow in our mutual commitment to you.