I hope you weren’t reluctant to read this devotion today simply because the word “submission” was in the title! If you were, it may be that the content of this e-mail is just what you need…
When we were all young girls, eagerly looking to the day when we could slip on a beautiful white wedding gown and be married, we did not suspect that we would face major challenges in being a wife! As I think of the various women I come in contact with who struggle in their marriages, I am frequently driven to 1 Peter chapter 3 in order to furnish them with Biblical solutions for their problems. Fortunately, Peter teaches us that marital difficulties are opportunities for good…
"Likewise, ye wives..." are the first few words of 1 Peter 3. So many times I skip over those three little words to hurry beyond them in search of my wifely instructions, but today I stopped and pondered them. "Likewise" is referring us to the chapter before, to 1 Peter 2:21-25, where Peter is discussing the example of Jesus Christ:
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Just as the Son of God was submissive to God’s will, wives should likewise follow Jesus example and attitude. Apart from Christ’s position, the average married woman can't possibly grasp what is required of her or view her role as a wife as one full of opportunities for good. While this portion of scripture deals with women who have unsaved husbands, the fact that a man and a woman are both saved is no guarantee that their marriage will succeed, because even Christian homes are falling apart! Ladies, what we need in our marriages is an attitude of humility like Christ had. We must imitate the Son of God. Those who know Jesus as their personal Savior are equipped to submit to Him as Lord and seek Gods’ will for their marriages on a daily basis, but what is their resolve? Twice in this first paragraph, wives are reminded to be in subjection, to bring themselves under the authority of their husbands. In order to do this, we must subdue ourselves… This is where we are going to need to consider Christ's example as spoken of in 1 Peter 2:21:
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.
Yes, Christian women must be as desirous of becoming submissive to their husbands as Christ was in submitting to the Father! How are you doing so far, dear lady? Peter encouraged wives to submit for the simple reason that submission is a wifely obligation. However, just because this plan is not a popular mode of operation is no reason to discard it. It is something God has commanded us to do - even if the husband is not in perfect standing with the Lord! Incidentally, submission has nothing to do with the wife being evaluated as inferior. It has everything to do with order in the home. Our heavenly Father knows this is the best arrangement for a pleasant marriage. Submission is the key element to the smooth running of any business, government, or family. It is an order in which God can work through, and in the midst of. When anarchy is present, then the marriage suffers, and then the Spirit of God is hindered in the home. Please don't let the devil tell you that submission is degrading to women. Remember - he is a liar! Satan wants to render Christian women ineffective and powerless and leave us miserable and without hope – and destroy our homes!
Matthew 11:29 (KJV)
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:
and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Believe it or not, submission is the first step toward total fulfillment as a wife. What kind of fulfillment? The kind that enjoys a husband coming to the Lord! You see, not only is submission an obligation, it is also an opportunity for good, a challenge for the wife to accept as she fulfills her God-given role in the home. Ladies, if we don't surrender to Christ, we surrender to chaos. Which would you prefer?? Never underestimate the potency of a meek and lowly spirit; your spiritual influence is a powerful tool in your marriage! Affectionate, obedient conduct toward the head of your house will be the means by which you convince your husband that the Word of God you have received into your heart and mind is true! Did you notice that submission is a silent power, that it can have its effect apart from any spoken word at all? Let's look at 1 Peter 3:1 in its entirety for further insight:
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
Yes, we must keep our mouths shut when the temptation to share a wifely sermon arises! This facet of a wife’s role is crucial if God is ever going to be the loudest, clearest voice your husband hears. This is where, once again, we must look to Christ's example as a pattern for our marital conduct…
1 Peter 2: 22-23 (KJV)
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was
reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed
himself to him that judgeth righteously:
One reason wives can hardly bear to remain silent is that it makes us feel so helpless, amen? We are so accustomed to relying upon words to manage and control others. And sometimes our words can be pretty fierce! We think that if we are silent, who will take control? GOD will take control; but we will never let Him until we trust Him! Silence, therefore, is intimately related to trusting God. That was certainly a convicting portion of scripture listed above, wasn’t it? Let's break it down and look at Christ’s qualities more closely:
When reviled, reviled not again
When suffering, threatened not
Committed himself to the Lord
Would these be any of the character traits that make up your personality?
Are they part of your inward beauty? What about when your husband comes
at you with grieving words, do you dish the same back to him, only in
larger portions than which you were served? Do you try to nag him into
church or lecture him about his sin and need to repent? Maybe you play
Christian radio loudly enough, so that he might overhear a sermon or two...
Whatever the case may be, if you are guilty of manipulative manners you’re
simply making it easier for your husband to leave the house! You're driving
him FROM the Lord, not TO the Lord! Christian wives are also guilty of
these types of activity when they think their believing husbands are not
growing in the Lord fast enough. Be careful, ladies! They can't hear from
God when our voice is so loud! Did you ever stop to think that when you
assert yourself in certain matters pertaining to your head you might be
butting in on God? Better to sit back and learn than to be guilty of creating
spiritual disturbances…
1 Tim. 2:11-12 (KJV)
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. [12] But I suffer
not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in
silence.
What about when you suffer because of your husband's immature conduct,
his foolish decisions, his thoughtlessness, or unkindness toward you -
do you threaten him? Do you tell him - "If you don't change I'm leaving!"
Do you punish him by getting even somehow? Do you start acting like he
does just to prove a point? Remember Christ's example before it's too
late! Scripture says it's the holy character of the wife that will win
the lost husband and motivate the saved husband in the right direction!
It won't be your idle threats, your witty arguments, or your manipulative
ways, but rather your silent, submissive, humble spirit that reaches his
heart for God! What an awesome opportunity submission affords us! Whose
instrument are you when it comes to performing surgery on your husband's
heart - God's or Satan’s?
3.) Committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously.
If you’re wondering if submission is within your capabilities, here is the secret! Christ could and did take all of the rubbish man dished out because He was first committed to His Father in heaven – a righteous Judge! Ladies, your husband may not treat you fairly, he may not appreciate your godly actions or ever commend you for them, but God is righteous and won't miss a thing you do! Who better to place yourself in than God's hands?? He will never leave you nor forsake you; He will never fail you or disappoint you! Sure, the Lord wants your husband to do right, but He wants YOU to do right as well! Commit yourself to God so that all your marital challenges and the hurt that accompanies them will bounce off of your shield of faith and allow you to be a submissive, loving wife to a husband who needs the Lord! It CAN be done! There is freedom to gain in submitting to the Lord! Our God is the God of impossibilities - won't you let Him take your situation and change it? All you have to do is hand it over and trust Him for the outcome! The greatness of your power is the measure of your surrender. Work on your submission and leave the rest with the Lord. Silently make way for a miracle in your home…
Make me a captive, Lord,
And then I shall be free;
Force me to render up my sword,
And I shall conqueror be!
I sink in life’s alarms
When by myself I stand;
Imprison me within thine arms,
And strong shall be my hand!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004
