5108

The"American Wisdom Series"

presents
Pamphlet #5108 KC1Peter8

"Ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands..."
Does that mean you should always give your husband the remote control when he wants it?

So conduct is important, very important!

If you are not a "doer" of the word, then you are just kidding yourself.

That's what Peter has been telling us and so says James in James 1:22, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."

Many think they must "preach" in order to plant seeds, but guess what?

You are literally planting seeds just by walking in the Lord through the field [world]!

And you don't even have to say a word.

Your conduct speaks and testifies!

You know, actions speak louder than words.

You see, "actions", shall we dare say "works", confirm the Word of God in us.

People can tell by our actions!

So Peter continues in chapter 3 with the subject of Christian conduct and now he brings it right into our homes, into our living rooms.

You've heard the phrase "Practice what you preach"?

Well Peter has a method which we will call "Practice and don't preach".

Ladies first of course.

So ladies, here's how you might convert your husbands!

1 Peter 3:1
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;

"Ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands..." This means to always give your husband the remote control when he wants it.

Actually, if you are a Christian woman you will completely understand this verse in context and know that it has nothing to do with inequality, spiritually or otherwise.

But if you are a "feminazi", a hater of men, you'll be jumping up and down screaming "the Bible is chauvinistic".

But what Peter is saying in verse 1 is that "Actions can and do speak louder than words".

You may have tried and tried the old preaching method on your "sinner" but he's still a fisher of fish.

It's time to stop trying to convince him with words and give him a demo, a living demonstration of how Christianity works.

(Start by giving him the remote control when he wants it, heh, heh.)

So be a "doer of the Word" and start walking the walk instead of talking the talk.

And you know what?

Whenever a person changes his or her behavior it has a profound impact on those around them.

And the closer their relationships to you, the more they will notice and be impacted.

[2] While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

You won't have say a word.

"Conversation" is more correctly translated "conduct" or "behavior", and "fear" means "revere" or "reverence".

[3] Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

This verse does not mean that a woman should not wear makeup or jewelry, both of which are fine if done in good taste.

Paul says in 1 Timothy just don't dress up like a harlot.

What Peter is saying is that a Christian woman's true beauty is not seen in her outward appearance.

It's not that "skin deep" beauty that makes her glow.

It's not the gold that you see on her ears and fingers that make her beautiful, it's the shekinah diamonds on her heart.

[4] But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Her beauty comes from within.

She glows from the heart as her pearls of wisdom and meekness and kindness and gentleness adorn her spiritual body, her inner being.

Paul used the term "Gospel Armour" to describe the protective qualities of the Word so let's use the term "Gospel Jewels" to describe the beauty of a Christian woman.

So put on the Gospel Jewels.

For as Peter says in the last part of verse 4, they are beautiful and priceless in the sight of God, and your husband will love them, too!

They will both recognize what a true "Gem" you are.

Note: This could perhaps give new meaning to the term "family jewels".

[5] For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

There is "nothing new under the sun".

The women of God have always been adorned within.

It comes from trusting in God... and giving your husband the remote control.

1 Pet. 3:6 Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

Of course Sarah was not only a beautiful person from within, she was a real "looker", too!

Do you remember when she and Abraham traveled to Gerar and Abimilech, the king of Gerar, looked upon her and wanted her?

I believe was even 60 years old at the time.

She obviously took care of herself on the outside as well, and so should we all.

What does the phrase "and are not afraid with any amazement" mean?

Before we discuss it, let's look at another translation:

"And you are now her true daughters if you do right and let nothing terrify you - not giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you." (Amplified Bible)

How do you react when your kid spills orange juice on your carpet?

Do you get hysterical and yell at him or her?

Do you "major" in minor things?

That's what Peter is talking about, i.e. your behavior at home as a Christian woman.

Note: Because of the society we live in, this verse tends to remind us that there are many women who live in fear and terror of an abusive husband. No woman, Christian or otherwise, needs to or should put up with someone who beats her. There are support groups and civil agencies that can and should be contacted to stop such abuse.

[7] Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

"Likewise, ye husbands"?

Uh, oh!

I get the feeling I'm going to have to give the remote back.

"Dwell with them" [and put up with them... Peter wasn't married, or was he?

Editors note: Peter was maried. See Mark 1: 29-31

Anyway, he spent a lot time with fish, who don't talk back.] "according to knowledge", i.e. with common sense and wisdom.

I hope Peter isn't including "logic" in the term "knowledge".

I've tried logic but it doesn't seem to work.

(Boy, I'm making friends now, aren't I?) "Giving honour unto the wife" [not to mention giving her a $50 bill works wonders sometimes too], "as unto the weaker vessel".

She and I both know that women can't lift as much as men, but by dwelling with her in knowledge, I now know not to discuss this subject.

OK, that's enough.

I hope you all know by now that sometimes I jest and get carried away.

I don't mean to take anything away at all from what Peter is saying.

On the contrary, the fact is that we are real people and what Peter is talking about gets right down to the spilled juice and the remote control levels of our lives.

It is God's will that we be "heirs together in the grace of life", i.e. that we enjoy life together and receive His blessings.

If there is constant bickering and fighting between you and your husband then it creates a bunch of static on your prayer transmission line and God doesn't like listening to a bunch of static.

So He might not!

That's what it means, "Your prayers are hindered".

And guess what?

You can't bicker and fight with someone who won't bicker and fight back, can you?

[8] Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

So if you are married then have a harmonic convergence.

Share all the "jewels" together, spiritual and otherwise.

By the way, the word "pitiful" means "kind".

"Ok, Ok, we'll even share the remote control.

How about you hold it and I'll push the buttons?

That seems logical to me!"

[9] Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

We're talking about married people here, not about civil law and ordinances like an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

If you are married, God wants to bless your marriage but you must do it His way.

No bickering and fighting and ranting and raving and getting hysterical and calling each other names, etc., etc.!

Got it?

You were called to be a blessing to others, including and especially your spouse, and you will be blessed if you are.

One more time.

You were called to be a blessing to others, including and especially your spouse, and you will be blessed if you are.

Because your prayers won't be hindered and your marriage will be blessed.

"Be ye all of one mind" (vs. 8).

"I knew you'd see it Peter's way, honey!

Thanks!

I love you!"

Click, click, click, click, click...

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.

1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them {the ancient Israelites} for ensamples, and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

This "American Wisdom Series" pamphlet

Published by:
Rhine Publishing Co
E-mail address - americanwisdomseries@verizon.net

If you would like to have your essay published
as part of the American Wisdom Series
submit your manuscript to Rhine Publishing Co
at the address above for consideration, or e-mail us
at the address shown on our home page.

Click Here to Return to "The American Wisdom Series" home page.