Category Archives: Husbands

Advice, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Commands, Encouragement, Following, God's Will, Holiness, Husbands, Inspirational, Modeling, Parenting, Scripture, Submission, Surrender, Wives

MODELING BEHAVIOR

1 PETER 3:5

“For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands;”

I wonder who Peter was thinking of when he wrote this verse? His mother? His wife? Old Testament saints? We don’t know, but surely he had someone in mind. These were women who were more concerned with pleasing their Lord than with their external adornment. I bet they were all beautiful women, because when you live like that the Lord shines through.

Do you know any women who live like this? In today’s culture submitting to your husband is seen as weakness by the feminist movement. Now, I am not trying to start a fight. I am just stating a fact. Thank the Lord we don’t have to live by today’s culture. We rely on the Word of God to direct our life choices. I am thankful for a submissive wife who honors God with her choices.

APPLICATION

How do you apply this verse to children? Well, we are to teach our little girls and our little boys what it means to submit. Our girls need to understand that they are not submitting to some man. They are submitting to the Lord. He is the one they are trying to honor.

And our boys need to understand what that submission means. It does NOT mean that their wives are their slaves. This is a partnership. They are to honor the Lord by protecting and nurturing their wives. In return, the Lord directs their wives to submit. Obedience to the Lord is the key.

If you know some godly woman who is living out this verse, praise her today. Tell her how much she inspires you with her walk. Encourage her today to continue to model for you and others. Perhaps you are that woman who struggles with submission. Seek the Lord’s direction today. Please Him. That’s all that matters.

Thank You for putting holy women in my life. I praise You for the example they give in surrender to You.

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WITH THEIR OWN EYES

1 PETER 3:2

“as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.” 

It’s one thing to hear about someone’s reputation. It’s another to see it with your own eyes. Peter is telling the wives that their husbands will be won to Christ by what they see in them. The way they behave towards their husbands could be the difference between heaven and hell for their husbands.

I have known people who act one way at home and a whole different way at church. Our behavior as believers is a twenty-four hour, seven days a week responsibility. We don’t get to take off days and live like we want to. Too many people are being influenced, especially family.

APPLICATION

Have you ever had your child’s Sunday School teacher tell you what a joy it is to have your child in their class? I am sure you are glad to hear that. But what if you heard that after a morning of screaming and yelling to get them dressed and out the door for church. I am sure you might think how nice it would be to see that kind of behavior at home.

Teaching our children to live consistent lives for Christ is hard. It’s hard for us to do that. Maybe that’s the problem with our children. They see us live one way at home and another at church. We have to model what we expect from them. Our lives are being observed by little ones every day. We can’t afford to “take a day off.”

How about you? Are you consistent in your walk? Don’t let your inconsistency influence someone to walk away from Jesus. You may not even be aware that someone is watching you to see if they want to respond to His call. You may be the only Jesus some people ever see.

I want to reflect Your life through my actions and behavior. Help me walk with You daily to influence those around me to follow You.

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SILENT WITNESS

1 PETER 3:1

“In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives,”

Actions speak louder than words. You’ve probably heard that expression, haven’t you? Well, that’s kind of what Peter is saying here to wives. Instead of nagging their husbands to obey the word, he tells them to influence them by their behavior. Let them watch you live for Jesus.

The Greek word translated “may be won” is the same word Paul uses over in 1 Corinthians 9:19-21. This is the passage where he says he will be all things to all people so he can win them for Christ. Paul was an evangelist who would do whatever it took to win people to Christ. Wives can do the same with their husbands. Just be Jesus.

APPLICATION

We all want our children to behave, don’t we? We begin at an early age teaching them to say “Yes ma’am” and “No ma’am.” We teach them proper table manners. We are so concerned with the outward behaviors. Why? So they won’t embarrass us or themselves? Perhaps.

But we should be more concerned with their behaviors as they relate to Christ. I know most of you pray for your children daily. You pray for their salvation and safety. You pray for their future spouse. You pray for their friends. Let me encourage you to pray for their behavior as it relates to walking with Christ. We want them to influence their friends and others for Jesus, right? Then spend some time praying that they will surrender their will to Jesus so He can use them to change the world.

Let me ask you a question. Would your behavior lead someone to Christ or drive them away? You may have heard this expression – Preach Jesus, if necessary use words. The things we do really do speak louder than words. Be careful today to be Jesus in your actions.

Lord, I want others to see Jesus in the things I do. May they be drawn to You by what they see in me. Help me preach the Gospel without using words.

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HUSBANDS AND WIVES

TITUS 2:5

“to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.”

Okay, I can’t use this verse and ignore that phrase – “being subject to their own husbands.” Some women, even Christian women, are offended when they are told that. It’s God’s Word, not man’s, so I guess you have to take it up with Him. But before you do, let’s look at it very briefly. Why did the Holy Spirit tell Paul to write this? It must have been important because God doesn’t waste words.

The Greek word here is hypotássō which comes from hypó, “under” and tássō, “arrange”. It literally means to put under God’s arrangement, to submit to the Lord plan. From the beginning, God placed order in the home and had a plan for men to lead and protect women. Is that always how it happens? No! But it is God’s design. And we know when we submit to God’s plan, it is always best for us.

APPLICATION

How do we teach our children subjection? By modeling it. Moms, when you have the opportunities to yield to your husband’s directions, do it and make sure your children know it. They must learn to trust his leadership as you do. The buck stops with him. However, dad, you will be a smart husband and father if you first consult and talk over any decision with your wife first. Her subjection to you does not give you the right to be her master. That is NOT the idea behind God’s plan.

There will be times when mom and dad disagree. Children need to see that resolved, not argued over. And in the end, God’s plan provides the protection. Remember, we are not simply raising children. We are raising child raisers. You want your boys and girls to grow up with this Biblical model so they in turn will raise your grandchildren this way.

This will probably not be a popular blog. That’s okay. The purpose of this blog is not to entertain. It’s to share a nugget from God’s Word. Some nuggets are sweet. Some are sour. Some are easy to chew. Some are tough to swallow. I just pray you won’t throw out the nugget. It’s there for a reason. Blessings!

Dear Lord, I know I have not led well as a husband or father at times. Forgive me. Let my plan always be in subjection to Your plan because I know it is best.

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