1 Peter Chapter 3 Pt. 2 A Godly Christian Wife Wields Enormous Influence With God

Under the guidance of God's Spirit, Peter is teaching us about the family order, as ordained by God. 

The beautiful influence of a godly wife. 

1 Peter 3:1-2  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; 2)  While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 

Christ is the head of the church, and the head of each husband. God has placed the husband as the head of his wife, not because of superiority in any way, but because this is the family order that pleases God.

We looked carefully at the word "subjection" in our last post and it has the idea of a wife arranging herself under her husband's direction and guidance. 

We also spoke about how the godly testimony of a Christian wife can be used by God to reach an unsaved husband for Christ. 

Next, Peter is going to contrast the difference between a Christian wife and a woman that is representative of the culture.

A meek and quiet spirit is better than expensive clothes, or fancy jewelry.

1 Peter 3:3-4  Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 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. 

Many women strive to follow whatever cultural norms dictate, regarding fashion, hairstyles or jewelry. 

Let's be honest. Many men pursue the   cultural trends marketed to them as the ladies who pursue female oriented trends!

Therefore, many women simply must wear the latest designer clothes and accessories. 

They feel a compulsion to wear the newest hair styles that they believe will draw admiring glances from someone. 

Lavish apparel, exotic hair styling and expensive jewelry should not define a Christian wife. 

God is always aiming at changing our hearts, so that we think and speak and act according to the dictates of His Word. 

A Christian wife should be adorned with the inner beauty of a heart being transformed by God. 

That is, she has a mind that will not provoke others, nor be irritated by the attitudes of others. 

Meekness is a restraining influence upon the heart that reins in a haughty spirit.  

Quietness is a sweet influence that will restrain her from responding in kind, when provoked by someone.

Thus, a Christian wife should seek God earnestly, asking Him to have His way in her heart. 

A Christian wife with a meek and quiet spirit is of great value to God. She stands out in stark contrast to the strange woman of the culture. 

The strange woman of Proverbs is the opposite of a godly wife. 

Proverbs 7:10-20  And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. 11)  (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: 12)  Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) 13)  So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, 14)  I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. 15)  Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. 16)  I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. 17)  I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18)  Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. 19)  For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: 20)  He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. 

This woman is loud and rebellious. Her restlessness is an indication that she is seeking to fill her heart with something because she is empty. 

Yet, that empty, lonely void that she has can only be filled by having a right relationship with God.

The contrasts between a strange woman and a godly wife.

Proverbs 11:22  As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. 

The strange woman is one who takes her cues from the corrupt culture. A woman using lavish make up, trendy clothing, and expensive perfume to attract someone, is like putting expensive jewelry upon the foul snout of a pig. 

A cultural proverb illustrating this is "You cannot put lipstick on a pig, or make silk out of a sow's ear."

This woman is trying to satisfy her longings with fleeting relationships that cannot bring any satisfaction.

Proverbs 11:16  A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches. 

Proverbs 12:4  A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

Proverbs 14:1  Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

Solomon gives us three examples of a godly woman in contrast to a woman of the world.

The woman of a gracious spirit retains her honor, and does not sin against God.

A virtuous woman is a tremendous blessing to her husband. A worldly woman is like a person having rotten bones. 

A wise woman builds her house, keeping it orderly, teaching her children aright. The worldly woman destroys her own home by her sinful actions. 

A Christian wife must make sure that her clothing reflects her profession of faith in Christ. Immodest apparel can cause a man to look on her with lust, and therefore, should be avoided. 

1 Peter 3:5-6  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: 6)  Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

Peter brings up holy women from the Old Testament, who trusted God, adorned themselves with being subject to their husbands. 

The apostle bids Christian women to consider the example of the godly women of the Old Testament. 

With their hope resting upon God, they would not care for frivolous finery or costly jewels. 

They adorned themselves with the more valuable ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. They showed their meekness by living in subjection to their husbands. 

Sarah called Abraham, her husband, "lord" because she trusted and hoped in God. She was respectful of her husband as the spiritual leader in the home (Genesis 18). 

Peter calls a Christian wife who lives in the manner that is pleasing to God, a daughter of Sarah. 

This connects with Paul telling us that all who are of faith, are children of Abraham (Galatians 3:7) because he is the father of all them that believe (Romans 4:11). 

Another example is the life of Hannah. Her life, was full of grief and disappointment because she was barren. Her trust in God was unshaken. 

Her patience under provocation by Elkanah's other wife was exemplary. Hannah's life was full of touching affection for her husband and the Lord. 

Ruth is another of a holy woman who, though not of the house of Israel, manifested virtues in her life which made her fit to be the ancestress of King David. 

The profound influence of a godly wife or woman, cannot be underestimated or over appreciated. 

The cultural norms will relentlessly press in upon our wives and daughters. The Christian wife, mother, or daughter, must dedicate themselves to following hard after the Lord. 

The idea of not being afraid or filled with amazement, is related to a culture that seeks to press us into it's mold. 

Let us thank God for our Christian wives, mothers, daughters and sisters. Their sweet influence is needed more than ever.

Bob