Pursue Harmony and Godliness
ICS Daily Devotions
1 Peter 3:1 (NKJV) Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives.
Submission in Hebrew means yielding and assuming a lower position. It has to do with ranking. God is the supreme authority over all authorities that He has established, and He has ordained a structure of authority for the family, company, church, and country. We are instructed to submit to this authority.
The husband is the spiritual head of the household, and therefore, the wife must submit to his leadership and allow him to take his rightful place. This will give the children a clear example of how a Christian family should function. For the couple to function effectively, the roles, responsibilities, and expectations must be clearly defined and adhered to.
Some couples work together because they are business owners. This can create a very complex relationship unless they clearly define their roles both at home and at work. There are women with strong personalities. If the working relationship within the company is not appropriately handled, it will spill over into the family environment, which will be unhealthy for the couple. In this situation, mutual submission is needed when the couple is mature enough to recognise and agree upon who is gifted with the business acumen to manage and develop the business.
It takes humility, acceptance, and acknowledgment to recognise who possesses the gift and vision to establish the company while balancing the family’s needs. The wife can help by being secure in her role as a believer in Christ, supporting her husband without needing to prove her worth.
If there is no agreement and the husband is an unbeliever, it is wise for the wife to avoid being argumentative and instead submit to the husband for the sake of unity and peace at home and at work. The strength of the relationship between the husband and wife will determine their ability to share ideas and challenge each other’s thoughts without descending into an intense quarrel that could strain their relationship.
The couple can support each other by praying that they follow God’s will and have the wisdom to strategise and make the right decisions for the company’s good. Doing so will create harmony at work and at home.
God desires us to grow in godliness. By submitting to the Lordship of Christ, and to those He placed above us, including our husbands or superiors at work, and yielding to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we will grow in godliness by allowing our characters to be moulded.
Sermon Series: Hopefully Contented
