ICS Daily Devotions
Beautiful in God’s Eyes
1 Pet 3:1-4 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,2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
These verses give us God’s definition of a beautiful and attractive woman regardless of whether she is married or single. The Bible is not saying that women should not look nice, be fashionable or wear make-up, but one should not just concentrate on outward appearances.
In today’s society which emphasizes equal rights, individualism and self, the biblical teaching of submission or living a submissive life runs counter cultural. Submissiveness has to do with the attitude of the heart. The gentle and quiet spirit that flows through the heart will give a genuine submission. Submission also has to do with place and ranking. The Bible clearly states that the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the church. Therefore, a wife is to show respect to the husband for the position of leadership God has given him.
Submission involves an attitude of respect and a recognition of the responsibility of the one in authority. Rather than trying to thwart his will through manipulation or scheming, a submissive wife will seek to discover what her husband wants and do it to please him, as long as it doesn’t involve disobedience to God.
There is no submission needed when the husband and wife agree on something. Submission is only required when you have a different opinion, thought or course of action over certain issues that does not violate biblical values, principles and where lives are not endangered. Therefore, instead of quarreling or insisting that she is right, the wife who chooses to submit and remain quiet in support of the husband’s decision is blessed. In fact, when you choose to submit, and the outcome reveals to your husband that what you were thinking was right, then he will probably learn to listen to you and ask for your opinion in future. This is how you can win him over through the quiet and gentle spirit rather than through strife and quarrels.
Sermon: Divorce Paper
