1 Peter 3:1-7

1. This week’s passage is both familiar and controversial. In modern society, calling for a wife to be submissive to her husband can be a challenging message. This passage has also been abused by men in the past in order to subjugate women. Peter’s purpose here is not to demean women or elevate men. In keeping with the context of the book, we see a clear pattern emerge. Looking back at 2:12, we are called to live holy lives in order to lead others to glorify God. This same relationship continues with submission to authority and for slaves and masters. We are given the example of Jesus himself in verse 21. As believers, our lives should be lived so that others see the goodness and glory of our savior. In speaking to wives and husbands, we see the same call. How we live with our spouses should lead them to glorify God. In my marriage, does my life draw my spouse to the Lord?

   1. “Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,” – Ephesians 4:1-2

2. Although the command appears different for the wife and husband, the intention is the same. We are called to sacrifice for our spouse. We are to make them of first importance. For a wife to submit, she is to place herself under the husband. The husband is specifically called to honor his wife, which means to value her higher than himself. Do you see the similarities? Each spouse is to lift the other up and see the value of God’s gift of a spouse. We should strive to live in humility with each other, encouraging and lifting one another. How can I uplift my spouse? What am I doing to keep my spouse down instead of encouraging?

   1. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:3-4

3. How can we possibly live this kind of life? We see divorce rampant, even in the church, and marriages constantly struggling. Let’s be honest – marriage is hard. Through the Holy Spirit, we can live together in peace and unity. Look at the fruit of the Spirit. What would your marriage look like if it were defined by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? It is hard to imagine constant tension in marriage if the Holy Spirit is guiding the words and actions of the spouses. We will naturally put others first if we are living a life of humility. Our harsh words will turn to grace if we are guided by gentleness and kindness. We won’t find ourselves in affairs if we are self-controlled. A godly marriage is possible if we rest in the power of the Holy Spirit and cultivate that fruit in our lives. Does my life display the fruit of the spirit? How would my spouse describe my life?

   1. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.” – Galatians 5:22-23

For Further Study:
Read 1 Corinthians 13. The “love” chapter is especially enlightening in living together.

For Prayer:
Pray for our community as we face Hurricane Milton.