Thursday, December 29, 2016

REAL WOMANHOOD (Part 4)

Meek—Not Weak

Submission does not mean that a woman be weak. In fact, to fulfill her God-intended purpose a woman must be very strong emotionally and spiritually. The Apostle Peter taught this. “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; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear” (1 Peter 3:1-2). Like Paul, Peter taught that a woman must be in subjection to her husband. But Peter also taught that a converted woman must have some limits concerning submission.

Let’s look at these verses closely. Verse 1 discusses a husband who is not obeying God’s Word. It implies that even though a wife must be in subjection, she must not disobey God’s Word. In other words, a wife must be spiritually strong enough to obey God even if the husband is not obeying God. A godly woman would never allow any man to lead her away from God.

By writing these verses, Peter shows that there should be great strength in feminine character. In verse 1, conversation should be translated “conduct.” A truly converted wife will not follow a disobedient husband’s bad conduct. In fact, her “chaste” conduct is a strong example to her husband. Actually, through her obedience, a wife could lead her husband out of disobedience. Notice that Peter emphasizes conduct. A woman should strive to win back a disobedient husband through her conduct. Peter does not say that a woman should nag at, complain against, cajole, or rebel against her husband in everything because he is disobedient. She must be strong enough to set the right example.

How does a woman maintain this kind of strength and still be in subjection? Peter gives us the answer in verse 2. Converted women must have good conduct “coupled with fear.” The word fear can be a little misleading in this verse. Whom are the wives fearing? Are they fearing just their husbands? No, they are in subjection to their husbands, but they are also fearing God. Actually, to be a truly submissive wife, a woman must be in subjection to God first.

What does God the Father look for most in His Spirit-begotten women? “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 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” (verses 3-4). God does not care much for appearance. God places a high value on women who have developed “a meek and quiet spirit.” Many women (and men) today place too much emphasis on a woman’s beauty or status. But God says a woman’s deep conversion is her true beauty. A Spirit-led woman is of great price to God.

In order to show they are as good as men, some women have developed a forward and noisy personality. This behavior is unbecoming for men. It is even less becoming for women. A strong and secure woman is feminine in all social situations. A woman with a “meek and quiet” spirit is not a wallflower or a weakling. She wisely uses her feminine character to assist and serve others.


Modern women have lost sight of the force and vitality of true femininity. It is sad to say that there are not many examples today for women to follow. Peter wrote, “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: 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” (verses 5-6). Peter points out that Sarah set an example for all women to follow. Genesis records for us that Abraham did not live a perfect life. He made mistakes—some were very serious mistakes. He even subjected Sarah to some wrong situations in Egypt with Pharaoh and in Gerar with Abimelech (Genesis 12 and 20). Yet Sarah obeyed Abraham. How could she obey him? 1 Peter 3:2 gives us the answer: Sarah trusted in God. When Abraham disobeyed God, Sarah didn’t rebel against him. She looked to God for her protection. Study the two accounts in Genesis. God saw to Sarah’s needs. If your husband isn’t obeying God, you should not follow him in his rebellion. But neither can you use his rebellion as an excuse to rebel against him. Trust in God and He will see to your needs. True happiness will come to you if you remain submissive to your husband. But never see submission as being weak. see Part 5

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