Marie’s daily verse: And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. PHILIPPIANS 4:19

DAILY DEVOTION, January 3, 2023

Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives (1 Peter 3:1).

Many women balk at the idea of submitting to their husbands! But there it is in black and white in the word of God. The idea is not to bow to his authority no matter what, but to respect his leadership role in the home. If the husband is doing his part (Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, Eph. 5:25), it is easy for the wife to respect his leadership. Peter’s primary concern in the above verse is what a wife is to do if her husband is a non-believer. She is not trying to win him by hammering at him with words. Her loving, kind, Christian behavior may do the trick. Certainly, bad behavior by the wife will never win over a non-believing husband.

Therefore, husbands love your wife sacrificially as Christ loved the church, and she will respect your authority and leadership role. Wives, if your husband does not believe in Jesus, point him to Jesus through your dedicated Christian behavior. Words not backed up by behavior will not influence an unbelieving husband to come to faith. Such words will most likely have the opposite effect.

Father, speak to the hearts of husbands and wives that they may embrace Your will. Living in a close husband-wife relationship can cause problems. However, as both submit to You, life is so much better! May both marriage partners always seek to honor Jesus. In His name, I pray. Amen.