1 Peter 3:1 KJV
[1] “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;”
In our world today, teaching a wife to be submissive to her husband is not popular. The Women’s Rights movement has nearly destroyed this mindset in the past few generations. We do not have to look very far to see how it has caused problems in the home and society. They tell women they are equal to men and can do anything a man can do. Now, women have to work like men and shoulder responsibilities in and out of the home that God never intended for them to do. The Women’s Rights movement has not made life better for them but has made it more difficult.
God never intended for women to be put down or mistreated on any level. He also never intended for them to lead the home or their husbands. God first made man; then He made the woman. The woman was the one deceived by Satan, not the man. But God held the man responsible, and He will still hold men accountable for the direction in which the home goes.
The husband’s role is to lead, and the role of the wife is to submit to her husband. When both husband and wife are in their proper place, God will bless and lead the home. Our verse proves that if the husband is not in his proper place, it does not give the wife the right to take matters into her own hands. As a pastor, I have had women say that if their husbands would step up and lead, they would not have to be the leader. While I sympathize with them whenever this is true, I cannot in good conscience encourage this because it is not scriptural. Maybe things have to get bad before the man will wake up and become the leader in his home. But God will honor the wife for doing right even when her husband is not.
Our text teaches that if a woman has an unsaved husband and shows the spirit of submission, she has an opportunity to win him. Her daily conduct is what will testify to him that God is real. If you have an unsaved husband, he must see Jesus in you. The best way to be a witness to him is to submit to his authority as to the Lord. If he is not asking you to do something that dishonors God, then be the wife God wants you to be so you can win him to the Lord. There will be no greater influence on a man than his wife and mother. Pray for your husband, submit to your husband, and love your husband. God will honor you as you honor your husband.