1 Peter series – “Holding onto Hope in a Hostile World”

1 Peter 3:1-7

In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over 2 by observing your pure and reverent lives. 3 Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 5 This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands. 6 For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do. 7 In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

Peter starts here by reminding husbands of their call first to:

·      CHERISH – “give honor”

The word “give” means to grant and bestow, it’s in the present tense, meaning that it’s something we are to be continually doing. Many men have the mentality of “I told you I loved you when we got married and if anything changes I will let you know.” A husband is called to honor his wife, to hold her in high regard, to treasure her. Proverbs 31:10 “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” Husbands how are you doing at honoring your wife? Guys, does your wife know that she is more important than anything else in your life? Sometimes I find it helpful to ponder the opposite word in order to get at the true meaning of the word I am trying to understand . Here are some antonyms of honor – to diss, scorn, neglect, disregard, put down, ignore, criticize, condemn and humiliate. Here is the question are you treating her like treasure or trash? If you answer neither then I have only one thing to say stop taking your girl for granted she is a gift. Value her by spending time with her and speaking well of her. Proverbs 31:28: “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” Husbands are you seeking ways to serve and show your spouse that she is special?

·      CONSIDERATION – “Treat your wife with understanding”

This means to be thoughtful of your wife. Get to know her, you know what ticks her off but do you know what makes her tick? Do you know her fears, failures and feelings…and the fun stuff that makes her who she is! Many men treat marriage like a hunting trip, we get all excited about the hunt, we talk about it and put all our energy into planning and pursing but once we pull the trigger and bag the deer it’s over. We take a few pictures or at best have it stuff and mounted on a wall. So it is in our relationship we chase and pursue we expend enormous amounts of energy dating, we staying up late talking and getting to know each other but the moment we get married we stop pursuing and getting to know each other. Your wife should be your school of study, observe her, notice her, pay attention. Some of you know more about guns than your girl, you know more sports stats than your spouse. Let me ask you this question if you were to buy your wife flowers what is her favorite flower and what color? My wife loves yellow roses because yellow is the color of friendship and for her friendship is the most important aspect of our relationship. Ask yourself this question: What does my wife need and how am I doing at meeting those needs? Our call as men is to discover and celebrate who God made our wife to be and then empower and unleash her to live on mission for the glory of God. Are you a student of your spouse? Do you know her love language, and are you learning to speak it?