A Gentle and Quiet Spirit is Precious

Be submissive.

Such controversial words when applied to this text. Yet the Bible is clear that we are to submit to authority. First we submit to the Lord as the highest authority over all. Then we submit to earthly authority as God instituted government for the benefit of society. Employees submit to employers while working. Jesus submitted to suffering and then death on the cross.

In the same way, wives submit to your own husbands so that if any are disobedient to the Word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives as they observe your chaste and quiet behavior.

And in one verse, Peter addresses a main problem in many marriages. Without deflecting back to the responsibility of men, which we will get to, he identifies the issue women struggle with: what is going on in the heart.

Do we live in such a way that people around us will be won to Christ simply by observing our behavior and listening to the words we speak or choose not to speak?

External appearance is not the most important thing. You may look good on the outside, but if the inside is corrupt and rebellious, that will show quickly. The hidden person of the heart matters more. A peaceful and self controlled spirit is highly valued by God.

Holy women of old, like Sarah, exhibited this spirit. Sarah even called Abraham ‘lord’ and obeyed him. She was not frightened with fear. She did what was right and was greatly rewarded.

Many women do not have a peaceful or self controlled spirit. That only comes with a right relationship with God. The internal struggle manifests in behavior and only each woman can conquer that herself by submitting first of all to God.

Submit first to God. That changes everything else.

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