Who's In Charge Here? A Series on Authority
Monday, January 26, 2004
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My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for the opportunity to invest a week of studies on the vital topic of marriage as Christians. I pray for wisdom and discernment to understand Your teaching, and for the power of Your Holy Spirit to live it out in my life! Glorify Yourself in my life today. May all that I think, say and do bring You honor and praise. This I ask in the strong name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, and my Savior and Lord. Amen.
Bible Verses
1 Peter 3:1-7
1In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands, even those who refuse to accept the Good News. Your godly lives will speak to them better than any words. They will be won over 2by watching your pure, godly behavior.
3Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 4You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 5That is the way the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands. 6For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, when she called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.
7In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat her 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. If you don’t treat her as you should, your prayers will not be heard.
Reflecting on God's Word
What does today’s teaching about marriage present that you have never considered about marriage before?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
What is the relationship of the wife to the husband, according to today’s Scripture? (3:1-2)
On what is a wife’s beauty to be based? (3:3-6)
What instruction and warning is given to husband in today’s reading? (3:7)
Understanding God's Purpose for Us
What role does authority play in marriage according to today’s Scripture?
What would a marriage look like if a couple took the teaching in Ephesians 5:21-33 to heart?
Applying God's Word to Our Purpose
What is the most important application of today’s Scripture in your life right now?
Thoughts: Wives, Accept the Authority of Your Husbands...
A cursory reading of today’s Scripture flies in the face of everything we hear and read about marriage in the secular realm today. Wives are told to accept their husbands’ authority, even if their husbands aren’t believers! We need to remind ourselves that authority and power are different, and that authority is the ability to get others to follow, because our reasons are legitimate and right, while power is the ability to get others to follow even by means of force, and even though our reasons may be wrong! A wife is not called to accept the will of a godless husband, whose only desire is to fulfill his own desires. To read such a reality into today’s Scripture is absolutely wrong. After all the conclusion of the Scripture tells us that if a husband doesn’t treat his wife as he should that his prayers won’t be answered. Such is God’s desire for a marriage relationship to be built on mutual love and respect. The key is that the wife’s life is one that shows respect for her husband’s legitimate authority, and encourages him to be the best that he can be, resulting in the best for both of them!