This study is addressed to believing wives to whom the word of God is supreme. As I said in yesterday\u2019s address to believing husbands, it is critical that a Godly couple \u201cbe of the same mind\u201d. Nevertheless, the Lord has given some people among us unbelieving mates, and it is critical that those who have unbelieving mates know it is not their place to change that mate, and this is why:<\/p>\n
Joh 6:41\u00a0 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.
\nJoh 6:42\u00a0 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?
\nJoh 6:43\u00a0 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.
\nJoh 6:44\u00a0\u00a0No man can<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw [G1670:\u00a0helkuo<\/em>, to drag] him: and I will raise him up at the last day.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nJohn 6:44 applies to our believing mates as much as it applies to the unbelieving spouse. It is not our place to change each other even if we claim to be \u201cof the same mind\u201d. It is the spirit, and the spirit alone, which will change, mature and make new the old man within all of us. You, as a wife, are not able and are not given the commission of growing your husband into the Christ you envision him to become. These words are addressed specifically to women within the body of Christ who are married to unbelievers, but these words apply to your relationship with your believing husband also:<\/p>\n
1Pe 3:1\u00a0 Likewise, ye wives,\u00a0be<\/em>\u00a0in subjection to your own husbands<\/strong>; that, if any obey not the word,\u00a0they also may\u00a0without the word<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0be won by the conversation of the wives;
\n1Pe 3:2\u00a0\u00a0While they behold your chaste conversation\u00a0coupled<\/em>\u00a0with fear<\/strong>.
\n1Pe 3:3\u00a0 Whose adorning let it not be that outward\u00a0adorning<\/em>\u00a0of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
\n1Pe 3:4\u00a0 But\u00a0let it be<\/em>\u00a0the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible,\u00a0even the ornament<\/em>\u00a0of a meek and quiet spirit,\u00a0which is in the sight of God of great price<\/u><\/strong>.
\n1Pe 3:5\u00a0 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves,\u00a0being in subjection unto their own husbands<\/u><\/strong>:<\/p><\/blockquote>\nBeing a wife myself I am well aware of how my own flesh despises the words \u201cwives be in subjection to your own husband\u201d. You might say, \u201cMike, you are a man with a wife. How can you know anything about what it is like to be a wife?\u201d Here is how I know all about what it is like to be a wife:<\/p>\n
2Co 11:2\u00a0 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy:\u00a0for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present\u00a0you as<\/em>\u00a0a chaste virgin to Christ.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nThat verse is addressed to the whole church at Corinth, both the men and the women. It is every bit as hard on the flesh of a man to be obedient to and subject to Christ as it is for a woman to be subject to her husband. Being a proper head and a Godly leader is just as demanding as being an obedient wife who is subject to her husband.<\/p>\n
A Godly husband sets an example for his wife. He does not say one thing and then turn around and act contrary to what he tells his wife he believes. What that means is that he does not attempt to remake his wife into what he wants her to be. When he attempts to do that, he is denying that Christ is working all things after the counsel of His own will, and when you as a wife begin listening to a spirit which is telling you that because your husband is not being obedient to Christ therefore you are justified in ignoring your husband then you, too, are being disobedient to Christ.<\/p>\n
Ephesians 5:25 does not say, \u201cHusbands love your wives if they are obedient to Christ.\u201d What it\u00a0does<\/u>\u00a0say is:<\/p>\nEph 5:25\u00a0 Husbands, love your wives,\u00a0even as Christ also loved the church<\/u>, and gave himself for it;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
As part of \u201cHis body, which is the church\u201d (Col 1:24), I can tell you without any hesitation that Christ has been supernaturally patient and kind to me as I shed crocodile tears over the ways I mistreated the wife of my youth for literally years. It was not deliberate. It was not blatant rebellion, but it was weakness, and it was the natural rebellion of the carnal mind of the wild beast which is within all of us.<\/p>\n
This brings us to what wives just naturally are while attempting to \u201cbe subject to [their] husbands, as unto Christ\u201d. Why do such words even need to be written down or uttered? This is why the Lord commands \u201cwives [to] be subject to their husbands as unto the Lord\u201d:<\/p>\n
Gen 3:16\u00a0 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children;\u00a0and thy desire\u00a0shall be<\/em>\u00a0to<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0[H413: el] thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\u201cIn sorrow shall you bring forth children\u201d is indeed a curse. \u201cYour desire shall be to your husband\u201d almost sounds, in modern English, like a blessing, telling Eve that she will just naturally desire to please her husband. However, a proper translation of the Hebrew word \u2018el<\/em>\u2019, translated as \u2018to\u2019 here in Genesis 3:16 changes the meaning completely.<\/p>\nLet\u2019s go to the next chapter to see how this Hebrew word \u2018el<\/em>\u2019 here in Gen 3:16 should be translated:<\/p>\nGen 4:8\u00a0 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up\u00a0against<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0[H413:\u00a0el<\/em>, against] Abel his brother, and slew him.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nSo, Eve\u2019s, and every wife\u2019s, desire is just naturally to be \u201cagainst\u201d being obedient to their husband\u2019s headship and leadership, as is the carnal mind in every man. This is the lot of every wife, and this is the default lot of every man:<\/p>\n
Rom 8:7\u00a0 Because the carnal mind\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0enmity against God<\/strong>: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
\nRom 8:8\u00a0 So then they that are in the flesh\u00a0cannot\u00a0<\/strong>please God.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\u201cThe carnal mind\u2026cannot<\/u>\u00a0please God\u201d, and since we are all just naturally carnally minded, it requires a supernatural miracle to please God, and to fight against and overcome our rebellious carnal mind. The point being made in today\u2019s study is that the Lord has cursed all wives with the carnal desire to please themselves and to be against their husbands\u2026 \u201cYour desire shall be against your husband\u201d. Notice closely the similarity between what the Lord says of Cain\u2019s fate and what He says of Eve\u2019s ultimate fate. It is very good news for all of mankind:<\/p>\nGen 3:16\u00a0 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire\u00a0shall be<\/em>\u00a0to thy husband,\u00a0and he shall [ultimately] rule over thee.<\/strong><\/p>\nGen 4:6\u00a0 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
\nGen 4:7\u00a0 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee\u00a0shall be<\/em>\u00a0his desire, and thou shalt [ultimately] rule over him.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nThese words are spirit, and they are life to everyone who has ever lived, and here they are right here at the beginning of the Bible. This is not a promise that every wife will be subject to her husband in this age, but it is a promise that Christ will be the head of His church, His body, His bride, and it is a promise that every wife will ultimately be ruled by her husband\u2026 \u201cHe shall rule over you\u201d.\u00a0 It is not a promise that everyone will rule over sin in this age, but it is a promise that everyone will ultimately be given dominion over sin in their lives\u2026 \u201cYou shall rule over him [sin]\u201d.<\/p>\n
The fact is that the promise of these words will not be realized by the masses of mankind in this age. The Lord ordained \u201cbefore the world began\u201d (2Ti 1:9) that He would bring all of mankind to Himself through two judgments. The first is at this moment upon \u201cthe house of God\u201d within His elect who are being judged at this very moment:<\/p>\n
2Ti 1:9\u00a0 Who hath saved us, and called\u00a0us<\/em>\u00a0with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace,\u00a0which was given us in Christ Jesus\u00a0before the world began,<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n1Pe 4:17\u00a0\u00a0For the time\u00a0is come<\/em><\/u><\/strong>\u00a0that\u00a0judgment must\u00a0begin at the house of God<\/u><\/strong>: and if\u00a0it<\/em>\u00a0first\u00a0begin<\/em>\u00a0at us<\/u><\/strong>, what shall the end\u00a0be<\/em>\u00a0of them that obey not the gospel of God?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\u201cJudgment must\u2026 first\u2026 begin at the house of God\u201d. \u201cThe house of God\u201d is \u201cHis body which is the church\u201d which is \u201cespoused to one husband\u201d. It must first begin \u201cat us\u201d. Christ tells us that if we are given to submit to Christ as our husband in \u201cthis present time\u201d (Rom 8:18), that fiery judgment is now upon us. It will be few indeed that will be subject to their husbands in this age. There will not be one married woman in the first resurrection who was not given in this age to overcome her rebellious carnal mind which just naturally pits her \u201cagainst [her] husband\u201d and has not submitted herself to her husband in every way possible without disobeying the words of our Lord.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour desire shall be against your husband\u201d tells you, as a wife, that you will by default, as a vessel of clay which is \u201cmarred in the Potter\u2019s hand\u201d, strive to be the head, to take the lead, to make the call instead of being patient with where the Lord has your husband and encouraging him to be the head and to take the lead and to make the call that has to be made.<\/p>\n
As we saw in yesterday\u2019s study, two cannot spiritually walk together if they do not agree.<\/p>\n
Amo 3:3\u00a0 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
No couple can have two heads, or two leaders. It is not possible as a couple or as a family to go to the right and to the left at the same time. No normal healthy body has two heads. Every healthy body has a single head, and if properly nourished in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, that one head will have a very submissive healthy body under that spiritually healthy head. If you as a wife simply will not submit to your husband, then you are in effect attempting to be his head. If your husband has a backbone and refuses to be led by his wife, then the fruit of a stubborn and rebellious spirit is all that can come of such a tormented relationship. That fruit will be either daily torment or the death of your marriage relationship or both. Do not continue, as a physical wife, claiming to know and obey Christ while refusing to submit to your husband in any way which does not require you to disobey the Lord\u2019s commandments. When you do so you are actually blaspheming His name:<\/p>\n
Tit 2:3\u00a0 The aged women likewise, that\u00a0they be<\/em>\u00a0in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
\nTit 2:4\u00a0 That they [\u201cthe aged women]\u00a0may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,<\/strong>
\nTit 2:5\u00a0\u00a0To be<\/em>\u00a0discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands,\u00a0that the word of God be not blasphemed.<\/u><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nWhen you as a wife, claiming to be a\u00a0 part of the very body of Christ, the church, the household of God, the pillar and ground of The Truth\u2026 refuse to submit to your husband, you are blaspheming the Word of God, and the name of God is blasphemed through you:<\/p>\n
Rom 2:21\u00a0 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
\nRom 2:22\u00a0 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
\nRom 2:23\u00a0 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
\nRom 2:24\u00a0\u00a0For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you<\/strong>, as it is written.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nNothing blasphemes the Word of God or His name more than hypocrisy. You say you believe God is working all things after the counsel of His own will:<\/p>\n
Eph 1:11\u00a0 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him\u00a0who worketh\u00a0all things<\/u>\u00a0after the counsel of his own will:<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nYou say that you believe the Lord when He tells you:<\/p>\n
Rom 8:28\u00a0 And we know that\u00a0all things<\/u>\u00a0work together for good\u00a0to them that love God<\/u>, to them who\u00a0are the called according to\u00a0his<\/em>\u00a0purpose<\/u>.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nIndeed, the Lord cannot lie, and all things really do work together for good to them that love Him, but the love of God is obedience to God. The love of God is not hollow words:<\/p>\n
1Jn 5:2\u00a0\u00a0By this<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0we know that we love the children of God [your husband], when we love God, and keep his commandments.
\n1Jn 5:3\u00a0 For this<\/strong><\/u>\u00a0is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nYou say you believe it is God who is doing all of this for your good, but when your husband pushes your buttons that all goes out the window, and you find yourself stubbing up \u201cagainst your husband\u201d. You simply cannot help it because you don\u2019t really believe or appreciate what the Lord is doing at all. What you really believe is that your husband is an evil man who must be resisted at all cost, and in so thinking and acting, you are \u201cblaspheming\u201d the Word of God, and you are blaspheming the name of God.<\/p>\n
What to do??? There is only one thing you as a Godly wife must do:<\/p>\n
1Pe 5:6\u00a0\u00a0Humble yourselves<\/strong>\u00a0therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
\n1Pe 5:7\u00a0\u00a0Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nYou are not commissioned to change your husband. You are commissioned and commanded to \u201chumble yourself\u2026\u201d Your husband is nowhere near as formidable an enemy to you as the wild beast you see in the mirror every day. Submit to your husband. In so doing you are submitting to Christ, and \u201ca meek and quiet spirit\u201d is of great value to Him:<\/p>\n
1Pe 3:1\u00a0 Likewise, ye wives,\u00a0be<\/em>\u00a0in subjection to your own husbands<\/strong>; that, if any obey not the word, they also may\u00a0without the word<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0be won\u00a0by the conversation of the wives<\/strong>;
\n1Pe 3:2\u00a0 While they behold your chaste conversation\u00a0coupled<\/em>\u00a0with fear.
\n1Pe 3:3\u00a0 Whose adorning let it not be that outward\u00a0adorning<\/em>\u00a0of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
\n1Pe 3:4\u00a0\u00a0But\u00a0let it be<\/em>\u00a0the hidden man of the heart<\/strong>, in that which is not corruptible,\u00a0even the ornament<\/em>\u00a0of a meek and quiet spirit<\/u><\/strong>, which is in the sight of God of great price.
\n1Pe 3:5\u00a0 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves,\u00a0being in subjection unto their own husbands<\/strong>:
\n1Pe 3:6\u00a0\u00a0Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nOr as the NET bible version has it:<\/p>\n
1Pe 3:6\u00a0 like Sarah who obeyed Abraham,\u00a0calling him\u00a0lord<\/u><\/strong>. You become her children when you do what is good and have no fear in doing so.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nThe feminazis have had so much influence on our society that most women are literally fearful of saying things like\u2026 \u2018I\u2019m a stay-at-home mother\u2019 or \u2018My husband is the head of our home\u2019. Don\u2019t any of you daughters of Christ ever be afraid of acknowledging that you fear God and keep His commandments. To do so is nothing less than denying Him.<\/p>\n
Now ask yourselves honestly, do you look upon your husband as your \u2018lord\u2019?<\/p>\n
I looked up the Greek for the word \u2018Lord\u2019 in verse 6, and this is what I found:<\/p>\n
G2962<\/strong>
\n\u03ba\u03c5\u0301\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03c2
\nkurios
\nkoo’-ree-os<\/em><\/p>\nFrom \u03ba\u03c5\u0342\u03c1\u03bf\u03c2 kuros (supremacy<\/em>);\u00a0supreme<\/em>\u00a0in authority, that is, (as noun)\u00a0controller<\/em>; by implication\u00a0Mr<\/em>. (as a respectful title): – God, Lord, master, Sir.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nThis is the same word in these verses:<\/p>\n
Joh 13:13 Ye call me Master and Lord [G2962]: and ye say well; for so<\/em>\u00a0I am.
\nJoh 13:14\u00a0 If I then,\u00a0your<\/em>\u00a0Lord [G2962] and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nThe book of Revelation ends with these words:<\/p>\n
Rev 22:21\u00a0 The grace of our Lord [G2962:\u00a0kurios<\/em>] Jesus Christ\u00a0be<\/em>\u00a0with you all, Amen.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nAlso, when the name \u2018Yahweh\u2019 is translated into the Greek in the New Testament, it is translated as G2962, \u2018kurios<\/em>\u2019.<\/p>\nPsa 110:1\u00a0 A Psalm of David.\u00a0The LORD [H3068:\u00a0Yahweh<\/em>] said unto my Lord, [H113:\u00a0adon<\/em>],\u00a0<\/strong>Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.<\/p>\nMar 12:36\u00a0 For David himself said\u00a0by the Holy Ghost<\/u>, The LORD [G2962:\u00a0kurios<\/em>] said to my Lord [G1962:\u00a0kurios<\/em>],\u00a0<\/strong>Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nWhy would the holy spirit call Christ, \u2018Kurios<\/em>\u2019, and why would the holy spirit inspire both Hebrew words, \u2018Yahweh\u2019 and \u2018adon\u2019, to be translated with the single Greek word \u2018kurios<\/em>\u2019? The answer is that Christ is the \u2018Yahweh\u2019 of the Old Testament, and that is the same word used to tell you wives how you should honor your husband.<\/p>\nEph 5:22\u00a0 Wives,\u00a0submit yourselves unto your own husbands,\u00a0as unto the Lord<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0[G2962, Kurios].
\nEph 5:23\u00a0\u00a0For the husband is the head of the wife<\/u><\/strong>, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
\nEph 5:24\u00a0\u00a0Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ<\/u><\/strong>, so\u00a0let<\/em>\u00a0the wives\u00a0be<\/em>\u00a0to their own husbands\u00a0in every thing<\/u><\/strong>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nAs I pointed out when speaking to the husbands, \u201cYou cannot change your wife. You must be patient with her as the Lord has been patient and has tolerated your rebellious ways for so long.\u201d The same is true for you wives. You cannot change your husband and make him the patient, loving, merciful leader you want Him to be. However, you can obey the Lord and submit to your husband, and notice what the Lord says:<\/p>\n
1Pe 3:1\u00a0 Likewise, ye wives,\u00a0be<\/em>\u00a0in subjection to your own husbands<\/strong>; that, if any obey not the word, they also may\u00a0without the word<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0be won\u00a0by the conversation of the wives<\/strong>;
\n1Pe 3:2\u00a0\u00a0While they behold your chaste conversation<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0coupled<\/em>\u00a0with fear.
\n1Pe 3:3\u00a0 Whose adorning let it not be that outward\u00a0adorning<\/em>\u00a0of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
\n1Pe 3:4\u00a0 But\u00a0let it be<\/em>\u00a0the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible,\u00a0even the ornament<\/em>\u00a0of\u00a0a meek and quiet spirit<\/u>, which is in the sight of God of great price.<\/strong>
\n1Pe 3:5\u00a0\u00a0For after this manner<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves,\u00a0being in subjection unto their own husbands:<\/u><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nNotice the words, \u201cwithout the word\u201d. What the holy spirit is telling you wives is that it is not your place to attempt to change your husband by preaching to him verbally. All your preaching to your husband is to be the same as the preaching of the church to this lost world which shows no sign or hint of being dragged to Christ. You are to be a light to your husband. We are all called \u201cthe light of the world\u201d. We are not called \u2018the bull horn of the world\u2019.<\/p>\n
Mat 5:14\u00a0\u00a0Ye are\u00a0the light<\/u>\u00a0of the world<\/strong>. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nThe word \u2018conversation\u2019 in 1 Peter 3:1 is an old English word for your way of life. Here is this section of scripture in the CEV:<\/p>\n
1Pe 3:1\u00a0 If you are a wife, you must put your husband first. Even if he opposes our message, you will win him over\u00a0by what you do<\/u>.<\/strong>\u00a0No one else will have to say anything to him,
\n1Pe 3:2\u00a0\u00a0because he will see how you honor God and live a pure life<\/strong>.
\n1Pe 3:3\u00a0 Don’t depend on things like fancy hairdos or gold jewelry or expensive clothes to make you look beautiful.
\n1Pe 3:4\u00a0\u00a0Be beautiful in your heart by being gentle and quiet<\/strong>. This kind of beauty will last, and God considers it very special. (CEV)<\/p><\/blockquote>\nWhat hope is there for a marriage where both of you are so stubborn that neither of you fear the Lord enough to do what He says to do? Christ is insulted and blasphemed when we are that stubborn.<\/p>\n
Luk 6:46\u00a0 Why do you keep on saying that I am your Lord, when you refuse to do what I say? (CEV)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
This chapter begins with the Greek word, G3668, \u2018homoios<\/em>\u2019, and this is what that word means:<\/p>\nAs I told the men, the only solution to an unhappy and dysfunctional marriage is to \u201cbe of one mind\u2026 the same mind\u2026 the mind of Christ\u201d.<\/p>\n
Now let\u2019s read just a little further here in 1 Peter 3:<\/p>\n
G3668<\/strong>
\n\u03bf\u0314\u03bc\u03bf\u03b9\u0301\u03c9\u03c2
\nhomoio\u0304s
\nhom-oy’-oce<\/em><\/p>\nAdverb from G3664;\u00a0similarly:<\/em>\u00a0– likewise, so.
\nTotal KJV occurrences: 30<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nThis word is an adverb meaning \u201csimilarly, likewise, so. Then what is similar to the subject of this chapter is the subject of the previous chapter which deals with how servants are to serve their masters:<\/p>\n
1Pe 2:18\u00a0 Servants,\u00a0be<\/em>\u00a0subject to\u00a0your<\/em>\u00a0masters with all fear;\u00a0not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.<\/strong>
\n1Pe 2:19\u00a0 For this\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
\n1Pe 2:20\u00a0\u00a0For what glory\u00a0is it,<\/em>\u00a0if,\u00a0when ye be buffeted for your faults<\/u>, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer\u00a0for it,<\/em>\u00a0ye take it patiently, this\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0acceptable with God<\/strong>.
\n1Pe 2:21\u00a0\u00a0For even hereunto were ye called<\/strong>: because Christ also suffered for us,\u00a0leaving us an example,\u00a0that ye should follow his steps<\/u>:<\/strong>
\n1Pe 2:22\u00a0 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
\n1Pe 2:23\u00a0\u00a0Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed\u00a0himself<\/em>\u00a0to him that judgeth righteously:<\/strong>
\n1Pe 2:24\u00a0 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
\n1Pe 2:25\u00a0 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nThat is the \u2018wherefore\u2019 of verse one of chapter three. \u201cEven hereunto [we are] called\u2026\u201d. Christ does not just talk. \u201c[He set] us an example, that we should follow His steps.\u201d We are called to be subject to evil rulers, to be subject to froward bosses, and for you wives, to be subject to angry and disobedient husbands while setting them a Christ-like example.<\/p>\n
If you say, \u201cI just cannot do it\u201d then I will certainly agree. It is more than is humanly possible to obey a husband who says he believes in the sovereignty of God, while he holds you responsible for your weaknesses and faults and is talking down to you and talking down about you to others. That is the very definition of treachery. Do not let yourself as a wife ever be guilty of being treacherous to your husband. Neither can I do such things as He requires of me. I simply cannot, of myself, be obedient to Christ\u2019s words which command me to \u201cresist not evil\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mat 5:38\u00a0 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
\nMat 5:39\u00a0 But I say unto you,\u00a0That ye resist not evil:<\/strong>\u00a0but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek,\u00a0turn to him the other also<\/strong>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nFortunately, nothing depends upon us. Our books have already been written, and what the Lord has written is what is happening around us every day. One thing we do know is written in the book of every man who has ever lived is that we will all be brought, by the Lord Himself, to our wits\u2019 end;<\/p>\n
Psa 107:25\u00a0 For [the Lord] commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
\nPsa 107:26\u00a0 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths:\u00a0their soul is melted because of trouble.<\/strong>
\nPsa 107:27\u00a0 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man,\u00a0and are at their wits’ end<\/strong>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nYour trials with your husband are not your husband\u2019s doings. He is the workmanship of the Lord, good or evil:<\/p>\n
Eph 2:10\u00a0 For\u00a0we are his workmanship<\/strong>, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,\u00a0which God hath\u00a0before ordained<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0that we should walk in them.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nThe Lord has not given any of us to see what He has written in our books, and He tells us it is so:<\/p>\n
Jas 4:14\u00a0 Whereas\u00a0ye know not<\/u>\u00a0what\u00a0shall be<\/em>\u00a0on the morrow<\/strong>. For what\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
\nJas 4:15\u00a0 For that ye\u00a0ought<\/em>\u00a0to say,\u00a0If the Lord will<\/strong>, we shall live, and do this, or that.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nSince you don\u2019t know what the Lord has in store for yourself or your husband, the Lord tells you to cry out to Him to deliver you and your husband from the wild beast and from the dragon who gives the wild beast his throne and his power. In spite of the fact that you, as a wife, simply cannot of yourself overcome the beast within, the Lord has faithfully provided a way of escape that you might be able to bear this trial.<\/p>\n
As I pointed out to all of the husbands who have wives in the last study, this is also your own only way of escape:<\/p>\n
Php 4:13\u00a0\u00a0I can<\/u>\u00a0do all things\u00a0through Christ<\/u>\u00a0which strengtheneth me<\/strong>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nNow let\u2019s get a little of \u201cthe sum of [the Lord\u2019s] word\u201d (Psa 119:160) together on this subject. When Christ tells us to \u201cturn\u2026 the other\u2026 cheek\u201d He is not telling us to just stand there and get beat up if we can flee. The exact opposite is true:<\/p>\n
Mat 10:23\u00a0 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another:<\/strong>\u00a0for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nYou wives are not required to endure physical abuse day in and day out. But \u201cas much as lies within you\u201d be patient with your husband if he is not physically abusing you. Wash him with the word of God if he will let you do so [Eph 5:26]. Above all be obedient to the Lord, and be a quiet light before your husband. Seek to \u201cbe of the same\u2026 one mind\u2026 the mind of Christ\u201d with your husband. As you are given to do so \u201cquietly, gently\u201d encourage your husband to lead his family both spiritually and physically. Do not ever talk down to your husband, and never talk negatively about him to strangers. Always be solicitous of the man whom the Lord has made your head in this present time. Whether he ever overcomes the beast of pride in this age is not yours to decide. Whether you ever overcome that same beast of pride in this life is not his to decide. It is one thing to seek counsel with both of you present seeking to find out how to better your marriage relationship. That is as commendable as the Corinthians seeking Paul\u2019s counsel. However, it is an entirely different spirit which will have you to speak evil of your husband behind his back:<\/p>\n
Tit 3:1\u00a0 Put them in mind to\u00a0be subject<\/strong>\u00a0to principalities and powers,\u00a0to obey<\/strong>\u00a0magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
\nTit 3:2\u00a0 To\u00a0speak evil of no man<\/u><\/strong>, to be no brawlers,\u00a0but<\/em>\u00a0gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
\nTit 3:3\u00a0 For we ourselves also\u00a0were<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0sometimes foolish,\u00a0disobedient<\/strong>, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful,\u00a0and<\/em>\u00a0