1999-12-24 - Final Words for Wives

The Family Series, Part 6
God's Plan for the Family

2 Peter 3:1 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; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

Last week's devotional was a setup for this week's, I will admit it. Arguments are easy to come by and hard to stop. We can so easily get into the habit of arguing about things, that we don't even know where it starts or why. I have noticed one thing, though: It is easy to argue. It is hard to stop without our Holy Spirit guiding us and zipping our lips for us.

There have been times when I can literally hear Him telling me to not say "it", whatever "it" is. Some things are better off left unsaid.

Our husbands hear us and hear us and hear us, and eventually shut us out. If our husbands haven't come to the place where they have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, our words are just -- words. Even kind words are just words.

Actions, though -- actions speak much louder than words. We can win our husbands to a relationship with Jesus, ladies, with the things we do, the kindnesses we show, the example we live. Not cold shoulders, but warm hearts. First Corinthians tells us how to love; Philippians tells how to live graciously.

Do you love your husbands, ladies? Show them.

Father, for years, we have had hard hearts. We demand our rights, loudly. We are wrong. Your word says that we are to put ourselves last and to esteem everyone else as better than ourselves. We don't. Father, forgive us. We are sinners. As Eve reached for that fruit, every single one of us women were behind her egging her on, cheering for her. Oh God, forgive us. Our demanding our rights has split apart our homes. Give us the courage to take the back seat, as it were, so that our husbands can move to the front and be the priests in our home. Give us the strength to pray for them, through Your word. You love us; help us to love them through You. May You receive all of the glory and all of the praise. Thank You for the example of Your Son, Who was obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross. Amen

Sandi

cfdevsandi@yahoo.com
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