Submission and Beauty

I'm a wife.  Sometimes I have problems with the word "submit" or "obey".  I like being in control.  I don't like being told what to do.  I'm pretty sure if you are a woman and you are reading this you feel the exact same way, especially when it comes to your husband.  But, let me ask you this:  Do you allow your husband to be the head of the household?  If you want to know what Peter tells us in this next chapter, read on!

"Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,  when they see your respectful and pure conduct." ~1 Peter 3:1-2

Peter gives us clear instructions on how to behave toward our husbands.  It may not be what the world says we should do, but it is how God wants us to behave.  The women that Peter was talking to were wives of men who were not saved.  So, with that in mind, this was for evangelistic purposes.  He was telling these women that their behavior, being will to be submissive to their husbands, would be and influence to their husbands.  Being submissive didn't mean taking abuse.  It meant having a servant's heart.  See that in verse 2, he says we should be "respectful' and have "pure conduct".  We are to be an example.  This verse gives me hope.  Look at it.  If we are respectful and pure in conduct, we could lead someone to Christ without ever saying a word.  Isn't that great news?

Another thing in 1 Peter 3 I would like to point out is how Peter describes the beauty of a woman.  

"Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear-but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." ~1 Peter 3:3-4

Let me ask a few questions.  How much time do you spend in front of the mirror each morning?  How much time do you spend fixing your hair?  Do you buy a lot of makeup?  Do you go every couple of weeks for a mani/pedi?  Do you buy a lot of beauty products and then spend a lot of time using them?  What about your clothing?  Do you choose your clothing just to get the attention of a man (even your husband)?

My point in these questions is this:  Do you spend more time getting beautified than you do with Jesus?  Your outward appearance should not be your chief concern.  Rather, Peter points out that what is most important is the "gentle and quiet spirit".  The outer appearance does very little to win the world to Christ.