A Submissive Spirit Will Draw Others To God

Introduction: This morning we are going to look at Peter’s comments concerning submissiveness. Several months we looked at Ephesians 5 and the phrase said “Wives submit to your own husband.” I told you then that the word “submit” was not there in the Greek. Well it is present in Peter’s writing. Peter’s message to us here today sets the stage for just how important a good witness really is in this world.

Attention: Did you ever wonder just how powerful a truly gentle spirit is when compared to others we see every day?

Today we will look at…. Let’s read:

Passage: 1 Peter 3:1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward -- arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel -- 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror. 7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. (NKJV)

Need: People need the Lord and your spirit can have an effect on them. Every believer needs to make a conscious choice about where they personally stand in regards to serving the Lord with their life. People do see how you live and talk in this world and that does have an impact on how others feel about and the Christ you serve.

Textual Idea: In our passage, Peter speaks to the issue of the effects of a submissive spirit, adornment; he compares women of his day to Sarah, Abraham’s wife and then comments to husbands on how to regard your own wife.

Interrogative: So let me ask this morning’s question: Is the idea of submission a real part of your life or is it something to you that our culture has outdated?

Transition: Our text this morning makes comment to both husbands and wives and suggests that our obedience to them can and does have an effect on how others view our Lord.

1. Wives are to be submissive to their own husband; whether or not he is a believer or an obedient believer.

Explanation: In any orderly grouping of people there is always a leader. In the family God ordained that it would be the husband. I realize that this teaching is counter to what modern culture says, but it is not God or Scriptural teaching that has moved.

Illustration: Driving down a country road in Tennessee, I came to a narrow bridge. In front of the bridge, a sign was posted: "YIELD." Seeing no oncoming cars, I continued across the bridge. On my way back, I came to the same one-lane bridge, now from the other direction. To my surprise, I saw another YIELD sign posted. Curious, I thought, "I’m sure there was one posted on the other side." When I reached the other side of the bridge I looked back. Sure enough, yield signs had been placed at both ends of the bridge. Drivers from both directions were requested to give right of way. It was a reasonable and gracious way of preventing a head-on collision. When the Bible commands Christians to "be subject to one another" (Ephesians 5:21) it is simply a reasonable and gracious command to let the other have the right of way and avoid interpersonal head-on collisions.

Argumentation: A person who is unwilling to be led is not worthy or capable of leading.

Application: How is your “followship.” It is here that one’s ability to lead is developed. Scripture is very clear that regardless of your husband’s level of “surrenderedness” the Lord can use your gentle and quiet spirit to bring him to a position of salvation. Let the Holy Spirit do the convicting of sin. You make sure that your mouth does not ever say, “Judgment day is coming, turn or burn…” Those comments did not come from God on the contrary – while they may be factual statement they usurp or take control of who it is in life who is supposed to do the convicting of sin. If it is you, then know that you are wrong. It is the Holy Spirit’s job.