1 Peter 3:1-6
June 15, 2025
Dr. Mark S. Hartman, Lead Pastor – SCBC
1. GOD DESIGNED MARRIAGE TO REFLECT MUTUAL SACRIFICE — BUT IN DIFFERENT WAYS. (Ephesians 5:22-25)
A.Ephesians 5:22, 25 22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her...”
1. To submit means to voluntarily place another person's needs and desires above your own. It means to willingly take second place.
2.To love means to voluntarily give yourself away to meet another person’s needs and desires in place of your own. It means to willingly take second place.
B.God used two different words that have the same foundational meaning but two words that apply that meaning differently, according to the greatest need of their mate.
1. A wife has an innate need to be loved, to be special, to be cherished by her husband.
2. A husband has an innate need to be respected by his wife as the servant leader in their home.
3.Love is a central need of a woman. Respect is a central need of a man.
2.GOD GIVES WIVES A POWERFUL TOOL TO IMPACT THEIR HUSBANDS. (1 Peter 3:1-2)
A.1 Peter 3:1-2 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your pure and respectful behavior. (NASB)
B.THREE PRINCIPLES FOR INFLUENCING YOUR HUSBAND
Principle #1 – Most men are usually not changed by words. (1 Peter 3:1)
1.1 Peter 3:1 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives.
2.One of the great differences between men and women is that women are oftentimes far more impacted by words than men.
Principle #2 – Real change in a man comes through the pressure of the Holy Spirit.
Principle #3 – You can cooperate with the Holy Spirit by showing respect, even when it’s hard.
1.Respect is a decision, not just a feeling.
a.The first way God is asking you to cooperate with Him is in your lifestyle. (1 Peter 3:3-4)
b.The word pure means decent and modest. (1 Peter 3:2)
c.1 Peter 3:3-4 Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. (NASB)
d.God is not saying that you are now not supposed to dress up and look your best. One of the needs of a husband is that his wife look her very best.
e.The most convincing thing you can do to impact your husband’s spiritual life is to authentically live your life for Christ. Let your husband see the life change God is creating in you.
2.Respect is powerful because it touches the deepest part of your husband’s soul.
1 Peter 3:2 …as they observe your pure and respectful behavior.