In last week’s post, I talked about submission in 1 Peter 2 & 3. Lest you think submitting to your husband makes you inferior to him, I wanted to continue in that passage today.
Peter includes only one verse that speaks directly to husbands, but it sure packs a punch! Let’s look at 1 Peter 3:7:
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
Am I right to assume reading that verse got your hackles up?? There are several things in this verse that can rub us the wrong way, but let’s unpack it a bit. I think you’ll find it becomes a comfort to you.
When Peter commands husbands to live with their wives in an understanding way, the idea is to do life together. This isn’t describing a domineering husband with a floor mat of a wife. Doing life together implies a partnership, and partnership implies equality.
The term translated “weaker” in reference to the woman is speaking of physical strength. Whatever you may believe about gender roles, you can’t deny that physical strength lies on the side of the man. This is not a slight to women, however, who are natural nurturers and care givers.
Peter specifically references the equality in God’s eyes when he tells husbands that their wives are “heirs with you of the grace of life.” We can’t be co heirs if we are not equals.
You can submit to authority and still be equal in importance. Christ is not inferior to God, yet He submits to God’s will.
Although you can’t control how your husband responds to you, submitting to your husband is a strong testament to your faith in God.
I recently went through a study of 1 Peter 2 & 3, and a portion of these chapters talks about submission. In the midst of discussing submitting to the government and employers, Peter reminds us that wives should submit to their husbands.
Can I be honest and tell you this has always been a struggle for me? In reality, I don’t just struggle with submitting to my husband; I struggle with submitting to any authority. And I don’t think I’m alone. My mom tells a story about my sister who was refusing to sit down. Once she finally obeyed, she spouted, “I may be sitting on the outside, but on the inside, I’m still standing!”
What I discovered in my study is that submission to my husband has nothing to do with my husband. It isn’t something he earns like a reward for good behavior, and it isn’t something he loses because he didn’t meet my expectations.
My submission to my husband has everything to do with my relationship with God! It is trusting that God will work in and through my husband for the benefit of our family and our community. In fact, Peter speaks of a wife’s submission as a means for her husband to walk closer with God. The other side of that coin is if I don’t submit to my husband, I could hinder his walk with the Lord!
I don’t know about you, but it might take me a minute to digest this one! Though it will continue to be a struggle for me, I pray the Holy Spirit brings this passage to mind each time I start to rebel. Can I pray for you, too?
I love how Scripture gives us the tools we need to renew our minds and become more Christ-like!
I remember when I started reading the book of Joel. I had recently attended a Living Proof Live conference with Priscilla Shirer, and she had taught us her 5 Ps of Bible Study. I wanted to put the system to the test, so I chose a short book in the Bible that I didn’t know too much about. It’s funny how God leads you to things because, if I had known that Joel is a book about locusts, I probably would have done a 180 right into another book.
I struggled through the first few days of “poring over the passage” and “paraphrasing the major points.” The major points? It’s about locusts! How on earth was I going to “pull out any spiritual principles” and apply them to my life? Because…LOCUSTS. Some of my notes are along the lines of “I don’t know what to do with this passage.” Some passages brought more questions than answers.
What I haven’t told you is I was going through a deep mourning in my life. During the time I was studying this passage, my dad was being shuffled between nursing homes and the hospital because he kept falling down: locusts. He was forgetting how to swallow and was wasting away: locusts. I had recently started homeschooling my kids, so I had lost a big part of my community: locusts. My kids were struggling with loneliness as a result of our decision: locusts. My relationship with my family was strained: locusts. I was terrified that I would inherit my dad Alzheimer’s and was frantically searching for preventative measures: locusts.
Though I wasn’t experiencing judgment from God for turning my back on Him, I began to understand what the Israelites must have felt. The truth is the bad things that happen in this life may not be directly connected to my personal sin, but they are the result of sin.
As I ended chapter 2 of the book of Joel, God makes a promise. If the Israelites will turn back to Him, He “will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.” I came to this passage shortly after my dad had gone to Heaven. What a hope it gives me!
Not everything the locusts have eaten will be restored to me here on earth, but little by little, I have watched God mend broken relationships, give me and my kids an amazing community of friends, and take away my fears of illness. And when I get to Heaven EVERYTHING will be restored!
But wait… there’s more!
Not only will God restore what the locusts have eaten, but He will bring His armies to fight for you! He will be your Strength and your Defender! All who come against you will know that you have God on your side! That’s the end of the book of Joel: an amazing promise of protection and victory.
Often we avoid the books of the Bible that we can’t understand at first glance. We prefer to read the books that make us feel good or give us a step-by-step checklist or keep us entertained with a story line. But the entire Bible is a love letter from God, and when we pick and choose or skip over portions of it, we miss big chunks of the beautiful picture of love and redemption.
Think About It:
1. Is there a book of the Bible the Holy Spirit has nudged you toward, but you have avoided?
2. Can you recognize “locusts” in your life that you need to surrender to God?
I’ve had a lot of people ask how I come up with the notes I write in my Bible. I felt a video would be a better way to show this. Although, I switch my resources up, the system I use stays consistent.
Feel free to drop any questions you may have in the comments, and I would love to know if you implement this study method!
When my dad was diagnosed with dementia and we started to see the effects of Alzheimer’s take over his mind, I realized I had been operating under an incorrect theology.
My dad was a missionary kid, missionary, Bible college professor, and pastor. He was very intelligent, financially savvy, and good with words. When he was diagnosed with dementia, and we watched Alzheimer’s take him away from us, I was so angry. It just wasn’t fair! This is the thanks he gets for dedicating his entire life to serving the Lord?! That is when I realized my theology was wrong. I was operating under the assumption that checking all the right boxes guarantees a happy and blessed life.
The truth is, blessing does follow obedience, but it doesn’t always look like we expect. In fact, the blessings in our lives have nothing to do with who we are or what we have done. The blessings in our lives are based solely on who He is. I haven’t earned any of the blessings in my life. I don’t deserve any good that comes my way.
It made me realize that as much as I criticize the entitlement displayed by our society today, that is exactly how I was operating. Therefore, my word of the year in 2019 is…
UNDERSERVING
I want to be reminded that God loves me because of who He is, not because of who I am. He loves me because of what He has done, not because of what I have done.
As believers, we know we need to read the Bible. I remember songs I sang as a kid to remind me to “read your Bible, pray every day, and you’ll grow, grow, grow.” Oftentimes we just don’t know where to start. Do I look up a topic in the concordance and read all the passages it lists? Do I start in Genesis and work my way through to Revelation (knowing full well I won’t get past Leviticus)? Do I close my eyes, open my Bible, and point to a passage, “letting the Holy Spirit guide my study”?
Throughout the years, I have come across many study tools to help me with not only reading my Bible, but also applying it to my daily life. I have taken what has worked for me and implemented it in my study time. I pray these tips will ease some of the pressure and frustration when it comes to reading your Bible.
Tip 1: Prepare to hear from the Holy Spirit.
Don’t approach this time as merely an opportunity to check off a box on your “to do” list but as a time to learn about Who God is.
Find a place away from distraction (keep a pen and paper handy for the thoughts that won’t let you concentrate).
Pray the Holy Spirit will calm your mind and show you what He has for you today. Not every day will bring an earth-shattering revelation, but as your knowledge builds, those moments will happen.
Tip 2: Read/study through a book of the Bible.
You don’t have to start in Genesis, but you should choose a book to work through from beginning to end so you aren’t pulling verses out of context to suit your needs.
If you are a new believer and want to get a handle on what Jesus taught, I recommend starting with the book of John.
If you are a “seasoned” believer and want to know more about a practical faith lived out, I recommend the book of James.
If you want a short book just to get your feet wet, the Epistles or some of the minor prophets in the Old Testament would fit the bill.
Honestly, you can’t go wrong here. Just choose a book and work your way through it.
Tip 3: It doesn’t have to look a certain way.
Choose a time of day that works for you. When is your mind sharpest? When do you do your best learning?
Begin reading and stop when you feel led. You don’t have to read a whole book, chapter, or even paragraph in one sitting. There are some short sections that take a while to fully unpack.
Don’t think you must have the “right” Bible, the best pens, or the brightest highlighters to get started. Just start.
Tip 4: Find a guide to help with personal application.
If all you can do is read your Bible, then do that. But if you want to dig a little deeper and see how the Bible, a book that was written so long ago, applies to your life today, ask some questions.
I have found many lists throughout the years, so I know you can search them out for yourself, but here are a few I like to ask:
What is happening in the passage? (I like to write it out in my own words.)
What is God teaching me about Himself? Which attribute does this passage demonstrate? (Do a search for the attributes of God if needed.)
What is the spiritual principle addressed? Is it pointing out a sin, giving a command, making a promise, etc.?
How should this principle change me (my attitude, behavior, commitment, expectation, etc.)?
How can I pray this passage? (I like to write out a short prayer.)
There is nothing wrong with using Bible studies or apps to help with your study. I use the First5 app, the swHw app, and the Blue Letter Bible app. But everything must be tested against Scripture before it is fully trusted. People are fallible, Scripture is not.
