1 Peter 3:1-6 “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; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.”
In verse 4, Peter continues his instruction to the wives with, “let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” I would like to state that in my lifetime of trying to follow the Lord, there have been true ladies that have made an everlasting impression upon my life. They weren’t necessarily the prettiest in outward appearance, but the inward part of them which was pure toward God shown through and made them a radiant example to all that would come in contact with them.
For a moment let me share with you what the scripture says (not this writer) about a quiet spirit. Proverbs 19:13 “13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.” A similar scripture is found in Proverbs 27:15 “15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.” I know we all have heard a continual drip, drip, drip, on a rainy day, perhaps hitting a metal pan or a leak in your house that is dripping into a pot. Whatever the case, this can get on your nerves and become very annoying. Solomon is telling us in these writings in Proverbs that there is a comparison between continual dropping of water and a contentious woman. Furthermore, Solomon said in Proverbs 21:9 “9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, Than with a brawling woman in a wide house.” And again in Proverbs 25:24 “24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.” This is the word of God, given to holy men of old who wrote it down under the inspiration of God. These are not my thoughts, not the thoughts of any professor or psychologist, and not even the thoughts of a marriage counselor. These come straight from God and if they are carried out the way they are written down, if they are observed and corrections made to the lives that need it, then indeed one would see that it still holds true today.
Ricky Wilborn
Fort Payne, AL
