Devotional | Winning Your Husband to the Gospel

1 Peter 3 offers profound wisdom for Christian women, especially those whose husbands do not share their faith. Let’s explore how these verses can guide us in living out our faith (allowing Christ to live in and through us in the details of our lives) and potentially winning our husbands to Christ through our godly living.

“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; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.” (1 Peter 3:1-2, KJV)

1 Peter is written specifically to those Jewish believers (and any gentile believers) during the tribulation period. The 7 year tribulation, also called "Jacobs trouble" starts sometime after the church the Body of Christ is raptured up into heaven. It is the resumption of God's prophetic program with Israel. Although 1 Peter is specifically written to those believers going through the tribulation period, there is still much that we can learn from it for us today in the dispensation of grace. If these believing Jewish women going through the most horrible period in history can "keep silent" and not preach to their husbands but rather teach them through their godly living, then certainly we can do that today in our dispensation of grace!

So, Peter’s words remind us of the powerful impact our behavior can have on those around us, especially our husbands. By living a life of purity, respect, and reverence, we can reflect Christ’s love and grace in a way that words alone cannot. This is not only important for women whose husbands are still unbelievers, but even for women whose husbands are believers because our chaste and holy conversation can encourage them to continue to read and study God's word for themselves so that they are also living godly lives.

The phrase “without the word” means first of all that women are not to preach the gospel or teach the Bible to their husbands. If we aren't supposed to do that with our own husbands, then why would we preach the word to any other men either? This aligns with Paul's teaching that women are to be silent in the churches, meaning we are to allow the men to preach/teach in the churches. Women are not to be preachers or teach the bible to men. Older godly women can teach younger women biblical womanhood and issues pertaining to women, as well as to teach other bible studies to women only (and children). That's in Titus 2:3-5. So how do we win our husband over, or any other men that we might know like our physical brothers, our fathers etc without the word? We teach them by our godly and chaste lifestyle! This verse emphasizes the importance of our conduct. Our husbands may be won over by observing our godly behavior, seeing the transformation in our lives, and experiencing the peace and joy that come from our relationship with Christ. This silent witness can be incredibly powerful and persuasive.

Peter encourages women to focus on inner beauty, describing it as “the hidden man of the heart” adorned with a “meek and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4, KJV). This inner beauty is precious in God’s sight and can have a profound impact on our husbands. By cultivating a gentle and quiet spirit, we demonstrate the character of Christ and create an atmosphere of love and respect in our homes.

Consider how your actions and attitudes reflect your faith. Are there areas where you can demonstrate more patience, kindness, grace, love and respect? Reflect on how your conduct can be a silent witness to your husband and others around you.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the wisdom of Your Word. Help us as women to live out our faith through our actions, especially in our marriages. May our conduct reflect Your love and grace, and may it be a powerful witness to our husbands. Give us the strength to cultivate a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in Your sight. In Christ's name I pray, Amen.

“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: 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.” (1 Peter 3:5-6, KJV)

May you find peace and fulfillment in living out the principles of 1 Peter 3, knowing that your godly conduct is a beautiful offering to the Lord and a powerful witness to your husband.