Loading... 1 Peters 3:7 - DWELL WITH THEM
Monday, August 31st, 20091 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
In this passage, Peter is reminding men that God made men and women different. Men are being instructed that they cannot treat their wives as one of the boys. God gave women a tenderness that men naturally do not have. However, rather than despise a woman for this perceived weakness, men are being instructed in this passage that they are to honor their wives and cherish them for the way that God made them.
At the end of this passage is a reminder of the importance to husbands of learning to properly love their wives. We are told that if men do not properly treat their wives with honor, then their prayers will be hindered. It is important to understand that God made the husband and wife as one. If the husband and wife are not living in an oneness of spirit, why should they expect that their prayers will be answered by God?
If a child has been misbehaving all day, you would not expect the parent to give the child what he wanted when he wanted it? If an employee had just broken a bunch of rules and then came to the boss to ask the boss if they could have the afternoon off, the boss most likely would not give it. If it is such common sense that one should follow the rules if they desire to obtain something from someone else, why is it such a difficult concept to understand that men need to learn to live as one with their wives if they desire God to answer their prayers?
God designed men and women different. We are told in Genesis 1:27 that “in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” If you want to understand God a little better, study HIS creation. God tells us that HE made us in HIS image. That means that some of the characteristics of God can be seen in a man and some of the characteristics of God can be seen in the woman. When husband and wife are living together in an oneness of spirit, then a new and exciting demonstration can be seen of the image of God.
It is very easy for men to become absorbed in themselves. However, this is not the way that God designed the marriage relationship. God gave men great strength but they are not to use that strength to lord over their wives. Instead, God desires that men learn to add temperance to their lives so that they can work with their wives in such a way that the two can become one. Learning to live with your wife may not always be the easiest thing to do, but by God’s grace, you can develop an oneness that reveals to the world the love of God.
In the book of Acts, we are given a beautiful example of an oneness of marriage. We are shown the lives of Aquila and Priscilla. This couple is found working together in their trade of tent making. However, as they both were disciple by Paul, God used this couple then to disciple others. This couple learned how to work together and God blessed them by giving them a ministry working together.
It is natural for men to use their strength to lord over their wives. However, just because this is what the world does, it does not mean that it is right in the eyes of God. God desires that men learn to temper their behavior so as to become one with their wife. Marriage is designed by God for the two to become one. It takes sacrifice, but God will bless the oneness of your marriage.