True Beauty
Opening Prayer
Lord, in You all fullness dwells. Help me to draw life from You alone.
Read 1 PETER 3:1-7
[1] Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, [2] when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. [3] Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. [4] Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. [5] For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, [6] like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. [7] Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Who or what do you consider beautiful?Peter has looked at some very practical areas for Christ-like living in an alien culture. He has mentioned attitudes to government and authority, and now he turns to marriage. Peter was a married man–Jesus healed his mother-in-law (Mark 1:30). Peter wants marriage to be beautiful, and for a wife to be beautiful–specifically from the beauty of a lovely spirit. He doesn’t say that a wife shouldn’t wear jewelry and expensive clothes, but rather that beauty should come from the inner heart.Part of this beauty is shown when we submit to one another’s needs. The original Greek word “submit” had more than one meaning–it also conveyed “a voluntary giving way.” It’s used to describe Christ’s attitude in his relationship to his earthly parents and to his heavenly Father. It’s choosing not to insist on our rights. Peter says, “Wives, don’t dominate, it’s not beautiful. And husbands–be exceptionally loving.” Today, celebrities and social media set standards of what beauty should be. However, such beauty is skin deep and doesn’t last. What does last is inner beauty–loveliness that comes from God’s Spirit within us.
Apply
Ask the Lord to increase his Spirit in you, and for the beauty of the Spirit to be seen.
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