Fear Not! A Guide to Living a Fearless LifeSample

God’s Marriage Model

“For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear” (1 Peter 3:5-6, NIV).

Scripture tells us that Sarah was a real looker, meaning she was very beautiful. “The Egyptians saw that she was a very beautiful woman” (Genesis 12:14, NIV). However, Sarah was ninety years old when she bore Isaac. Over time, age and gravity take a toll on even the most beautiful women. Proverbs 31 tells us, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (Proverbs 31:30, NIV).

God told Samuel, “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7, NKJV). Peter is telling us that Sarah had that inward beauty as well; she was holy, believed in God, and was submissive to her husband. Yes, he used the “s” word.

Today’s society views submission as a weakness, and women should be anything but submissive. However, it has clearly been taken out of context (and yes, even by believers). This submission model only works when the husband submits his life to Christ. In total submission to Christ, the husband can then love his wife as Christ loved the church. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25, NIV).

Paul tells us, “This is a profound mystery — but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband” (Ephesians 5:32-33, NIV). You can bet that if this is a profound mystery, Satan is going to do his best to distort it — and he has. If the husband loves his wife in the proper manner, giving her the love, honor, and respect she deserves, she, in turn, can love her husband submissively. Just to be clear: this marriage model came from God. It is not a suggestion; it works when followed properly.

Men, this is not one of those things where you can just say the right thing; you must do the right thing also. Husbands are “to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word” (Ephesians 5:25, NIV). Husbands, you are to provide the covering and protection for your wife, and when you do that, your wife can live fearlessly as a Proverbs 31 woman. Your children will see this model work and emulate it, having successful marriages and raising fearless kids of their own.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, help me to follow Your marriage model. I realize that both the male and female are to be in submissive relationships for this to work correctly. I pray others will see something in my marriage that they want to emulate. In Jesus name, amen.