Topic: A WIFE’S BEAUTY
THEME SCRIPTURE:
1 Peter 3:3-4 (NKJV)
[3] Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— [4] rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
MESSAGE:
We said in our previous devotion, that, a wife can win a disobedient husband by her reverence for him, but admittedly, there are wives who have obeyed God’s Word by submitting to their husbands with all reverence, yet, they were maltreated by their husbands. Some wives have gone through painful divorce, while others have even lost their lives.
Such is the paradox of life! Wives who have suffered unjustly despite their submission, can commit everything to God who judges righteously. At least, they did their part; and God, who is faithful, will reward both wife and husband, according to each person’s deeds.
From our theme Scripture, we see how Apostle Peter admonishes wives, not to place undue emphasis on outward beauty to the neglect of the inner one. What Apostle Peter points out to wives, is for them to prioritize inner beauty above outward adornment. Of what use is outward beauty if one is rotten within? Of what benefit is all the embellishments if one is rude and disrespectful? Inner beauty is contagious! Inner beauty is captivating! When a wife has inner beauty, it shows! Such beauty is irresistible! Apostle Peter says, such beauty is precious in the sight of God, and gave Sarah as an example (1Peter 3: 5-6).
Unfortunately, some people have misinterpreted our theme Scripture and condemned the use of make-ups and ornaments. Such people have gone off on a tangent. Scripture never said wives shouldn’t arrange their hair, wear gold or put on fine apparel. It said, their beauty shouldn’t be merely outward alone. In other words, wives must give first priority to inner beauty, but it doesn’t mean they should look shabby. Sarah, who was used as an example by Apostle Peter, got attracted to Pharaoh, king of Egypt (Genesis 12) and Abimelech, king of Gerar (Genesis 20). Abraham, her husband, described her as “a woman of beautiful countenance” (Genesis 12:11, NKJV). Meaning, Sarah was beautiful within and without. This is the balance! Wives must keep the balance, but should endeavour to do the first things first.
