Honoring God In Difficult Marriages | 1 Peter 3:1-7

Scripture

• 1 Peter 3:1–7

About this sermon

Introduction: We said, this morning, that today as we look at 1 Peter 3:1-7, we would think about difficult marriages. When we come to the instruction given to the husband in verse 7, we must admit there is no mention of the kind of difficulty that we considered when wives were addressed in verses 1-6. So, difficulty in marriage is not expressly stated in the case of the husband. But I would ask you to remember a few things as we think about a husband’s God-given responsibilities. I would remind us that there is nothing in the text that would allow a husband in a difficult marriage to ignore what he’s taught here. That’s important because we know that there are faithful husbands in difficult marriages too. We have some of those husbands in our church. There are men who love Christ, and who strive to love their wives, but they have a wife who doesn’t love Christ. I would also remind you that verse 7 begins with the word “likewise” also. Peter is advancing his instruction. Up to this point, everything that leads to chapter 3 (as I demonstrated this morning) addressed the difficulties of living the Christian life in hostile territory. We are like exiles. We are strangers, pilgrims. Just because difficulties, in the case of the husband, are not make explicit, doesn’t mean that the context wouldn’t encourage us to remember that a husband must live this out even when it’s difficult. Finally, I would remind us of what immediately follows this instruction to husbands. There is more encouragement about the difficulties that will be faced by Christians in this world, and how believers must live pure and obedient lives in the face of it. So, when I take all of that into account, I see that the instruction for husbands is dropped right into the middle of ongoing instruction about how to live the Christian life in difficulty. So, the question we consider is: How should a saved man treat his wife? Remember what a saved man is. A man who has given his life to Jesus Christ. A man whose sins have been forgiven A man who has been reconciled to God A man whose heart has been transformed A man who has the Spirit of God residing within him A man who is being shepherded by Christ and has fellowship with God, and is being taught the scriptures What should he look like as a husband? What will he be becoming like, as a pattern, when it comes to the treatment of his wife? It’s that pattern for Christian husbands that is set before us in verse 7. What God says to us here we can think about using three words. (1) CONSIDERATION (2) HONOR (3) FEAR • THE CONSIDERATION THAT CHARACTERIZES GODLY HUSBANDS – EVEN IN DIFFICULT MARRIAGES The statement here is that husbands are to "live with, or dwell together with their wives in an understanding way. It carries the force of an imperative. It is a command. Men, this is what we are commanded to do. But what does it mean? • UNDERSTANDING OF GOD'S WILL The overarching truth is that we are to live with our wives according to knowledge. Gnosis is the word. With understanding is what it means. QUESTION: Does it mean an understanding of the wife, or does it mean an understanding of God's will? The knowledge is not specified. Most opt for the idea that he is referring to an understanding of the woman. If that is the case, then the idea is one of “consideration.” We don’t live with our wives thoughtlessly. We don’t mindlessly approach the relationship. H.B. Charles — “To live with your wife according to knowledge requires that you understand God’s word. But you also need to understand your wife. This involves more than superficial knowledge. More than her favorite foods, places, or brands, know your wife’s moods, views, strengths, needs, fears, hurts, and goals. You can only attain this knowledge by living with your wife in an understanding way. Her parents, girlfriends, and colleagues cannot teach you to know your wife. You must study your wife for yourself. It does not require intense research.  • Spend time.  • Listen carefully.  • Pay attention.  • Show concern.  • Get involved.  • Practice chivalry.  • Encourage her.”