A Winning Attitude

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, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.

1 Peter 3:1-2 (NIV)

Today, talking about a wife's submission to her husband is problematic. The very meaning of the word is, directly or indirectly, misinterpreted. Even Christian women do not accept its application. While for some women, submission means obeying without question, for others, it means being under the strict control of their husband. Therefore, asking a wife to submit to her husband is tantamount to asking her to be a slave to her own husband.

Several verses in the Bible exhort wives to submit to their husbands, just as others exhort husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the Church. Two points are worth emphasizing in this verse. First, the word "submission" has nothing to do with blind obedience or strict control. Second, the positive effects that submission can have on the life of an unbelieving husband. Understanding these two points, we understand that submission is more of an attitude of humility and respect that a wife displays toward her husband to win his heart.

Contrary to popular belief, submission is not a responsibility, but rather a role, which translates into a behavior or attitude adopted according to one's position. Therefore, a wife's role is to submit to her husband, that is, to adopt an attitude of humility and respect toward him. If God asks you to submit to your husband, it is not to enslave or silence you, but rather to use you to win his heart and bring him to spiritual consecration. Adopt an attitude of conquest to win your husband for the glory of God.

May the grace and peace of God be with you all.