Be a wife of real influence!

It seems to me that one of the issues that weighs heavily on the hearts of wives is the desire to influence their husbands and children to better things, especially to influence them toward a stronger commitment to Christ. The problem is that many of the tactics used seem to have the reverse effect causing much frustration and division in the home.
God has laid out a plan in 1 Peter 3:1-6 to help wives have real influence that will be embraced by her family! However, I must warn you that His plan will require a real leap of faith and a complete change of mindset.
Are you ready?
In chapter 2, He explains that in this world we(Christians) will be falsely accused of being evil and that we will suffer mistreatment and injustice by those in various places of authority. His command is to continue to do good and allow our godly lifestyle to eventually silence all evil talk. He points to Christ as our example of bearing up in righteousness when mistreated. Then, He begins to address the home.
The first statement He gives wives is to submit to their husbands. This term does mean to obey, but rather to live in a cooperative attitude. In Proverbs 21:9 we are told that a husband would rather live on a rooftop(homeless?) in peace than to live in a wonderful house with a wife who is quarrelsome. Husbands respond well to a warm cooperative attitude. We could spend a lot of time on this topic, but I think you get the point.
The next statement is a reference to the wife's lifestyle. The KJV uses the word conversation, but in the original the word refers to coming and going...lifestyle both in and out of the home. The lifestyle referred to here is one that is holy or free from defilement, cleansed, or pure. In other words, wives should be in a constant state of growing in the fruit of the Holy Spirit(as all believers should) and being a cooperative companion who fills the home with good qualities rather than complaining, demanding, and threatening. Husbands love a wife who is a "drama diffuser" rather than a "drama creator". A wife should be a source of peace and blessing in her home...even when things are not going great.

Then, He gives the outcome. The husband will see her how her very real relationship with Christ is making her into a wonderful person to be with and he will be won over without her saying a word to him!

This is the way for a wife to have real influence in her family! Godly influence!
It will take real faith to discard the "wisdom" of the world which accomplishes nothing positive in order to embrace the wisdom of God to bring real blessing to her family!

P.S. I am speaking to wives in average marriage situations. If you are in a marriage situation where your life is in danger due to a history of violence, you should take steps to protect your life and your children and figure out how to deal with the marriage with the help of a Pastor or Christian counselor.

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