Because Of The Cross 
WE HAVE LIFEGIVING MARRIAGES 
Part 2
1 Peter 3:1-12 

Westland Baptist Church 
Roy Meadows, Lead Pastor 
October 6, 2024 

 
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, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. 7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life,so that nothing will hinder your prayers.  

8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, 

“Whoever would love life 
    and see good days 
must keep their tongue from evil 
    and their lips from deceitful speech. 
11 They must turn from evil and do good; 
    they must seek peace and pursue it. 
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous 
    and his ears are attentive to their prayer, 
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 
 

THE KEY PHRASE IS IN VERSE 7: “…IN THE SAME WAY…” 
 

KEY ‘LIFE-GIVING MARRIAGE’ WORDS IN VERSES 7-9 

 
• CONSIDERATE vs 7 
 Careful not to cause inconvenience or hurt to others. Showing careful thought.  

• RESPECT vs 7 
Showing regard for their abilities and worth • valuing their feelings and their views, even if you don’t necessarily agree with them • accepting them on an equal basis and giving them the same consideration you would expect for yourself. 

 
• LIKE-MINDED vs 8 
 Having similar tastes or opinions. 
 
 

• SYMPATHETIC vs 8 
(“…that’s your problem…”, wrong response) Feeling, showing, or expressing sympathy. 
SYMPATHY - understanding between people; common feeling.
 
 

• LOVE vs 8 
(Read 1 Corinthians 13) 
 

• COMPASSIONATE vs 8 
Compassion is the feeling that arises when someone is confronted with another’s suffering and feels motivated to relieve it. It can look like:  

Being aware of others: Being mindful of others’ emotions, thoughts, and experiences.  

Taking action: Helping someone in need, such as giving food to a homeless person or assisting an elderly person with groceries.  

Listening actively: Showing empathy to someone who is going through a difficult time.  

Offering connecting gestures: Smiling and nodding your head to show you are feeling connected to what someone is saying.  

Being non-judgmental: Being non-judgmental to the viewpoints of others.
  
Being accountable: Being accountable and responsible for all good and bad outcomes of a team. 
 

• HUMBLE  

vs 8 It means learning to value oneself in a way that isn’t dependent on outperforming other people and being the best. Being humble also means putting the needs of another person before your own, and thinking of others before yourself. 
 

• BLESSING vs 9 

“Marriage is indeed a mystery. (Ephesians 5). How two people, incredibly different from their very cells to their personalities, can in God’s love become one. Both physically, and in completing each other. Even more, how two prideful people, saved and changed by Christ’s love, can set down their selfishness and sacrificially serve the other. When that happens, it is indeed a “mystery” to people viewing it from their “it’s all about me” world.  Marriage is indeed an “icon” of the gospel and worth celebrating. 
“Sometime this week, sit down with your spouse, and use your spoken words to say something like this: ‘I want you, my wife, to know that you have my Blessing. That you are – and always will be – enough. That you are to me, a gift from God.’ Use your words, but it’s time to tell her she has your Blessing.”  

(Pastors: Three Ways To Bless Your Wife by John Trent February 8, 2021) 

 
THE PROMISES 
 
vs 7 
…so that nothing will hinder your prayers. 

 

Vs 10 
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 
11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. 
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 
 

Resources: 
FOR WOMEN ONLY by Shaunti Feldhahn 
FOR MEN ONLY by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn 
THE 5 LOVE LANGUAES, The Secret to Love That Lasts by Gary Chapman