Part 11: Jezebel vs Sarah - Beauty Secrets of the Ages Compared

This post continues a series I last visited here, Jezebel - What Mutton Breath Smells Like - 101 - The Bling Ban and Why, which began here, Exposing the Enemy's Scheme - Jezebel and Control.

Let's return to 1 Peter 3. Let me encourage you to please be patient with this work.

1) In like manner, the wives, be ye subject to your own husbands, that even if certain are disobedient to the word, through the conversation [Strong's G391 - anastrophe: manner of life, conduct, behaviour, deportment] of the wives, without the word, they may be won,
2) having beheld your pure behaviour [anastrophe] in fear,
1 Peter 3:1-2 (YLT)

Let's expand the context to get some more insight. Verse one of 1 Peter 3 refers back to the previous chapter, where the Lord gives instruction about authority and submission.

13) Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14) Or unto governors ...
18) Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear ; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
1 Peter 2:13-14a, 18

We are to be subject to authority. It's simple, but not easy. Read the whole chapter. This is the basis for the comparison made when chapter 3 begins with, "Likewise."

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
1 Peter 3:1

A woman is to be subject to her husband in the same way as a servant is to their master. That's what "likewise" means. This is confirmed by what follows.

3) Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4) But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
5) For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
6) Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
1 Peter 3:3-6

Wives, the holy women in the old time are the examples for how to adorn yourselves. They trusted in God, being in subjection unto their own husbands. As the late Paul Harvey would famously say at the end of his broadcasts, "And now you know the rest of the story." The greatest beauty secret of the ages has nothing to do with the perverse and superficial substitutes taught by Azazel! This is that of "the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit." This is that "which is in the sight of God of great price"! For a wife, it is to trust in God, being in subjection to her own husband!

Sarah called her husband, lord. That's the very same word that's usually capitalized. It is written that Sarah is the mother of those who are doing well. Those who are "afraid with any amazement," in contrast, are not. Was Sarah too extreme? Is she being condemned for going overboard as a warning to us? No, she's being singled out and honored as an example to follow, even as daughters follow their mothers!

If such subjection as that seems offensive or radical it can only be because we have been deceived.

I had a sturdy old hand-me-down bicycle when I was little. Sometimes I'd crash and the handlebars would get cocked to one side. I'd have to ride it around like that until I could get my Dad to fix it for me. You quickly get used to crooked handlebars. It doesn't take long before it just seems normal. When the handlebars get straightened out, it really seems wrong. It takes a while, but before long it becomes clear that it's the right way.

When it comes to the way of husbands and wives in the culture I know, it's like we've only ever known bicycles with the handlebars cocked to one side. But the Bible is the standard for truth, not tradition. If we become willing to accept that a woman is to be subject to her husband in the same way as a servant is to their master and change our ways, like straightening the handlebars on a bicycle, before long it becomes clear that it's the right way. Hey Dad! Will you help me straighten my handlebars?

The declaration of 1 Peter 2 and 3 about authority is similar to what Paul was given to preach in Romans 13.

1) Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Romans 13:1-2

According to Ephesians 5 it's made quite clear how the husband is such an authority to the wife. Because of this, even though the command to submit is directed to the woman in 1 Peter, her husband has an implicit responsibility and accountability that will not be overlooked.

For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Ephesians 5:23

For anyone who looks to the Bible and seeks to honor its Author, there is no question as to the legitimacy of this divine order. Based upon the obvious declaration of Romans 13:2, it can only be concluded that when a woman is not subject to her husband in the same way as a servant is to their master, what will result is "damnation." "Damnation" is Strong's G2917 - krima: judgment. Disobedience brings a curse. Hello, control spirits and Jezebel.

Demons need legal permission to do their work because they are under authority. When preachers and teachers, mothers and fathers and husbands and wives rebel against the Lord's authority through disobedience, permission is granted accordingly.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7

This should start to become a familiar passage of scripture. You're not just going to be delivered out of the snare of control spirits and Jezebel with a simple attempt to cast them out. You're going to have to earn your freedom through discipleship. You have to submit yourself before God. You must take up your cross. The flesh must be crucified. Why should we think the devil will flee if we don't resist, and submit to God?

How do we then submit to God? We must obey even what has been dismissed, "conveniently" overlooked, perhaps, through the deceitfulness of sin. How could we think we are not deceived when our deeds appear contrary to the plain declaration of the scriptures? The deception in these particular matters is powerful indeed!

If you are a wife and claim to trust God but are not in subjection to your own husband as a servant is to her master, you must begin to accept that you have been deceived. Those you have trusted to teach and model what's right have failed you. Forgive them. Men, if your wife challenges your authority in a way that is not how a servant should honor her master and you permit it, you have been deceived. Those you have trusted to teach and model what's right have failed you. Forgive them.

Husbands and wives, take responsibility for yourselves to do what is right in the sight of God. In doing so you will model and teach humility and righteousness. It takes courage to obey the Lord, for both husbands and wives alike. Trust in God is required. Perfect love casts out all fear. If there has come a genuine conviction about your behavior, you should know what is required. There must come a season of repentance and restoration.

Husbands, isn't it right to humble yourself even before your wife and confess your sin, because you have not only sinned against the Lord but her? Sincerely seek her forgiveness and explain why. Right. Ok, sure, this might freak her out and she might be on the phone calling 911 for the "men in white coats" to come take you away in a straightjacket. She might think you're about to become a control monster and flee the county. You'll need to think this through and count the cost, and just follow the Lord's direction. If you take the matter of being a "Bride candidate" seriously, you're going to have to come into obedience. If you have modeled and taught wrongly to your children, aren't they also due a confession and apology with an appropriate explanation?

Wives, likewise, as the Lord leads, your husband is due a sincere confession and seeking of his forgiveness, explaining the reason why this is due. There's no need to make promises about future behavior. If you have modeled and taught wrongly to your children, aren't they also due a confession and apology with an appropriate explanation? Sure, this may freak your husband out, and you may be terrified that he'll become a control monster but at least he's not likely to call 911 and report you for threatening hate crimes.

I'm not unaware of just how frightening such as I'm recommending will be to most of you who will actually read through and consider what I wrote. As I wrote several posts back, I've "walked the walk" and now I'm "talking the talk". As I learn more, there's more to talk and more to walk, but I've survived the really scary season.

This also needs to be mentioned, that if you've been involved in counseling on a professional or "amateur" basis, your responsibilities may extend further when considering what repentance looks like. Seek the Lord about what is His good pleasure. This will not be easy, but it is "do-able," with the Lord's help.

Freedom is purchased at the cost of discipleship. Lord help us to continue in Your word.

31) Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33) They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34) Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35) And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36) If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
John 8:31-36