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The Godly Wife

07 May
The Godly Wife

We’ve been going through Peter’s first letter to the church. We’re now in chapter 3, which deals with husband and wife relationships. The apostle continues to give some insight for wives.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, 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.

1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV

He starts by saying that the beauty of a godly woman should not be all about the external view. This is true even though we live in an externally conscious society. Unfortunately, many Christians have fallen into this trap.

It’s not the elaborate hairstyles or gold decorations that should be impressing people about who you are. He also makes a statement that should speak volumes to the women of our generation. You shouldn’t be following the investing of yourself into the clothing of the world.

What kind of look is he talking about? It’s the outfit that screams, “LOOK AT ME!!!” That’s the world’s way of adornment.

This self-promotion shouldn’t be the priority of the believer. Our world view should be more toward emphasizing the concealed person of the heart. The question is; would you rather them comment on your new hairdo more than your prayer life?

You have to come to the realization that your life is not all about you. It’s about your relationship to Christ and your husband.

The fact is that everything in the first statement of the above passage decays and goes out of style. But the second half gives you spiritual power.

The word, gentle, above, is actually the word meek. I know we don’t like that word, but in reality, meekness is not weakness. The Scriptural definition is your strength under the control of the Lord.

The next way Peter describes the godly wife is with a quiet spirit. This literally means that you are undisturbed. You know who you are and where you belong and nothing can move you from it.

God says that this type of life is extremely expensive. That’s why so few women pay for it. They’d much rather get the clothes, jewelry, and hairstyles.

For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

1 Peter 3:5-6 NIV

This is the conclusion of the issue. As a wife, you know your husband’s shortcomings. So, what you have to do is to put your hope – your expectations – in God and not your husbands. (They are fallible and will let you down.)

The godly women of Scripture learned how to arrange themselves correctly under God, by arranging themselves under their husbands. Then, they had nothing to be afraid of.

This does not mean that a wife is a doormat to be walked on by her husband. She can be a strong individual. Look at Sarah in Genesis 21, where she made it clear to Abraham how she felt about Ishmael. He followed her exhortation.

The path to godly womanhood reaps eternal rewards.

Question: Do you see any examples of this in your life?

© 2025 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on May 7, 2025 in Relationships

 

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Your New Clothes (Part 2)

24 Jan
Your New Clothes (Part 2)

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul talks about our spiritual clothing in Christ. In my last post I talked about some of these. I looked at compassion, kindness, and humility. In today’s post, I’ll continue this teaching.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12 NIV

I’ll start where I left off in my last post.

Gentleness. This is a word that’s translated as meekness in other parts of Scripture. We don’t like using this word, because many people associate meekness with weakness.

However, nothing can be further from the truth. If you look up meekness in the Scripture, you find that just the opposite is true. A good example of this is found in Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church.

What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?

1 Corinthians 4:21 NIV

Paul had the authority, boldness, and strength to “clean house” in the church at Corinth. But that’s not what he desired to do. He wanted to follow the Holy Spirit in showing them love and forgiveness.

That brings me to a good working definition of meekness. In reality, true meekness is my strength under God’s control.

Too often, older Christians want to prove their authority by trying to control and manipulate others to “fall in line”. That’s not how Christ operates.

We need to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in our treatment of others. The walk of love is more powerful than intimidation.

Patience. Here’s another word that we get a wrong idea about. Contrary to public opinion, patience is not merely the ability to stand in a long line without getting irritated.

As with all of these characteristics, patience deals with how we treat others. The Greek word means long passioned. In other words, your anger doesn’t flare up as quickly as those without Christ.

The Apostle Peter wrote about this as well. He used this word in reference to the Lord concerning the coming judgment of the earth.

Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

2 Peter 3:15 NIV

God could very easily call an end to all the chaos on earth. Christ could return and rain judgment down upon all the wicked. Instead, through His patience, more and more people are being saved by the knowledge of the cross.

If that’s how God operates, can we do any less. Too often I hear believers say something like, “They deserve to burn in hell. I can’t wait to see them judged.”

Please hear me. That statement is the most unchristian thing to say. The truth is that all of us – me included – deserve to burn in hell. But Christ, in His love, patience, and grace, allowed me the time to turn to Him in repentance.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 NIV

This is the essence of true patience.

Question: How well do you see gentleness and patience in your life?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on January 24, 2024 in Ministry, Return of Christ, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel

 

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Meekness and Patience

17 Apr
Meekness and Patience

We’re continuing through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. In my last post, I started looking at his description of a life lived worthy of your calling. The first earmark was humble-mindedness.

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Ephesians 4:1-2 NIV

The next word Paul uses is translated as gentle in this passage. In other translations, the word, meek is used. That’s a word we shy away from. I’ve heard many say that “meekness is weakness.”

Actually, that’s the furthest away from the Biblical definition. You absolutely cannot be weak and have meekness.

Here’s the best way to describe meekness. It’s my power and authority submitted to the Lordship of Christ. You can’t be weak to accomplish this.

But, just as with a humble mind, meekness has a lot to do with how we work with others. This is especially true when dealing with believers who aren’t as mature as you are.

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

Galatians 6:1 NIV

When teaching and correcting others, we should never act in arrogance or “holier than thou”. It’s not about proving how further along we are. We’re looking for restoration.

This also holds true when dealing with people who disagree with what we teach.

Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth…

2 Timothy 2:25 NIV

Too often we get caught up in the correctness of our doctrine. We have to always remember that we teach spiritual truths. If we’re right, then the Holy Spirit is well able to show the other person the truth. I don’t have to force the issue.

It’s not about using my power and authority, but giving the Spirit room to operate.

The next thing Paul deals with is patience. This is not referring to the ability to wait your turn in line without complaining. The apostle literally says, be patient putting up with each other.

It doesn’t take long to realize that in the body of Christ I have many opportunities to put up with other people. Yes, and there are even times that people need to put up with me!

Patience has a lot to do with how you look at others. Christ is the best example of this.

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

1 Timothy 1:16 NIV

We have to realize that how people look right now is not their final condition. I’m not the same person I was 10 years ago. (Praise God!)

The Lord Jesus looked at Paul and didn’t see the murderer, destroying His church. Christ saw the apostle that Paul could become one day. He was patient to wait for the work of the Holy Spirit to bring it all about.

We need to have that same patience. We need to see the potential in others. Then, as we pray for them, we need to be patient as God works in their lives. This is how the kingdom of God grows and matures.

Meekness and patience are two qualities that are needed for us to function as a single body. We must show Christ to the world. Allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate these into your daily walk.

Question: How have others demonstrated these qualities toward you?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on April 17, 2023 in Fellowship, Leadership, Relationships, The Church

 

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The Spirit-Fruit: Gentleness

25 Oct

In today’s post, I’ll be talking about the fruit of gentleness as found in Galatians 5:23.   Many people associate gentleness with weakness.  In actuality, just the opposite is true.  According to Scripture, it’s impossible to be gentle if you’re weak.  You must be walking in the power of the Holy Spirit.

I don’t think anyone would accuse Jesus of being weak.  He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.  Yet this is what it says about Him as He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey…

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'”
Matthew 21:4-5

The question is; was that the best the Lord could come up with to ride into Jerusalem?  If it was…if all He could come up with was a donkey, then He was pretty weak.  The fact is that Jesus had the power to break through the heavens, coming down from the clouds on a white stallion.

Even though the Lord has great power, He chose not to use it on that occasion.  This is the true spirit of gentleness.  Look at how it operated in the Apostle Paul’s life.

There were some people in the Corinthian church who were opposing Paul’s authority.  He gave them an interesting choice in his letter to them.

What do you prefer?  Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?
1 Corinthians 4:21

There would be no reason for Paul to threaten them with the “whip” of apostolic authority if he didn’t have any.  The truth is that the apostle had the authority needed to put them in their place.  Yet, his desire was to not have to use it.

So if we were to define gentleness according to its use in Scripture, I’d say that it’s placing my power, under God’s control.

This is the hardest thing to do sometimes.  That’s especially true when I know that I’m in the right.  I want to bring the full weight of my scriptural authority down on their heads.  Unfortunately, that’s usually not the best idea.  I need to be led by the Holy Spirit in my responses to people.

This is why I must spend time in the spirit.  I need to be able to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit in all the situations I’m going through.  This is true for all church leaders.

Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
2 Timothy 2:25-26

That’s because the goal is not to prove that I’m right or that you’re wrong.  The ultimate objective is a life that is turned around for God’s glory.  Many times, by our arrogance, we win the battle, yet lose the war for the hearts of people.

We may have proved our case, but they were never set free from the devil’s bondage.  True gentleness allows for the working of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives.  So we need to listen and obey His voice, even when our tendency is to defend ourselves.

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.  But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
Galatians 6:1

This teaching is found throughout the Scriptures.  Gentleness brings restoration.  When you cultivate the spirit of gentleness, you’re participating in drawing someone back to Christ.  Spend time with the Holy Spirit and allow Him to produce this fruit in you.

Question: What was a recent time that you saw God’s gentleness operating through you?

© Nick Zaccardi 2017

 
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Posted by on October 25, 2017 in Leadership, Ministry, Spiritual Walk

 

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