Listen Up

DEVOTION 1 PETER LISTEN UP 1 Peter 3:7 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. NIV It seems a little unjust after spending so many words about wives to simply tell the husband to be considerate of his wife and treat her with respect as the weaker partner. It is surprising many women do not consider this a slam, calling them the weaker partner, especially in this modern era. Perhaps this is implying only in the physical sense as in most cases men are the stronger and could inflict great physical damage to a women. As I have often stated, I believe men and women are truly equal in the eyes of God, but have different responsibilities. So here us men must not dominate our wives, forcing them to submit under fear of physical pain, but we should be considerate of them, giving them the respect and honor they are due, for they are co-heirs of the gift of God. We have nothing more or less than them and they have nothing more or less them us. We should therefore always think of them with respect in our heart for who they are as a person, as our partner in life, as a fellow believer in Christ, and as our wife, which in many cases also includes being the mother of our children. It would be unwise for us men to think of ourselves as the king of our castle and expect to be treated as a king not by our wife but by our servant. Great kings have always had great queens. It has been said if you want to be treated like a king, treat your wife as a queen. Partners are partners which in itself imply equality. If we ever expect God to hear and answer us in our times of conversation with him, our prayers, we need to heed this counsel. Men we need to listen up.