Hairspray for the Soul

Women have always lingered in front of the mirror. I’ll just bet Eve asked Adam more than once if her fig leaf made her look fat. If television would have been invented back then, Eve would have envied the skinny beautiful women on the screen and pointed out their features to Adam.

I know it sounds like I’m stereotyping—or shall I say “gender profiling?” But I’m really just taking off on what Peter said in around 64 AD.

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;  While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.  Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;  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. (1 Pet. 3:1-4)

In the flesh, we’re in the closet switching out tops and scarves and sweaters, deciding which looks best with what. Then we go to the mirror and mess around with our hair, a spray bottle and a curling iron. Then we’re into the jewelry box picking out the right earrings.

Peter knew how women were (surely he was married). God inspired him to write a message to us. And remember, his theme in 1 Peter is “Be ye holy for I am holy.” Chapter 3 starts with what holiness looks like for women. It begins with submission to their husbands.

Read my last post, because the theme of much of chapter 2 is submission, and Christ is lifted up as the supreme example of submission. Chapter 3 just continues on with the theme, and in light of Christ’s submission, it should not be in the least bit unreasonable that God asks women to be in subjection to their husbands.  

But let’s look at the jewel to be admired in these first few verses and its effect on everyone. The jewel is a woman with a gorgeous heart. It is described as:

• Chaste conversation, which means pure and modest conduct
• Coupled with fear or reverence for her husband (she’s in subjection to him in verse 1)
• Her heart is not corruptible
• She has an ornament of a meek and quiet spirit or mild and tranquil disposition.

What effect does this woman have? Interestingly, the way she is doesn’t draw attention to herself as much as it does to God. In verse 1, a disobedient husband is won over by watching this woman. He’s not looking at her scarf. He’s looking at her heart, and there’s something about it that wins him to Christ. It’s because her heart is like Christ, and He’s irresistible.

But this woman also has an effect on God. All these qualities together are of great price in God’s sight.

This leads to the type of mirror women should be looking at in the morning. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (James 1:23-25)

Time in the word is so valuable in renewing our perspective and setting us right for the day. It’s hairspray for the soul. We need it everyday.