1 Peter 3:1-2 & Ephesians 5:22-24

Is respect really a big deal?

So what is the truth behind the ‘no respect’ jokes?

• Men get ‘no respect’

What is the sad truth behind the ‘no respect’ jokes?

• Respect is what men crave

1 Peter 3:1-2 (KJV)

1 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;

2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

1 Peter 3:1-2 (ESV)

1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.

Is unconditional love an ‘oxymoron’?

Unconditional Respect

Most people—both men and women—believe that respect is something to be earned.

The Bible teaches unconditional respect!

1 Peter 2:17-18 (NLT)

• Respect everyone, and love the family of believers…
• … not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel.

Many women think…

• “How can I show respect for him when he comes across so unloving?”
• “He hurt me… He doesn’t deserve my respect.”
• “I love him, but he frustrates me so! I don’t want to respect him.”

Is unconditional respect an ‘oxymoron’?

RESPECT… Man’s Greatest Need

In a typical marriage, after the first year, a husband will know that his wife loves him, but will feel she neither likes him nor admires him for who he is as a human being.

If the pattern is like most, the wife will spend her energy seeking to help change him by her loving criticism and complaints, which will eventually feel like contempt to him.

Proverbs 12:4

4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

What you want, honey you got it
And what you need, baby you got it
All I’m askin’ is for a little respect when I come home
Hey now, hey hey hey, yeah now

Do me wrong honey, if you wanna
You can do me wrong, honey while I’m gone
But all I’m askin’ is for a little respect when I come home
Hey now, hey hey hey, yeah now

Hey little girl, you’re so sweeter than honey
And I’m about to give you all my money
But all I’m askin’, hey
Is a little respect when I get home

Respect is what I want
Respect is what I need

Disrespect… Man’s Greatest Fear

• A woman’s maternal nature is to lovingly correct her children.
• Scolding – to reprimand or criticize harshly; usually angrily and even openly;
• If a man believes he is being scolded as a child, he feels disrespected.

Ephesians 5:22-24, 33 (ESV)

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.

Ephesians 5:22-24, 33 (ESV)

24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands…

33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

This concept seems foreign to most!

When a husband does not receive respect from his spouse, he stops communicating with her.

When a husband receives unconditional respect, he will begin to love.

There is an inherent danger in not speaking your husband’s ‘respect language.’