In today's world, there are many conflicting voices vying for our attention when it comes to the subject of marriage. But if you are a follower of Christ, look no further than the Word of God. The God who made you, redeemed you, and loves you has already given you a glorious blueprint for marriage.

God's blueprint stands in stark contrast to the world's plan. The world counsels us to fight for our own rights or leave our spouse if our needs are not being met. But God's plan is different and far more beautiful. It involves submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ, confronting the sin in our own hearts before confronting it in each other, and forgiving our spouse—as often as it takes. This is God's countercultural plan for marriage, designed to make our marriages flourish.

For this reason, Peter spends six verses addressing a Christian wife who has an unbelieving husband—a common scenario in his day. Yet if you examine this Scripture closely, you will find that Peter gives more responsibility in one verse to the husband than in six verses to the wife. Here are four valuable insights he provides that are relevant in all marriages today.

First, wives are called to submit to their husbands. The word submission is an unwelcome word in our culture today. But Biblical submission is a beautiful thing and the foundation of marital blessing. In fact, God calls us all to submit to one another out of reverence to Christ (see Ephesians 5:21). As we trust Him with our lives, we have the freedom to submit because we are trusting God to work on our behalf. In the same way, a wife is free to submit to her husband.

Second, a wife's character is her greatest strength. In an age where the standard of beauty is shallow and ever-changing, God has given women a different standard of beauty. A wife's desire should be to develop what is most powerful, precious, and impactful: godly character. Such inner beauty empowers her to be her spouse's greatest encourager, to shine as Christ's light in the world, and to find her sense of worth in God alone. 

Third, wives have nothing to fear as they follow Jesus. If you fear God, you will fear nothing else. This unshakable confidence and trust in the Lord will sustain a wife through the trials of marriage—whether a crisis in the home, an unbelieving husband, or the daily pressures of parenthood.

Finally, God calls husbands to be loving, considerate, and respectful toward their wives, so that the family's prayer life is not hindered. If you are a Christian husband, God has called you to cultivate peace and unity in your relationship with your wife. Ask for God's help to know everything there is to know about her so that you can minister to her and serve her in the best way possible. As you learn what brings her joy and brings her pain, you will be cultivating an intimacy with your wife that will strengthen your family in a way that nothing else can. In turn, this unity of heart, soul, and mind will allow for deep and effective prayer together.

What might be hindering spiritual unity in your marriage? Is it selfishness, a lack of faith, or failure to trust in the promise of God? The devil knows that there is great power in a husband and wife who are unified in Christ, and he will do everything he can to divide you. He knows there is power in submission. He knows there is power in your prayers, especially together as a couple. But when you follow God's blueprint for marriage, Satan's schemes will have no power. As you align yourself with God's plans and seek to honor Him together, watch as He works mightily through your marriage, for His glory.