Dwell with them with understanding

1 Peter 3:7 (NKJV)

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

I know, I skipped over the part about wives being submissive to their husbands but I've got a couple of good reasons. Both these verses were in my reading but I am not a wife so even though I liked that part, it wasn't addressed to me, this one was. This verse's command has far greater implications since there is a direct link to unanswered prayer and I really want to get my prayers answered. I think that sin in general pretty much hinders prayer but when the Bible pinpoints one, pay close attention.

Do you understand women? I say I don't but what I really mean is that she does not have the same reaction as I do to things. There's lots of great books on how to understand the opposite sex and you would do well to study them. Quite honestly though, those books aren't really that necessary. Understanding is knowledge and love combined. You learn about a person living with them. And when this knowledge is applied in love, that's understanding.

Giving honor has to do with making your wife precious to you. When she knows that and experiences that on a daily basis you will find great joy in that. Just as Psalm 34:7 says to delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart, I believe too that a similar thing will happen when you delight yourself in your wife. She will radiate returned love for you.

"Heirs together of the grace of life"--that's beautiful.