So, I can see logically how these thoughts fit with ideas about submission and husband leadership. Even though I can see how you got there, I'm not sure I agree that this is a helpful way to think about godliness.

I just don't see a lot of scriptural support for the idea that it's ever necessary for believers to downplay, cloak, or be discreet about their relationship with God around each other. The verses that talk about marriage don't seem to instruct wives to make themselves appear less godly. Even the I Peter verse says that husbands will be won by the conversation of the wives, which sounds like the wife IS being open about her close tie to God, not discreet, and that her deeper spirituality ends up saving him, not pushing him away.

It almost seems like this subject is turning "godliness" into a problem for women, a problem that has to be gotten around with the right behavior, and--well, I just can't see that as being a fruitful attitude for a Christian. Plus, doesn't this turn husbands into idols if their feelings come before your expression of your relationship with God?

I hope this doesn't come off as harsh. But I do feel like Challies kind of invented a problem that, when you go to Scripture, doesn't seem to actually be a problem.