they may be won over without words

Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives,

1 Peter 3:1 NIV

Peter is talking about the power of a good example. Peter is talking to wives specifically here and the effect they have on their husbands. Peter knows what he is talking about. I know of many strong christian men that had been unbelievers, but were won over for Christ by their wife's example.

More often than we would like to think about, our behavior as christians speaks more to people than our words do. My wife has a saying about this; "your walk talks and your talk talks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks". So, good christian behavior speaks loudly without saying a word. Read 1 Peter 3:1-6 and get more input from Peter on the type of behavior he is talking about.

Peter uses these terms to describe this powerfully influential behavior; purity, reverence, gentle and quiet spirit. The christian wife is to exhibit purity in her life, living out a godly example for her husband to see. She is to show reverence to her God and His teachings as well as respect for her husband. Peter finishes up with what is the true beauty of a christian woman, "the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit". A gentle and quiet spirit is the most powerful behavior a christian woman can show toward her husband.

To show this gentle, quietness is to teach in the subtlest of ways. Imparting God's truth and love in such a way as to gently show the way of the Lord. It is living for for Jesus in a non-contentious way. Letting your husband see Jesus in your actions and hear Jesus in your words.

If one is married to an unbeliever remember these qualities and strive to live them out, he may be won over by your behavior. 

(C) 2012 Leo J. Woodman