Submission: For obvious reasons this is the word women dont like to hear. Possibly because there are so many negative connotations associated with the word. Mostly because there is not always a clear understanding of what the word really means. What does it mean to submit? Submit comes from the Greek word hupotasso which is a military word that primarily means to rank oneself under someone else - to come under. This is something that God has commanded for us to do. However, God did not mean for submission to be demeaning or condescending. Submission never means subjecting yourself to abuse nor does it suggest that you are inferior or worthless. A wifes submission to her husband is a duty owed to the Lord. Ephesians 5:22 says that we are to submit as unto the Lord. This is an attitude of our will (I Pet. 3:1,2); this relationship is patterned after the relationship between Christ and the church (Eph. 5:25-32); it is a response to love (Eph. 5:24, 25) and it is not just the attitude of a wife to husband but also children to parents (Eph. 6:1-3) and employee/employer (Titus 2:9 and I Pet. 2:18). Attitude of Our Will: I Peter 3:1,2
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 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. We must bring our will under subjection so that we show the purity in our lives and the reverence that we hold for both God and our spouse. We have to rebuke that first instinct to buck, to show our independence, to let him know that we aint gonna do nothing we dont want to do. If you truly love your spouse, and you truly trust in the Lord, then submission wont be a chore but a welcomed response to what your God requires! Totally know that Im not saying its easy! Especially if youre as independent as I have been, its a very difficult task - but we can do ALL things through Christ that strengthens us! Relationship between Christ and the Church - it is a response to love - Ephesians 5:25-32
Marriage is patterned after the relationship between Christ and the Church - He gave Himself for her. Husbands are instructed to love their wives and the response of the wife ought to be one of reverence, respect and submission. Its not about what your husband is or isnt doing - God requires submission - he didnt list a bunch of prerequisites. It is, however, important to note that no woman should be subjected to any form of abuse - please get out of any dangerous situations and seek help immediately! It is an attitude for everyone
God is a God of order and he wants us to line up with the order he has preordained. Our responsibility is to follow the leadership he has designed - whether it is our husband in the home, our bosses on our jobs, our parents, our pastor - we have to submit...and do it as unto the Lord! Allow the Holy Spirit within you to help you submit. 2006 Candie A. Price |
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