I overheard someone say that I was a submissive wife. If this had happened when I was younger, I would not have appreciated that comment. I knew back then that God had an ordered plan of authority in this world, but I had a wrong understanding of submission.
I understood that God wanted wives to submit to their husbands, but I also thought it was because women were weaker and less worthy than men. I knew in my head this wasn’t the case but it wasn’t in my heart. It took awhile for me to understand and believe that women have the same worth and standing as men.
God made a woman from Adam’s side to be his equal and close to his heart. Before telling wives to submit to their husbands, believers are told to submit to one another. So all believers are of equal worth, not women lower than men. All believers are also to submit to Jesus.
Jesus is a great example of being submissive. He willingly gave up His authority, desires, and will to God the Father. On the night of His betrayal, He prayed if it was possible to pass up what was planned for Him to do instead not what He wanted but what God wanted. He voluntarily gave up His preference and right to God. Jesus humbly washed His disciples’ feet and as a child, He obeyed His parents. He was also a good citizen of the Roman Empire.
The Bible tells us to submit to those in authority because all authority comes from God since He created everything. Of course, this means we should submit to God since He is the highest authority.
Submission is a way God provides order and peace in our world. When we don’t submit to authority, there is chaos and lack of unity. This shows up in the workplace, too. When I’m employed, I give up preferences to my manager. I’ve seen how chaotic it gets when employees don’t regard their bosses, students don’t listen to their teachers/professors, or citizens don’t respect the police. Things get out of hand.
So following God’s plan of order through submission is a good thing, starting with the family. Children obey their parents, wives willingly yield to husbands, and everyone submit to God. By submitting to God, we will show love and respect to each other.
Prayer
Almighty God in heaven,
Thank you for being a God of order and harmony. Help us to willingly yield to Your plan for our lives because You know what is best for us. May we respect and love others enough to keep the peace.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
Verses
Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord
Genesis 2:21-22 While Adam was asleep, God took part of the man’s side and closed the place with flesh. Then He made a woman from the part He took out of man
Ephesians 5:21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ
Ephesians 5:24 As the church submits to Christ, wives also should submit to their husbands in everything
Matthew 26:39 Jesus prayed, “My Father, if possible, let this cup pass from Me, but not what I will, but what You will.”
John 13:14 Jesus said, “If I, your Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, you too ought to wash one another’s feet.”
Luke 2:51 Jesus went down to Nazareth with His parents and was obedient to them
Mark 12:17 Jesus said, “Give to Caesar whatever belongs to Caesar and to God the things that are God’s.”
1 Peter 2:13 Submit to all authority
Romans 13:1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. All authority comes from God, and those in authority have been placed by God
James 4:7 Submit to God
Colossians 3:23 Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were working for the Lord instead of for people
Romans 13:2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted and will be punished
Ephesians 6:1 Children obey your parents
Song
“Yield” by Jon Reddick is a song that reminds us of what it means to submit to God.
Call To Action
If you have already prayed, looked up the verses in your Bible, and listened to the suggested song, then reread the post about “Our Citizenship” and share your thoughts.