The Bible calls wives to be submissive to their husbands (1 Peter 3:1), but what does that truly mean? I've always thought of it as meaning I support his dreams, allow him to make the big decisions and try not to step on his toes. However, I'm a bit nervous about this command now that I know what it really means.
I have always been a fairly independent person. As a woman, I like to know that I could make it without a man in my life, if need be, but I am joyous that God did not intend for me to be alone. I've always thought of a marriage as a partnership, a give and take, everyone being equal. Some of these thoughts are not necessarily incorrect, but let's see what the dictionary and God's Word says about this topic.
SUBMISSIVE: Inclined or willingness to submit to orders or wishes of others. Tending towards or indicating humility or servility. Unassertive, humble, obedient, subordinate, tame, subservient, patient, servile. (dictionary.com)
Yesterday I gave you the verse references that I found in the bible where being submissive is mentioned. In all cases I found that it didn't say equal or that I would receive anything in return, so my thought of "give and take" was not correct nor as equal.
In Hebrews 13:17 it talks about being submissive to "...those who rule over you...". Many times I believe people interpret this to ALL people who are in authority over you. However, when you read on it says, "...for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account." I might be incorrect here, but I do not believe any of my bosses have to give account my soul. I do believe this refers to our husbands and possibly even our pastors and elders of churches; those who are charged with the responsibility of being the spiritual leaders in our lives. I believe the Pharisees have to account for their hypocrisy (Matthew 23).
To take Hebrews one step further, could we apply this to our own walk with Christ??? Should we not serve him submissively? "... do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you". It does me no good to say I'm serving the Lord, but to not consider it joy to have the opportunity. When serving the Lord becomes a chore, we are no longer truly serving the Lord.
This also applies to my marriage. If I truly want to be a submissive wife I cannot approach it as a duty that God has required of me, but as a gift from God. I'm sure this will not happen every day. I always find it interesting that the thing I pray for God to help me with (patience, submissiveness, wisdom, etc) ends up being a challenge I face the following day sometimes even a moment after the prayer ends.
This morning, I was all excited about being able to come home before Josh and prepare him a nice meal before work. I got home from grocery shopping, thawed out the ribs (he loves ribs) and finished putting groceries away. I stepped outside to turn on the grill and found the BBQ still in the back of the truck from this weekend. I was instantly annoyed that Josh didn't take care of this and that I was now inconvienced! After all, I did have other things I wanted to get done, but now that the cooking would have to be put off, I was a bit on edge when my loving husband came home.
Needless to say, the Lord and I were having a battle. I was hearing His voice saying, "This is not a big deal Melinda. Take a deep breath. You wanted to provide a special meal for your husband and you still can. Those other things can wait. Your focus should be on your husband right now". I didn't like what I was hearing, but I knew that pride was not going to get me anywhere especially since Josh had no clue why I was so edgy. All I was doing was putting a wedge between myself and my love and probably making him feel like he did something wrong, when in truth he did nothing wrong; I did!
Submissiveness? I believe that if I will allow God to show me how to be a submissive and joyful wife, our marriage and family will be blessed beyond my wildest dreams. Submissiveness is a direct reflection of God's unconditional love being given to my husband through my actions and words.
This is going to take a LOT of prayer! I have already been challenged every day and have failed.
Lord, give me the strength to get back up and lean on You! Protect me from evil and allow my thoughts and actions to be pure. ~Amen
There is a lot more about submissiveness that I did not cover here, but hopefully you also read the verses from yesterday's post and found some interesting things as well. Feel free to share with me your thoughts, struggles
I have always been a fairly independent person. As a woman, I like to know that I could make it without a man in my life, if need be, but I am joyous that God did not intend for me to be alone. I've always thought of a marriage as a partnership, a give and take, everyone being equal. Some of these thoughts are not necessarily incorrect, but let's see what the dictionary and God's Word says about this topic.
SUBMISSIVE: Inclined or willingness to submit to orders or wishes of others. Tending towards or indicating humility or servility. Unassertive, humble, obedient, subordinate, tame, subservient, patient, servile. (dictionary.com)
Yesterday I gave you the verse references that I found in the bible where being submissive is mentioned. In all cases I found that it didn't say equal or that I would receive anything in return, so my thought of "give and take" was not correct nor as equal.
In Hebrews 13:17 it talks about being submissive to "...those who rule over you...". Many times I believe people interpret this to ALL people who are in authority over you. However, when you read on it says, "...for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account." I might be incorrect here, but I do not believe any of my bosses have to give account my soul. I do believe this refers to our husbands and possibly even our pastors and elders of churches; those who are charged with the responsibility of being the spiritual leaders in our lives. I believe the Pharisees have to account for their hypocrisy (Matthew 23).
To take Hebrews one step further, could we apply this to our own walk with Christ??? Should we not serve him submissively? "... do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you". It does me no good to say I'm serving the Lord, but to not consider it joy to have the opportunity. When serving the Lord becomes a chore, we are no longer truly serving the Lord.
This also applies to my marriage. If I truly want to be a submissive wife I cannot approach it as a duty that God has required of me, but as a gift from God. I'm sure this will not happen every day. I always find it interesting that the thing I pray for God to help me with (patience, submissiveness, wisdom, etc) ends up being a challenge I face the following day sometimes even a moment after the prayer ends.
This morning, I was all excited about being able to come home before Josh and prepare him a nice meal before work. I got home from grocery shopping, thawed out the ribs (he loves ribs) and finished putting groceries away. I stepped outside to turn on the grill and found the BBQ still in the back of the truck from this weekend. I was instantly annoyed that Josh didn't take care of this and that I was now inconvienced! After all, I did have other things I wanted to get done, but now that the cooking would have to be put off, I was a bit on edge when my loving husband came home.
Needless to say, the Lord and I were having a battle. I was hearing His voice saying, "This is not a big deal Melinda. Take a deep breath. You wanted to provide a special meal for your husband and you still can. Those other things can wait. Your focus should be on your husband right now". I didn't like what I was hearing, but I knew that pride was not going to get me anywhere especially since Josh had no clue why I was so edgy. All I was doing was putting a wedge between myself and my love and probably making him feel like he did something wrong, when in truth he did nothing wrong; I did!
Submissiveness? I believe that if I will allow God to show me how to be a submissive and joyful wife, our marriage and family will be blessed beyond my wildest dreams. Submissiveness is a direct reflection of God's unconditional love being given to my husband through my actions and words.
This is going to take a LOT of prayer! I have already been challenged every day and have failed.
Lord, give me the strength to get back up and lean on You! Protect me from evil and allow my thoughts and actions to be pure. ~Amen
There is a lot more about submissiveness that I did not cover here, but hopefully you also read the verses from yesterday's post and found some interesting things as well. Feel free to share with me your thoughts, struggles
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