Some men think that the Bible teaches that men generally have authority over women, and can therefore command them to do what they would like them to do. Yet this is a serious error. Wives are to submit to their husbands. Moreover, this submission is actually a lining up of her abilities under those of her husband; moving together in a direction of submissive service to God. This biblical position, while an irritation to many modern women, was a delightful word of freedom to the women in biblical times. Submission is not suppression. God requires a woman to live in such a way that even if her ungodly husband can argue against her words, he can't argue against her life. She respects God, and as a result, she respects her husband.She lives a pure life that gives her husband no grounds for suspicion. She is not manipulative, sneaky, or tricky. She is deep, rather than superficial. She is gentle, which is beautiful. She is boldly hoping in God. She is obedient and heroically courageous. This kind of submission is aggressively active, like the commitment of a missionary who goes to an Islamic country. She doesn't give way to fear. She is an heir of the glory to come. She lives with glory in her heart. This, even though it may sound that way, is not against women's needs, this is the life for which she was designed by God, and it is in this way she functions best. |
