Let us be women who radiate the beauty of Christ, a woman who lives according to God’s perfect design for womanhood
Our submission to our husband— whether or not he is a Christian, whether or not he is obeying God—preaches a lovelier and more powerful sermon than our mouth ever could!
—Elizabeth George
SUBMISSION DEFINED
First of all, let us define the word submission. In Greek, the word is hupotasso, which means “to arrange in order under.” It is actually a military term, and in the military, there is a strong sense of submitting to someone of higher rank. A soldier must arrange himself in order under his sergeant. A sergeant arranges himself in order under the master-sergeants. A master-sergeant arranges himself in order under the lieutenants—and the lieutenants to the captain, the captain to the major, and right on up to the general, who himself must submit to the Commander-in-Chief. Everything is “arranged in order under.” Its “bare-bones” meaning is that one has to arrange himself in order, that is, systematically, under another.
It appears in various English Bible translations other than the King James Version (and even sometimes in the King James) as “subordinate,” “obey,” “subject to,” “submit,” “surrender,” “be weak,” “afflicted,” “humbled,” “put under,” and—how about this one—”stay in your place.” — Source Bible Tools
God’s Design for Biblical Submission
God has given us roles, furthermore, an established order, He sets boundaries for our lives and as we study Christ-centered biblical womanhood we learn about God’s plan for our lives. His order, His design, and blueprint for our lives are for our good, safety, and protection. Submission is an act of faith and following, and biblical submission is respecting divinely appointed authority out of respect, and reverence for Christ.
P.B. Wilson said it best; some women do not know how to submit because they do not know what submission looks like. perhaps they were raised in a female-dominated family. perhaps other situations occurred that did not provide a proper role model for them.
Scriptures
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 1 Peter 3:1-2
For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.
1 Peter 3:5-6
For it was thus that the pious women of old who hoped in God were [accustomed] to beautify themselves and were submissive to their husbands [adapting themselves to them as themselves secondary and dependent upon them]. It was thus that Sarah obeyed Abraham [following his guidance and acknowledging his headship over her by] calling him lord (master, leader, authority). And you are now her true daughters if you do right and let nothing terrify you [not giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you]. 1 Peter 3:5-6 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Eph 5:21, (Rom.12:10). Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Romans 13:1 To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” Genesis 3:16 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. Ephesians 5:22, (Ephesians 6:9), (Col. 3:18–4:1), (Eph 6:5), (Col. 3:18). Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 1 Peter 5:5
When a woman obeys God by allowing her husband to lead, God Himself will stand as an impenetrable protective shield and defend her from outside deception. In this protected position, cursing is overcome and turned into a blessing.
Virginia Ruth Fugate
Submissive Noncompliance
One Biblical example of submissive noncompliance is found in the sixth chapter of Daniel. In this passage the king enacted a law that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions (Daniel 6:7b).
Obedience to the king’s decree would have caused Daniel to sin against a direct command of God: Thou shalt have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3). Therefore, it was necessary for Daniel to disobey the king’s law. However, was his disobedience an act of self-righteous rebellion, or was it submissive noncompliance? It is imperative that we examine Daniel’s attitude toward his king for the answer to this question.
In the first place, Daniel maintained a close personal relationship with God, even though it meant that he had to disobey his king.
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime (Daniel 6:10).
Secondly, there is no indication that Daniel had a rebellious or defensive attitude toward his subordinate role as a subject under a king. He previously submitted to the king’s authority in all things, and he did not disobey until the king passed a new law that directly opposed God’s expressed will: that believers worship Him alone, praying and giving thanks. Although Daniel knew the dire consequences of choosing to disobey in this instance, he did not do so defiantly, nor did he run away from those consequences. Daniel continued to recognize the king’s right to execute punishment as the duly appointed authority.
Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions (Daniel 6:16a).
Thirdly, Daniel remained respectful of his king’s position of authority. He was free from any rebellious or self-righteous attitudes before, during, and after his disobedience. Daniel’s speech after God delivered him from the lions is a perfect example of willing submission to an authority in a situation requiring submissive noncompliance.
Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live forever. My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him innocence was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt (Daniel 6:21–22).
Keep in mind that Daniel said, “O King live forever,” to an authority that had just ordered his death.
Application to Wives
Daniel’s example of submission is a far cry from the defiant “I’ll never let a man tell me what to do,” that we hear many women say today. Such outcries usually come from women who try to justify their refusal to obey God’s command to submit to their husbands by claiming that he might ask them to do something that would violate their personal rights. Such women lie in wait, expecting their husbands to err, so that their before-the-fact attitude of non-submission will be vindicated. They often fabricate ‘what if’s’ and treat the rare misuses of their husbands’ authority as if they were common, everyday events. (I believe, the percentage of husbands who actually ask their godly wives to sin is very, very small. Therefore, for most women this is a moot point, born more from a desire to escape submission entirely, than a true concern over wronging God.) The attitude of women who attempt to pre-justify non-submission is a continuation of the garden-variety rebelliousness that has existed since the fall of mankind. By contrast, Daniel’s example is a testimony of what is possible when a believer obeys God by properly submitting to human authorities who actually do act unrighteously. Defiant subordinates in other authority structures often act in a similar manner.
No, obedience and submission are not synonymous. The difference, however, is not necessarily seen in one’s overt actions. Obedience is an external act of compliance, while submission toward any authority is the respectful attitude that comes before, during, and after all actions. Where a list of rules and commands must precede obedience, submission precedes rules and supersedes law. Submission includes freedom of choice—the choice to obey God by freely yielding oneself to the authority He has placed over him/her. It involves trust—his or her absolute trust in the integrity of the God who designed the subordinates’ role and included submission to authority within His plan. Submission is the natural result of a believers abiding trust in God, and it is the fruit of their desire to do His Will.
Source: J. Richard Fugate, What the Bible Says About … Being a Man (Citrus Heights, CA: Foundation for Biblical Research, 2002), 221.
I don’t know how you feel about submission but Christ Jesus is our perfect example of submission.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:5-8).
Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39).
Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered (Hebrews 5:8).
Submission may not come easy to most of us women; the teachings of this world contradict scriptures, the Word of God.
Nevertheless, the fantastic thing about serving God and living for Christ is that we are more than conquerors! We do not need to fear; we do not need to retaliate. God is just! Furthermore, if God is for us, who on this earth can be against us?
Let us be women who rise above our circumstances, women who can rejoice in actually living within God’s design, women who reverence their husbands and encourage their leadership. Never is a woman told to submit to sin; we surely can use the scriptures and know that God goes before us; we can be women of courage who take a stand for righteousness with God’s grace, discernment, His timing, in prayer and with respect. Our battles are won through fervently praying the will of God and knowing that He fights our battles. We can know and find the will of God through reading and studying the scriptures, Psalm 37:4 says, Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Let us be women who proclaim the Promises of God and speak life over our families. It is all by His grace and faith in Christ. We all fall short of the glory of God, and we all need Christ; His mercies carry us through each and every day. HE will go before us! Regardless of our circumstances or situations, let us be women who put our faith and trust in Christ Jesus, not in man. Undoubtedly, human beings will fail us, and we ourselves will fail, but our God and our Rock, He will never. Let us take a stand and fight the good fight of faith, battling in prayer for our families.
Let us be our husband’s #1 Cheerleader, confidant, encourager, his safe place to rest his head and heart from this chaotic world and the storms of life! The LORD has called us to love the unlovely and extend grace and mercy by the power of God and the strength of His might.
Let us stand on the Promises of God, for HE Promised never to leave us or forsake us. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
JESUS said; Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental
strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you (Luke 10:19). AMP
Let’s Pray
Dear Heavenly Father,
We glorify Your Holy mighty name; we lift Your name on high, we praise You and come before You with adoration and reverence, we worship You and honor You. May our lives adorn the Gospel, and may we refute satans lies and expose his deceptive tactics, especially by walking in Your freedom and Your beautiful design for biblical womanhood. Teach us what true submission is and how to submit freely with reverence and honor to You, our Glorious King and mighty defender and protector. Give us hearts of meekness and gracious kindness; may Your Word be proclaimed in our lives. Thank You for Your protection and the authority you have divinely placed in our lives. Please help us to be women who respect authority and the leadership you have established in our lives. Make us the Bride who made herself ready; help us remain untainted by the influences of the culture in which we live. Adorn us with Your grace and mercy so that we may be women who extend Your loving-kindness. May we cultivate a heart of true inner beauty and goldy character that is a sweet aroma to You. We love You and thank You for Your excellent design for womanhood.
Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints.…
Revelation 19:7-8
There is satisfaction in living out God’s design for biblical womanhood.
RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY
On the Other Side of the Garden | Biblical Womanhood for Today’s World by Virginia Ruth Fugate
Liberated Through Submission | God’s Design for Freedom in All Relationships by P.B. Wilson
Awaiting his return,
