"Oh no, she didn't?!" I can just hear that little voice in your mind right now. You know, the one that talks back to your husband even when your mouth stays shut. Or the one that criticizes your pastor after he preaches something you didn't like. Ouch, feel that? I did. It's a pretty big nerve too, I might add.
If you couldn't tell already, I'm not here to feed you fluff. I've struggled {am struggling} with these words daily. So why do I want to act like I got it all together? I don't and probably never will.
However, today I had a turning point. I can't explain how, it was a spiritual shift. My focus had been on the wrong target for so long, that the false became truth and vise versa.
The truth is this: it's not about me. Or you. Sorry. Actually, no I'm not.
It's about Jesus. It's about others. It's about His will and His kingdom. I'm not saying we are insignificant. I'm talking about order. And the Lord Jesus Christ is definitely all about order...{1 Corinthians 14:40}
These words are in place for a reason. For correction but mainly for protection. And I don't just mean from that red guy with the horns. Sad how you knew who I meant based on the world's image of him. I can bet he looks nothing like that.
The point is, there is a battle. Good vs evil. Man vs nature. Men vs women. Uh, wait, that last one doesn't seem biblical. And yet we somehow think it is.
I'm not going to talk about the history of women's rights, equality, the liberation movement or anything like that.
I'm going to talk Bible talk. It seems to me that is where understanding and knowledge {two very different things} make the best marriage. Oh, did I say marriage? Ha, we'll get to that...
Obedience and submission are very similar. To obey an order or a rule, you must submit. In order to submit, you must obey. They go hand in hand like candy and sunshine. Only we don't feel as warm inside. Or outside. Or anywhere, really. Why is that? Have we been programmed so much by society's definition of these words, that now as a Christian wife we seem to allow that definition to trump the Word of the Almighty?
To be obedient, we must be submissive by complying with orders. This usually means denying how we feel and what we want. I mean, who wants to do that?!
Soldiers. Soldiers are obedient. Soldiers submit themselves everyday, doing things they don't want to do, fighting fights that aren't even theirs, never knowing more than their leaders. They are only told specific details attached to the job given.
They must trust in their leader. Trust that they know what they are doing. Trust that they are plugged into the overseer of the entire operation.
Why? Their very lives depend on it. An order is given and they don't have time for questions.
It's time for action because there is a battle and one hesitation can mean life or death. If they wait, it could be the last thing they ever do. If they rebel and disobey the orders, not only can they get hurt or worse, but the ones around them are in danger as well. Side note about orders: life revolves around them. Orders don't have to be looked at as negative. Orders bring, well, order.
As Christian wives, we are soldiers of the home. I'm not trying to feed you any 1950's tv commercial slogan.
Check out Titus 2:5 KJV:
"To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."
A few months ago I read a book called
Pursuit of Proverbs 31 by Amy Bayliss. My brain has been spinning since then. When you read her words, you can't help but feel like they aren't really her words. She allowed the Holy Spirit to pen these truths:
"All are equal but one takes on more responsibility than the rest."
"If your country were being invaded by terrorists and a soldier knocked on your door and said, "Follow me" you wouldn't hesitate to go. You have a reverent fear and awe of those serving your country and know that they have your best interests in mind. He is reporting to his commanding officer who is ultimately reporting to the highest of authority in your country. You trust those sent to protect you by this higher authority. God placed your husband there to protect you and keep your best interest in mind. He is your soldier. He is reporting to the highest of authority. You should have reverent fear and awe of him.
When you submit to your husband you are submitting to Christ. This submission is for your protection. It is not to strip you of who you are or your full potential. That is a lie from the pit of Hell."
Whoa, right? I urge you to get this book if you have not already,
right here on Amazon. This isn't a paid sponsored post. I'm not getting paid to talk about this topic or her book. It has truly changed my life and I can say my marriage is better because I am better. There is still so much I am working on but I find peace knowing I'm breaking those lies; the mindsets that have taken root in my heart and are poisoning my soul. Because, honestly ladies...when the wife is dying, the entire house dies.
We are both soldiers, fighting in the same battle. There is a Divine order given that we both must follow. Just because you have someone leading you, doesn't mean you are not important. Having "reverent fear" is not being scared or terrified. It's having a deep respect for someone that you don't want to go against them or displease them. Soldiers need to remember who their battling. It should never be their fellow soldiers.
Here are some scriptures that I urge you to pray over and study on your own. Remember: don't make decisions by how you feel or what you see. Go by what you learn and what you know. That's what all soldiers do. If every soldier went by feelings, we'd have to surrender because no one would be on the battlefield.
It takes more strength to follow, obey and submit then it does to disobey and run away.
{The Lord}
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7
{Marriage}
"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." Ephesians 5:22
{Leadership/Pastor/Elder}
"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. "Hebrews 13:17
"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
