April 3, 2009
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Submitting in the (seemingly) little things!
The pull on Christian women to adapt to the agenda of our cultural voices of feminism not only comes from society but from our own inward, sinful disposition . Wives want to rule but God has commanded that the husband rule over them. (Genesis 3:16)
I find it helpful to do a ‘submission’ check on a regular basis. Scripture says that the heart is deceitful and mine is no exception. Lately, I found I’m slipping in a few areas of a submissive attitude towards my husband. I’m taking measures to correct it and pray the Lord will continue to show me where I may be missing the mark in other areas.
Here is a little ‘submission test‘ :
Who do you go to FIRST when you need to make an important decision? Your husband or your best friend or your mother?
When your husband complains about something in your charge do you willingly try to change it or defend yourself? (This might include his correction in how you keep house, the meals you are fixing him, your discipline of the children, etc.)
Do you trust that God is leading you through your husband? Or do you resist the decisions he makes thinking he is ‘not hearing from God?’
Are you willing to go where he goes? To dwell where he dwells?
Do you speak to your husband in the same tone and respect that you would speak to your pastor?
Oh, I could go on and on. So, how did you do?
Here is a paragraph I love from an old reprint called, Of Domestical Duties by William Gouge (1622).
“It is a good proof and trial of a wives obedience, to abstain from doing such things as otherwise she would do, if her husband contrary will did not restrain her: but yet that is not sufficient, there must be an active, as well as a passive obedience yielded. That old Law before mentioned (thy desire shall be subject to thine husband, and he shall rule over thee) implieth so much also. If she refuse to do what he would sav her to do, her desire is not subject to him, but to her self, neither does he rule over her.”
Comments (3)
Good post! Submission is a BIG topic, but one that needs addressing in our day . There are so many misconceptions out there..from women’s rights to domineering men and doormat wives..neither is the scriptural pattern.
William Gouge, that’s the guy who believed in beating servants for the great crime of teaching children to “stage plays.”
@GoodbyeSickan - William Gouge (1575-1653) was an English clergyman and author. He was a minister and preacher at St Ann Blackfriars for 45 years, from 1608, and a member of the Westminster Assembly from 1643.