The shortest sermon you will ever hear will likely begin with the idiom, “Wives, be submissive to your husbands.” Upon hearing that phrase it is practically guaranteed that you are only moments away from, “The Lord bless you and keep you… make His face shine upon you…be gracious to you…lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace. Amen.”
Pastors quake in their clericals for the fear of those six words, but that should not be the case, for these words are applicable to Christian men as well. So having said that, the best way to navigate these dangerous waters is to take the plunge, after all, are not men (also) the bride of Christ?
Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” Revelation 19:7
But make no mistake about it Peter is addressing Christian women here; however there is enough meat on this bone to be shared. Christ calls us (men) to be submissive too, our conduct can draw the unsaved to the cross, and like the ladies, our concern should be for our inward appearance and not the outward. Needless to say, there would be very little spousal objection (to the submissive doctrine) if the husband practiced what he preached.
Cosmos
Changing gears only slightly, I wanted to briefly address the outer woman. What is God telling us about hair, jewelry, and clothes? I think the (above) text is pretty clear, but in this instance, I believe the King James Version of 1 Peter 3:3 says it better…Take note that the word ‘fine’ is absent from before the word apparel.
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel
Why is that significant?
It is important because some religious fanatics read this verse and take it to mean that women should not spend time fixing their hair, nor should they wear jewelry. If that was what Peter was saying, then he is also saying that women should not wear clothes—ever. Peter is not saying women shouldn’t wear clothes. Obviously the writer is merely declaring that the priority of the woman needs to be inward. As for make-up and such, some old-time pastor said it best when he said…
“If the barn needs painting, paint it.”
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:30
Thanx Kim! I am certain God will honor your choices.
My wife and I have had similiar ‘debates’ over who keeps the ‘books’ in the house. It would seem that the husband should do it, but honestly I am unable to do it because my math skills are so horrible. I know it is an ugly task, but it is a job best suited for the one with the brains–in this case, my wife.
Are both you guys born again believers?
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In my marriage I was the dominant person for 7 years, and now I have been the submissive person for the last 10 years. I find that both of us are much happier. The only thing that has changed is that he makes the final decisions, and I respect his choices instead of nagging and over ruling him. I begged him to take over the finances, but he said no so I am still in charge of the money. I still give my opinion, and he still respects me and my feelings. I would rather submit then be dominant.
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God bless you Frances and also this man in your life (thanx for the visit and the kind word too!)
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This is very interesting. I liked it. I’m a college student, and I’m not married but as a girl (I guess you could call me a woman or almost there or something). I kind of want to get used to the idea of submitting before I actually have to do it that way it’ll be a smoother transition. I’m actually in a relationship right now and he’s older than me and has settling down on his mind, I do too though I’m young so there’s a good chance that I could end up married to this man. I didn’t really have any good examples growing up and that’s not my mom’s fault. My father was a marine so she was always having to be in charge as he was constantly overseas and then when my father came home he’d be abusive and angry and my mother had no choice but to do something when he was berateing, belittling, and threatening us, especially my brother. But when times were good i do remeber my mother asking my father for his say in what we should do and checking with him first for different things. So thank you very much for your input, it’s much appreciated
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Thank you kindly for such a wonderful blog!
In these times, it is a very rare character trait to find in a woman a love, for even the word “submit”. I look much about me in the world to find grotesque elements that genuinely would place a real woman at ill ease; such self righteous deserving to be had among the lot of women! Such animosity for giving of ones self to the most important person in life; the head of the household – the keeper, the giver, the protector, the guidon. And so little joy, as to know the fruits of the labor of simple mere submission; by which the gifts in turn are as heaven on earth.
But most would not understand.
I am simply happy I do. My life is been filled with such understanding because of it. Such love, such joy. I love Christs gifts through our actions of following His commandments.
The lack of submission to the husband has literally caused the economic state the U.S. is in today…
Turning tides sweet Vashti’s, turning tides…
love always
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Thank you so much for your visit and kind word. God bless you.
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So glad I said (maybe)…lol
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Oddly enough, one of our pastors just preached, last Sunday, on Ephesians 5, starting with verse 21: “Submit yourselves to one another,” and continuing through Paul’s instructions to both wives and husbands. Another of our pastors preached two sermons on the same passage, three or four years ago, addressing wives one weekend, and husbands the next.
This time through it, I thought the pastor was too easy on the wives. When the passage is properly presented and understood, and if one has made a good choice in a husband, there is no cause for fear. The word “submit,” there, really means “respect,” and one of the most difficult things for wives to do, especially if they’ve made a truly bad choice or are not committed Christ followers, is to respect their husbands. There is some unholy thing in us that makes us more interested in changing the poor guys, than respecting who they are.
I’ve done marriage both ways, and I can tell you the Biblical way makes for much greater harmony and enjoyment.
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Well, as a woman, I can tell you from at least one of us that you can relax. Not everyone HATES this with their innermost beings.
Sure, this has really hurt me before, really made me furious, really made me bitter. But other things matter more. I don’t really spend any time with men who take advantage of this scripture, and they all put a lot of focus on Ephesians 5:25 “Husbands, love your wives as Christ loves the church”
Sorry, but I have more important things to be concerned about. Like the millions upon millions of people who will die never hearing Christ preached because we in the West were wanted to spend lots of money to fly there ourselves instead of sponsoring native missionaries for a fraction of the cost.
I have more important things to get concerned about like my friends and family who are going through rough times.
I am the last person I have time to worry about.
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Thanks for the link love. That was a fun project to work on for a great cause.
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