"Submit Woman"

If I had $1 for every time I heard "Submit Woman" I'd be a very wealthy lady! I am not what would be described as a submissive woman. My natural nature is to NOT submit. My nature wants to rear it's ugly head and demand it's rights. Our culture doesn't help at all. It tells me, "You are a woman! That makes you better than man. That means you have special rights. That means you can do whatever makes you happy. That means you don't need anyone, especially a man, to tell you what to do." The world we live in does it's best to make me believe that I'm better off on my own, doing what I want and NOT submitting to authority, least of all to my husband. Our media presents marriage as a joke. Husbands are made fun of and stripped of respect. Women are the authority on everything and men are stupid. Women who respect their husbands and honor them are made out to be old fashioned and behind the times. We have an enemy who's whole purpose is to kill and steal and destroy and he's targeting marriages. These things combined with my own natural sinful nature bring about the circumstances in which my husband rightfully needs to say, "Submit Woman". Scott wasn't the first to speak those words, Apostle Paul was. Paul, inspired by Holy Spirit, wrote, "and further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." Note: all believers should submit to each other. "For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord." (Eph 6:21, 22) The word "submit" has been abused over the years and used to enslave women under the guise of christianity. However, that cannot and should not be an excuse to claim our "rights" or live independently from our husbands. It's also not an excuse to just plain do whatever makes me happy. True submission comes out of our love for our Savior. True submission comes out of our "reverence" for Christ. True submission isn't based on our husbands' actions or attitudes, it's based on Jesus. When we understand the authority of Christ, we can easily submit to the head that He has placed over us. "For a husband is head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church" (Eph 5:23). This isn't a license for husbands to be dictators, instead they are given a command too; "Love your wives, just a as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean" (Eph 5:25, 26). The love that Jesus has for the church is unconditional, it's sweet and precious, it's unselfish and kind. My husband loves me as Christ loves the church and he loves me as he loves himself (Eph 5:28). It's my role to "submit to him in everything" (Eph 5:24) and respect him at all times(Eph 5:33). When these two things happen then our marriage truly is founded on Jesus and He is truly the center of our home. Submission doesn't mean that I adopt the attitude of "whatever you want, Honey". I have a voice and because Scott loves me and cherishes me, he listens to me. But when it comes right down to it, I can't demand my way. I can't demand that I am right. A submissive heart gives him the final decision and supports it completely. This means I don't say "I told you so" when I do happen to be right. Respect encourages and honors and protects just like love cherishes and honors and protects. BECAUSE Scott loves me as Jesus loves the church AND I respect him and submit to him, our marriage is balanced and pleasing to the Lord. THIS is a marriage that lasts and will stand up against our selfish culture that says I have the right to do whatever makes me happy. THIS is a marriage that will overcome our sinful nature and our enemy who's trying to destroy our home. THIS is a marriage that lays down the natural inclination to demand our own way but instead prefers each other in love. Couples, I pray Holy Spirit whispers to you "submit woman" or "love your wife, man" as you need it. Wives, I pray that as the enemy comes to destroy your marriage with falsehoods you will surrender your rights and truly submit to the head of your home that God has placed in authority over you. Husbands, I pray you don't abuse this submission but instead you love your wife and care for her as Jesus loves the church. "A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one." (Eph 5:31) What happens to your spouse, happens to you. What happens to you, happens to your spouse. If you don't love her, husband, you don't love yourself. If you don't respect him, wife, you don't respect yourself. When you are united together with Christ in the center of your marriage, you are unstoppable! "When you look at your mate, you're looking at a part of you. So treat her well. Speak highly of him. Nourish and cherish the love of your life." (The Love Dare)