We must understand what a wife's biblical submission is NOT, because of the obvious questions: How far does submission extend? Is there anything to which a wife should not submit? Read or listen to this chapter from Your Marriage God’s Way to find out, "What does biblical submission of a wife look like in practice and what does it not involve?"



Table of ContentsANSWERING THOSE NAGGING QUESTIONSFirst, Biblical Submission Does Not Mean That Wives Submit to Other MenSecond, Biblical Submission Does Not Mean That Wives Submit to AbuseThird, Biblical Submission Does Not Mean That Wives Submit to SinFourth, Biblical Submission Does Not Mean That Husbands Do Not Defer to Their WivesFifth, Biblical Submission Does Not Mean That Husbands Do Not Listen to Their WivesSixth, Biblical Submission Does Not Mean That Wives Are InferiorFOLLOWING JESUS’S EXAMPLE OF SUBMISSION




https://youtu.be/qJ25Eup-xMI
Wives Submit to Your Husband is the third message I deliver at Your Marriage God's Way Conferences



I was invited to be one of the keynote speakers for a marriage conference. During one of the first planning meetings, the various speakers and the conference leaders came together to choose the topics for the messages. Many important topics were suggested, such as husbands loving their wives, intimacy, communication, and conflict resolution. Nobody mentioned submission, so I said I would preach on the subject. Immediately the tone in the room changed. While the other suggestions were met with enthusiastic responses, such as, “Sounds good…I look forward to hearing that message…That will be very beneficial,” mine was met with, “Umm…Uhh…Hmm.” You would’ve thought I had offered to speak on something completely unbiblical rather than the primary command given to wives that is very clearly repeated throughout the New Testament in Ephesians 5:22, 24, Colossians 3:18, Titus 2:3-5, and 1 Peter 3:1.



One of the other keynote speakers said, “I try not to use the word submit. I like to say defer, compromise, or consider.” The awkwardness continued when we filmed the promotional spots for the conference. My video probably took more time to be recorded than the rest of the speakers combined because there were repeated objections to me quoting Bible verses commanding wives to submit to their husbands. Interestingly, I did little more than simply recite the verses, letting the Bible speak for itself. I didn’t interpret them or comment on them, which reveals how much discomfort there is simply associated with what God’s Word says about submission.



Submission is difficult to address. Some people cringe at the word. I will be the first to say submission has been misused and abused in relationships, sermons, and counseling sessions. My desire is to approach this sensitive command in both a biblical and delicate manner. Up front, I would like to make two requests:



Please commit to taking the time to consider what Scripture itself says about submission and how it applies to everyday life. Clearly, the fact God made this such a key part of His marriage instructions means it is important.Please keep in mind that as our Creator and Designer, God knows the ideal for our relationships. Not only does He know what is best for us, He wants what is best for us. For us to reject His design is to settle for less than God’s best, and say we know better than Him.



ANSWERING THOSE NAGGING QUESTIONS



In any discussion of submission, some obvious and legitimate questions arise: How far does submission extend? Is there anything to which a wife should not submit? Are all women required to submit to all men? Does submission mean men can do whatever they want to their wives? What about physical or mental abuse?



As we cover the command for wives to submit to their husbands, I don’t want these questions nagging you. I believe you will be more receptive to what submission involves if you first learn what it does not involve.