THE TRUTH ABOUT SUBMISSION-PT 2
Welcome to the concluding part of this article. I believe you were blessed by the last article, and hope you have been putting all you learnt previously to work. This week, I shall examine some areas you need to exhibit submission.
Spiritually
It is unscriptural for a woman to seek to pursue a vision or spiritual project when her husband is against it. A woman must first identify with her husband’s calling or vision because the Bible says you are to fit in. Like a part of a jigsaw puzzle, you must adapt and adjust to your husband’s dream. As you do so joyfully, if God has given you a different ministry, your husband will gladly back you up. I am a living proof of this.
Out of zeal, a number of women take offence when their husbands don’t allow them to take up certain activities in their local church. By applying wisdom in prayers, a woman can get her husband to change his mind about her kingdom interest. Never should you resort to quarrelling. Remember, prayer changes things.
Physically
Don’t keep your body away from your spouse with the hope of punishing him; it is unscriptural. The Bible says: The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife (1 Corinthians 7:4). An understanding that your body belongs to your husband and his to you will make it easier to yield your body to him. For instance, you may not feel like making love with your husband, but out of submission, you freely do so if he so desires. Your husband will have more respect for you and go out of his way to please you. Whether he does or not, knowing you are obeying God’s commandment will bring you so much satisfaction.
Physical submission also includes your outward appearance, e.g. cooking, taking care of the home, etc. If your husband does not like a particular way you wear your hair, makeup or clothes, please be submissive enough to change it instead of saying it’s the way you know how to do it. As a wife, if you seek to please your husband, God will make your life pleasant.
Financially
Money is merely a device of buying and selling. It should never be a channel for the devil to gain access to your home, and it should not be exalted as a god. The love of money makes many deal dishonestly with one another in marriage. Some wives go to the extent of hiding money away in banks without the knowledge of their husbands.
I don’t hide away money from my husband, and my openness has motivated him to trust me completely. As husband and wife, whether you keep a joint or a separate account, you must ensure there is openness. This is the only way to avoid shame.
Please note that submission must be absolute. But the Bible gives a condition in Ephesians 5:22: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. Submission is as unto the Lord. So, when a man wants his wife to engage in practices contrary to the Word of God, she is scripturally not expected to submit; to do so is absolute foolishness! This must be done in wisdom, as making heaven is more important. We must not compromise our faith. If your husband is not born again, constantly ask God for wisdom on how to submit to him the Bible way without displeasing God or missing heaven.
It is important to know that submitting absolutely to your husband does not come without accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. That is why you need to surrender to Christ, which makes it easier to submit to your husband. So, if you are not born again, please say this prayer of faith: Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner, and I cannot help myself. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. From today, Lord Jesus, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now, I am Born Again.
Congratulations! You are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave or forsake you. With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace, in Jesus’ name! Please write or call to share your testimonies with me through oyedepofaitha@gmail.com OR 08141320204 and 07026385437.
For more insight, these books, authored by me, are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian Bookstores: Making Marriage Work, Building a Successful Home, Marriage Covenant, and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).