Week 8 | Tuesday
Tuesday
Written by Carla Hughes (Lithopolis Campus)
Ephesians 5:22-24
Key Verse:
“Wives submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.”
I recall being newly married and wanting to win every argument (or moment of intense fellowship). The argument was not about resolving, rather it was about having my way, my choice, my plan. My competitive spirit often created conflict because I saw yielding (submission) to my husband as losing rather than honoring or godly. My competitive drive (and lack of relationship with Jesus) overrode any thought except winning. The result was this constant tug of war between my will and my husband’s. And that is exhausting and erodes the relationship. God made a better plan for the marriage relationship.
Submission as a follower of Christ requires an intimate and trusting relationship with God. Submission as a wife is easiest when there is an intimate and trusting relationship with a husband. When we trust and know God and our husbands, we can know that they have the best plan and desires for us. Psalm 32:8 says that the Lord guides us along the best pathway for our lives. Following His plan for submission takes us along the best pathway for our marriages. Our fear of submission is really a demonstration of our unbelief and mistrust in his ways for marriage, and the belief that our desires for marriage are better.
Submission to God and His plan brings freedom and fulfillment in all relationships, including marriage. In submission, our will is not extinguished; it is placed in the hands of God to shape and mold us to be His masterpiece. This shaping and molding leads us to live in relationships, including marriage, in ways that honor Him and allow our husbands to lead our families as God commands. God’s plan for submission in marriage is designed so that our voices and influence as wives are respected and considered by husbands as they are also commanded to love their wives as Christ loves the church. There is no need for a tug of war between the will of a husband and wife in God’s design, because godly marriage is built on a foundation of love and respect for God which directs and guides our relationship as husband and wife.
Reflection Questions:
- How does this command from God to submit in marriage impact your perspective on marriage?
- Ladies, do you honor Christ by submitting to your husband? Gentlemen, do you honor Christ by respecting and appreciating the submission of your wife?
- What is an area of your marriage that is challenged by this commandment?
Prayer Prompt:
“God, help me to take this commandment to heart and live this out. Change any negative attitudes I have about submission. Help me to live out marriage in a way that honors you and my spouse.”