So why have I called it an ugly word? Well, simple, because to many people take advantage of it.

It come is all forms, from marriage into the work place and it really is a shame.

Submission has it place, but it is how we seek it where the problem lies.

The problem is that many people believe that because I am the leader of the family or promoted to a prominent position at work, that you have to submit to my authority no matter what!

So what normally happens in this case, wives and people under you rebel because we become jerks and what our way or it is the highway.

If you don't believe that fact, then you should really read your bible, it was one of the biggest problems see through out scripture.

The Lord was always calling out Israel for their rebellious attitudes. So you think we are any different today? No!

Now on to my real subject, marriage. Yes it is true wives should submit to their husbands, but lets recognized this simple fact men, it is a two way street!

You see we are called to be the leaders of our families guiding them in the ways of the Lord, but if we don't submit to His ways, as many of us don't, then problems begin.

I think many of us our caught up in today's standards regarding marriage and that really is a shame and you can see how many of them have fallen apart and that includes Christians who should know better.

I really don't think to many churches teach enough regarding marriage and how to protect it. There is a huge gap here that needs to be taught.

Men go into a marriage expecting that their wife should submit to whatever he wants or wishes, and that is wrong, that is why the church should step up to the plate and teach on marriage and what Peter is speaking about here in regards to submission.

We take for granted the word submission without studying the words beyond it as Peter points out to the husbands after he tells the wife needs to submit;

"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wife and treat them with respect..."

In other words, because you are the leader, think about how you leading them! Is it in the love of Christ or is it in the ways of the world?

Good questions to asked yourself, don't you think? Well if you don't, at less I do.

Peter got this right, you want your wife to submit, well you better think about how you are treating her! Don't forget she is a daughter of God, place in your care!

I think Paul statement in Ephesians complements Peter writing here;

"And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

For wives, this means to submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.

(Now the catch, men!)

For the husbands, this meansLOVE YOUR WIFE AS CHRIST LOVED THE CHURCH. HE GAVE UP HIS LIFE FOR HER.....(Eph 5:21-25)"

You see, submission comes with a price. We as men really have to step up to the plate and be as Christ, loving our wives and be willing to die for her as Christ did for us, the church!

Yes it is hard most of the time, because we are flawed humans but it can be accomplished by leaning on God.

You see, as I stated above, submission comes with a price, you want respect and love from her, then treat as God wants you to because if not there are consequences to this as we turned back to 1 Peter, verse seven

"... treat them with respect.... as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."

I think that pretty much sums it up!

Can things still go wrong in the marriage? Yes, because the the more we surrender our lives to Jesus, the more tactics, schemes and temptations will the enemy throw our way! It is a fact and as the Lord states is His word, guard your hearts.

To conclude, if we as men want our wives to submit, the more we better be in line with Gods word and will and to treat and love them as Jesus loved the church and gave us life for her.

The key to a successful marriage is written in Gods precious word;

Submit you lives unto Christ, surrender all your ways to His, and watch your marriage grower stronger and stronger.

To those who have trouble marriages, don't throw in the towel yet and don't believe God has brought someone else into your life because He plainly states "I hate divorce".

What you need to do is take a step back, look at the big picture and realize that most of the problems you see in your marriage is the we lost site of the basic biblical principles and that the enemy is attacking it to separate you.

Don't walk into counseling sessions and say I am following Gods principles for marriage, because you would not be honest, and why do I say that?

Because god said, "What He brings together, let no man put asunder!"

There is no such thing as irreconcilable differences in Gods kingdom, just flawed human being who need to realize that without Gods help and provision, our marriages can fall about.

Does God give a way of of marriages? Yes there are ways out of a bad marriage, but not as I mention above, irreconcilable differences, because we are all different and that is a simple fact, but for infidelity, and you don't stay in a abusive marriage, no women deserves to be beaten by her husband.

Though we have these exceptions to divorce , another ugly word, you have to remember, if the spouse is willing to repent and return to God and follow Him, there is forgiveness to consider to and let the person back into your life.

There is so much more to write on and cover on this subject, but the bottom line is this:

Men if you want your wife to submit to you, you better get inline with Gods way or it will not happen, then again if you are doing your best in doing it Gods way and the wife still refuses to submit and goes her own way, or for that fact either of you, then I question if you were really a follower of Jesus.

Yeah hard words to end on today, but marriage is a lifetime commitment as is following the Lord and surrendering your life to Him and obeying all He tells to.

Men, love your wife as Christ loved the church, be aware of the attack of the enemy because he hates marriage probably more than anything else.

Men, Protect and love your wife, and wives love and submit to your husbands in as the both of you submit to Christ and His ways and your marriage will blossom in ways you never could imagine and the word submission will no longer be an ugly word in your lives.

Amen

Tweet