Heavens Helpers :: Submission, Total and Complete

Submission, Total and Complete

Submission, nothing seems to strike animosity or resistance in the hearts of women more than this one subject. Yet, if we read the New Testament even part way through, we’ll quickly see that submission is not just for women but for all believers. That’s why today we’re going to do a complete study on submission according to the Bible. Hopefully when we are finished, this will not be such a painful or threatening subject for people.

Submission to the Lord and His Word

Each and every Christian, if they are truly a Christian by actions and not just by name, will immediately enter into submission to the Lord when they give their life to Jesus. That’s why Jesus asks why people call Him their Lord when they do not obey Him. (Luke 6:46) “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” It’s only the ones who do what Jesus says in His word who are in submission to God. The Greek word for submission is “hupotasso” (hoop-ot-as'-so) which means to obey, be under obedience (obedient), put under, be put in subjection to, submit self unto.

So the very first action as a believer, male or female is complete submission to a new Lord and a new Savior. Instead of serving ourselves and our selfish needs, we are now called to serve the Lord. We do this by submitting to the Word of God and whatever it says. We obey the Word (which is Jesus) no matter where it leads us. By submitting to the Lord and obeying His Word, we will naturally start to die to our old selfish needs and will die as the Bible commands us to. (Matthew 16:25) For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it. Losing our life is not a one time thing but a continual process of dying daily to ourselves and living the life of Jesus. The Apostle Paul said, “I die daily” because He was in complete submission to Jesus daily! We as believers must be in complete submission to what we see in the Word of God, a total and complete submission to Jesus Christ and His Word each and every day.

Jesus was in complete submission to His Father

Total submission to Jesus and His Word; is this too much for Jesus to ask of us? No, it really isn’t because Jesus was our perfect example. He was in complete submission to His Father in Heaven. (John 5:30) "I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me… Jesus did nothing on His own; He did not seek His own will; He sought only His Father’s will. Jesus wasn’t concerned about Himself or His needs, Jesus came to do the will of the Father. (John 6:38) For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. Jesus was our perfect example of total submission to His Father. Are you willing to make Jesus your Lord and Master? If so you’ll be submitting and obeying the Word of God just as Jesus submitted to His Father’s Word. Let’s start to read that Word and what it says about total and compete submission in all areas of our lives.

Satan in complete submission to Jesus and the church

When we first become a baptized “born again” Christian, we enter into a new and spiritual realm. Believers are now seated with Christ in Heavenly places and it’s no longer us that live but Christ living in us! Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we now have the authority that Jesus has. (Eph 1:20-23) He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body… Did you know that Christ has put all things in subjection to Him and then has turned around and given that authority to the church, meaning all believers? That means that Satan and his demons are in subjection and have to obey you! (Luke 10:17) Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” The demons are in complete submission because of the blood of Jesus. Every believer who knows his or her authority in Jesus has complete power over the enemy. (Mark 16:17) And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons… Because it’s Christ who lives in you, the demons shudder in fright. (That is if you know and believe your authority in Christ the demons have to obey you.) If you don’t believe this, the devil will push you around. Just like a parent who has the authority over their children but doesn’t take that authority, the kids will walk all over the parents. They have the authority but they give it up and those spoiled children soon wreak havoc within the house.



We to as Christians give up our authority to the devil. (Luke 10:18) And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. (19) Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (20) Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Stop being afraid of what the devil tries to do in your life; he is in complete submission to the “Jesus in you.” The sooner you believe this, the sooner you’ll stop letting him push you around. (James 4:7) Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Take back what you’ve given to the devil and make him submit to the Christ in you!

Submission of your flesh to the Spirit

Probably the biggest part of our growth as a Christian is submitting our flesh to the Spirit of God. (Romans 8:7) Because the carnal mind is enmity (hatred) against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. (8) So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. If we are in the flesh with the way we think and the way we act, then we cannot please God. In fact our old carnal mind is hatred against God. That’s why it’s so important to read the Word of God and renew our mind with the thinking of Christ. (Romans 12:2) Be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. We can only renew our mind to have the mind of Christ, if we submit to the Word of God. Remember the mind controls our body and the actions we take. That’s why the Apostle Paul said, “I discipline my body and keep it under control (submission), lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (1 Cor 9:27). The biggest challenge we have in submitting to the Spirit is the way we think. There is a constant war between what our flesh “feels” is right and what the Spirit says is right according the Word. That’s why the Bible says that we should be “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor 10:5). If we’re continually casting down thoughts and imaginations that are contrary to the Bible, then we are submitting to the Spirit and the Word.

An example of bringing your thoughts into captivity would be you deciding not to get angry even though in the flesh you may be justified. Bringing your thoughts into captivity in total submission to the Spirit of God would be you choosing not to be offended when someone offends you. You know what the Bible says; you hear that still small voice of calm and forgiveness so you submit to the Spirit and choose love rather than conflict. That is total and complete submission to God; you’re putting to death your old fleshly nature and submitting to Christ. (Galatians 5:24) And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. This crucifixion of your flesh creates Christ in you. You’re putting to death the old you so that the new you which is “Christ in you” can grow. (Col 3:9) Seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices (10) and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Total and complete submission is an everyday process for the true Christian. But if you’re a “Christian” who is submitting to your flesh, the Bible says you will die! (Romans 8:13) For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. If you’re a son of God, Scripture confirms that you will be “led by the Spirit of God” which really means total and complete submission to God’s Spirit. Those who are not in submission to the Spirit are being led by the flesh, proving they are in submission to the devil, who is in control of the flesh.

Submission of believers to other believers

The Bible speaks at length about the submission of believers to other believers. It’s the proving ground for us to practice being in submission to the Spirit. That’s done by “being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others (Philippians 2:2-4). What if all Christians practiced putting others first and esteeming others better than themselves? They would be in compete and total submission to the Word of God by submitting to one another. (Ephesians 5:21) Submitting to one another in the fear of God. We would not only submit to one another out of reverent fear of the Lord, but we would work hard to lift others up who are weak in the faith. (Rom 15:1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (2) Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. (3) For Christ did not please himself... Once again, we see Christ as our example, not pleasing himself but building others up. We who are strong have an obligation to lift up those who are failing and are weak. (Luke 9:23) And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. If believers are truly following Jesus, they are denying themselves and are in submission to others and what their needs are; they are bearing the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Are we bearing these fruits of the spirit? If this fruit is blossoming in our lives we should look more and more like Christ.

Submission to older believers

Younger believers are commanded to submit themselves to their elders. (1 Peter 5:5) Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility… Elders along with all others should each be submissive to one another but the younger should especially be subject to their elders. This is our calling, total and complete submission to one another; everyone in humility and no one thinking themselves better than the other.

Submission to those in the ministry

Believers are called to submit to those who are teaching, preaching and laboring in the Lord because, “they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us” (1 Cor 16:15,16). Obeying and submitting to those who are working hard for you in the Lord should come natural for all believers. (Heb 13:7) Remember them that had the rule over you, men that spake unto you the word of God; and considering the issue of their life, imitate their faith..(17) Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls... Although we are in complete and total submission to our religious leaders we must make sure that we don’t make them our “head”. Jesus Christ is head of the church and not man. (Ephesians 1:22) He put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church. Believers are to obey their church leaders as long as they’re preaching and teaching the Word of God as the Bible states. (1 Timothy 5:17) Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. More honor is to be given to the elders or overseers of the Body of Christ. Yet, if their church leaders teach contrary from what Jesus teaches us in His Word, the believer must obey Christ; He is your head and not man. (Ephesians 5:23) Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. To sum it up, we as believers should obey and submit to our church leaders but we must not let them usurp the authority of Christ as our head. If you have godly leadership who is teaching and preaching the true gospel of Jesus Christ, you’ll never have a reason to not submit to them completely.

Submission in the work place

Submission doesn’t stop with your spiritual leaders; our submission should go into the work place. (1 Peter 2:18) Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. (19) For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. (20) For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. (21) For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: This shows us that even if we have a Boss who is unfair or harsh with us, as believers we must still submit and have a good attitude towards our boss or employer. Scripture says it’s good if we suffer because Jesus left us that example we should follow and our reward will be in heaven. (Titus 2:9) Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back. Whether we are a servant or an employee, according to the Word of God, we are to be obedient and not talk back. We are supposed to work as if we are working for the Lord. (Col 3:23) Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Are you in submission to your employer as unto the Lord? How about your supervisor at work are you working heartily as for the Lord?

Submission to Governing authorities

Next for the believer comes total and complete submission to the governing authorities. (Romans 13:1) Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. (2) Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. Do you understand that all governmental authorities are appointed by God? No matter how corrupt our government and rulers are, believers are called to submit to them completely. Scripture says if we resist the rulers we resist God. I don’t think any believer wants to fight against God but that’s exactly what they are doing by resisting the government. (Titus 3:1) Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, (2) to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

Christians are called to obey every ordinance and law that man makes. Paying taxes, state and federal laws; whatever law that doesn’t go against God’s law we are commanded to obey. (1 Peter 2:13) Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, (14) or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. God sends wicked rulers to punish those doing evil and those who need judgment. Just look at Jesus and His disciples, they were under an oppressive government, yet they submitted to the rulers and did not fight back. The only exception of not obeying the rulers was when they gave the Apostles a command that broke God’s word, and here was their answer. (Act 5:27-29) And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us." But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men”. Christ is our head and we will submit to Christ by submitting to the authorities unless it contradicts with God’s Word, then we must obey Him.

Submission for single, divorced and widowed women

Before we look at submission within the family structure, we will look at single believers and who the Bible commands them to be subject too. By single we will look at single never been married, divorced, and widowed women. First we’ll look single, never been married individuals. Obviously if you are single and under your parents roof, you are to submit to them as they are your head. Once you’re out from under your parent’s roof, you must still honor and obey them as the commandment says, but Christ is now your head and you must submit to Him. You are to obey the Lord and what His Word says in all things. As long as you are single and unmarried, Christ is your head.

For men, whether they are single, divorced or widowed, Jesus is their head and they are subject to Jesus in all things. (1 Cor 11:3) But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ. Because Jesus is always the head for men, I’ll address women in this next section. We will cover women who are widowed and divorced. According to Scripture, a woman is released from her husband by only two ways, first by her husband’s death. (Rom 7:2) For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. (3) Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress. The wife cannot just walk away and marry another; she is bound to the husband as long as he lives. When the husband dies she is released from her husband and is now a widow. The other way a woman is released from the husband is by infidelity on his part. (Matthew 19:9) And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery." From what I understand in the Scriptures, not just men but both men and women are released from their spouses in cases of sexual immorality. If you are woman divorced because of infidelity on the part of your husband, you are now released from him.

In God’s eyes, women who are widowed or divorced are the same. Divorcees and widows are freed from their earthly head (their husbands) and are now supposed to serve God. In fact, we see the Apostle Paul encouraging all unmarried to stay that way so they can submit to the Lord fully. (1 Cor 7:32) But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. (33) But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife... The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband. (35) And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction. Unmarried individuals don’t realize the gift they possess with the freedom they have to fully serve the Lord without distractions. Paul even warns against the single women serving themselves and her pleasures instead of serving God. (1Titus 5:5) She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, (6) but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. Single women, I would encourage you to use your freedom wisely in complete submission to the Lord, for He is your Head. No man, no pastor, but Jesus Christ alone is your head; serve Him faithfully!



Headship
Our heavenly Father has set out in the Scriptures an order to family life. It starts with the children being in complete submission to the parents. That mother and father are what the Bible calls the children’s head. After the children comes the wife who is to be in complete submission to the Husband. (Ephesians 5:22) Wives, be in subjection unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. (23) For the husband is the head of the wife… The head of the wife is the husband, not God and not Jesus but the husband; he is the head of the wife. After the wife comes the husband who is to be in complete submission to Christ. (1 Cor 11:3) But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ. Jesus Christ is the head of the man, not his wife, not his pastor, Jesus Christ is his head and he must submit and obey Him only. Finally we have Jesus who is in complete submission to the Father, “the head of Christ is God”. Yes, God the Father is the head over Jesus Christ. Total and complete submission is required from Jesus down to the husband, then to the wife and finally to the children. No one gets by without submitting to somebody, we all have a head which we must obey. (1 Cor 11:3) But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.



Submission of children to their parents

Next we’ll look at the family and what total and complete submission means for each family member. Submission starts as a child, if you raise your children to be respectful and obedient, they will always be respectful and obedient. (Proverbs 22:6) Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it. Children are called to be obedient to their parents no matter what. Even if the child thinks they are right and the parents wrong they must obey their parent; it is one of the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20:12) “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you. Children have no authority to question or disobey their parent’s will. That child’s mother and father have their children’s best interests in mind. The child’s submission should be a mirror image of Jesus to His Father. Jesus did not question, complain or think that He knew better than His Father and neither should our children.

We see in Scripture that Jesus was subject to both His Father in heaven and also His earthly parents. (Luke 2:48) So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” (49) And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (51) Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them... Even though He was the Son of God, Jesus was obedient in all ways to His parents. The relationship your children have with their parents should mirror the relationship Jesus had with His Father. If children cannot be obedient and in submission to the parents, they can never obey God later in life.



Parents, there is a lesson for you too. (Col 3:20) Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. (21) Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Just as parents expect obedience from their children, God expects obedience from the parents in not provoking their children unnecessarily. God knows when you’re being unfair to your son or daughter and it’s you that will have to answer before the Lord for your actions. (Proverbs 11:1) A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight. God expects us to be balanced in our parenting, just like He is with us.



Husbands must obey first!
Most believers don’t have a problem understanding in the Word of God that children should be in submission to the parents and man in submission to Christ, but somehow in our modern way of thinking we have an issue when the Word says that the women are to be submissive to their husbands. Part of that is because men have demanded submission of their wives without being in submission to Christ first.
Let’s take a look at the Biblical view of what total and complete submission would look like within the family structure. It first starts with the husband; if he is in submission to the Lord, then he is not seeking his own needs but those of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 2:21) For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. When the husband is seeking the things of Christ, he will not “lord” over his wife demanding this or that. Christ is our example and just as Christ came to serve and not to be served, so should the husband. (John 13:3) Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, (4) rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. (5) After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded… (12) So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? (13) You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. (14) If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. (15) For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. A man that has Christ as his head will be in complete submission to the Word of God and His word has shown us the example we should follow.

Submission for the wife

Wives, would a husband who puts the interests of Christ ahead of his own be hard to follow and submit too as the Bible commands? (Ephesians 5:22) Wives, submit to your own husbands, as unto the Lord. (23) For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. (24) Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. This is not a suggestion for the wife but a command, to be subject to her husband as unto the Lord and in everything! Remember wives that if Jesus really is your Lord and your Master, you will obey His word and submit to it, no matter how your flesh cries out against it. Just look at Jesus as our example. (Mark 14:35) He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. (36) And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.” His flesh was fighting against what He knew He was to suffer on the cross but Jesus submitted to His Father’s will instead of His will. Yes, the fleshly will of Jesus was to have the Father “take this cup away from Me.” But instead of fighting against His head, Jesus was in total and complete submission to His Father, “nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.” Wives too, must follow the example of Jesus to do your husbands will and not yours.

Wives ask yourself, “how would I act if I was married to Jesus?” Would you submit to Jesus in everything; would you submit to Jesus “as unto the Lord?” Of course, the wife would submit to Jesus in everything. That same Jesus who you say that you’d submit to, commands you: “wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives— when they see your respectful and pure conduct… For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good… (1 Peter 3:1,2,5,6). Women, you are Sarah’s spiritual children “if you do good” and obey the Word. Your husband though, has to stand or fall on his own merits. If he is unfair with you or disobedient to the word of God, he will have to answer for it. You on the other hand have a responsibility to do what the Bible says no matter how disobedient your husband is. Christians will prove their love for God by obeying what is commanded in the Word and Jesus again was our example. (John 14:31) But I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father… The Bible continually equates obedience to the Word with loving God. Wives, if you don’t obey God’s Word in submitting to your husband just because he is disobedient and doesn’t deserve it, you are proving that you really don’t love God and He will now hold you responsible for your disobedience.

Women, I encourage you to do your part in obeying the Word and submitting to your husband even if they don’t deserve it. This is your test in life to see if you’ll be obedient to the Lord in all things. (1 Peter 3:14) But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled. Ladies if you don’t have that Godly husband who treats you the way the Bible commands, you will be eternally rewarded if you do your part. For all your suffering and all your obedience to the Word, even when life doesn’t seem fair, you will be richly blessed in the life to come! This was your cross to bear and you passed your test. (1Peter 2:19) For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. (20) For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. (21) For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

The error of husbands who are in submission to the wife



In today’s society it’s very common for husbands to give up their headship of the family. Husbands either share it with the wife as a “co-equal” partner or the husband will completely give up their headship and are in outright submission to their wife. This is not only wrong but men are dishonoring their head who is Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 11:4) Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head… (7) For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. Yes, man is the image and glory of God while the woman is the glory of man. (8) For man is not from woman, but woman from man. (9) Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. If we read this entire chapter we would see that the head covering or veil was a sign of submission and the covering while praying or prophesying was a sign to the angels that she was under the authority of her husband. If we as husbands cover our head (letting our wife rule either with us or over us) then the Bible says that we are dishonoring Jesus Christ. I believe when Paul says “Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head” is not only speaking only of a physical head covering but also a spiritual covering of the wife who has taken authority over the man. It's a woman who rules the house while the husband passively sits back and lets it happen.

I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing--if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control (1 Timothy 2:11-15). Men I would encourage you to get into your Bible and understand your spiritual role in the family. By you allowing your wife to exercise authority over you, you’re dishonoring Christ and you’re enabling your wife to blaspheme the Word of God. Your role is not to be submissive to your wife; your role is to be that spiritual leader to your family. Your role is to be a man who your wife can respect, a wife you can love and honor as a weaker vessel

(1 Peter 3:7).

If you remember the story of King Ahab in First Kings, you’ll remember what an abomination King Ahab was to God. He let his wife Jezebel rule over him and kill God’s prophets. Women who like to rule over men are said to have a “Jezebel spirit.” In King Ahab’s situation, it was Jezebel who was the spiritual leader (false Baal worship); it was her that took the leading role. Jezebel used Ahab’s emotional weakness to endear herself to him, it was this woman that drove her husband to do what she wanted him to do, and she was “ruling the roost” in every aspect. Is that a picture of your marriage; hopefully not?
Listening to his wife is the reason God says He punished Adam. (Genesis 3:17) Then to Adam He said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat from it'; Cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you will eat of it all the days of your life… Yes, Adam was punished because he did two things; he listened to his wife which in turn lead to the eating of the forbidden fruit. “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree.” That was Adam’s punishment while this was Eve’s. (Genesis 3:16) To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” From the mouth of God Almighty He said “Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” Husbands, are you giving up what God commanded of you? Satan wants nothing more than a passive husband whom he can control through his Jezebel wife. Satan knows that a husband who has given up his authority to the wife can never have authority over him!

Did you know that man and all the living creatures were created from the dust of the earth, with the exception of the woman? “Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air…(Genesis 2:19). She was the only creature not made from the dust because she was made from man. The woman was the only creature not made from the dust because she was made from man. (Genesis 2:20) But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. (21) And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. (22) Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. (23) And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” Husbands, your wife is your helper and was created in the image of man. Scripture says that Jesus was the exact image of the Father; man was made in His image while the women was made in the image of the man. “For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man is not from woman, but woman from man.” Even before Eve was deceived in the garden the women was created to be the helper for the man and not the man for the woman. Husbands, I hope you are seeing the natural order that God has instituted. The world may say one thing as to how a marriage should be, but the Bible clearly teaches another. Husbands, women really do want a strong man to lead them, so I encourage you men, to step up and do as God created you to do and that is lead.

The prophet Isaiah prophesied of a time when women would rule over the men and this was not a good thing for God’s people. (Isaiah 3:12) As for My people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths.” Isaiah speaks of a curse one day when the women would rule over His people. Clearly we are living in this time today.



In church leadership, you cannot even consider leading God’s people unless you know how to rule your own household. Scripture says that church overseers must be “one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?) (1 Timothy 3:4,5). Husbands must be able to rule their own house before they take care of the church. If they have children or a spouse who cannot obey him or be in submission, how can he oversee God’s people?


Women, just as God the Father is the head of Jesus Christ, man is the head of the wife. Jesus never once thought He could be the head over God, he knew the Father was His head. (John 14:28) If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. Neither did Jesus think He was equal to the Father who was His Head. (Philippians 2:5) Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6) who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; (8) and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.

Just as Jesus never tried to take authority over His Father, neither should the wife usurp authority over her head which is the husband. (1 Timothy 2:11-15) Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing--if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. Adam was formed first, then Eve was formed from the man and then deceived when she ate of the forbidden fruit. (Gen 3:16) To the woman He said, "I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you." This is for all women up until this very day. God is true to His word and if women insist on ruling over their husbands they are in disobedience to His Word. Wives if this is speaking to you, then simply repent and obey what God commands of you and you’ll “be saved through childbearing--if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.”

The Bible commands women to respect their husbands and the husbands to love their wives. As long as the wife is showing a true heart filled respect for her husband, the fruit of that respect will produce love from the husband’s heart. The mere act of obedience on the wives part would be noticed by the husband and would cause a love to grow out of the husband’s heart that would truly be the love of Christ. Two hearts working for the Lord as one! Because of this love in the husband’s heat, you would find no self will and no selfish ambition. You would find a husband who wants to serve and please God first and then his helpmate, then his children and his needs last. This husband would not feel he is superior to, nor “lord” over the wife. (Mark 9:35) And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Instead the husband would understand that he is to be that Christ-like servant. This is the Bible verse both husband and wife would live by. (1 Cor 16:14) Let all that ye do be done in love.

As we close this study on submission, I hope this has been a blessing to you and has helped you understand that submission is not such a scary word after all. It is required for all who call themselves Christians, from children to wives to husbands and even to Christ Jesus Himself. So be blessed everyone and remember in your journey of total submission to “Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14,15).

God bless,

Mark, a servant of the Lord, www.HeavensHelpers.org

Questions/Feedback - email me: mark@heavenshelpers.org