Congratulations! You’ve made it to week 6 of our study, Putting On a Gentle & Quiet Spirit by Elizabeth George. We will continue looking at submission this week – yippee!
Begin by Praying (Ask God to open your heart and mind so you can understand His Word)
Lord, The area of submission is difficult. It means I must turn over the reigns of my life and let You be in control. That sounds simple, but it’s really frightening sometimes. Help me understand this all important truth today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Now Read … 1 Peter 3:1-7, Genesis 12:10-20, Genesis 20:1-7
Listen (Receive some thoughts and further insights about the lessons studied)
“Be subject” or submit means to come up under. The Greek rendering of this phrase is hypotassō, which means to arrange under, to submit to one’s control, to yield to one’s admonition or advice, to obey.
I know this can be a somewhat dreaded, misunderstood, and to some even frustrating passage of Scripture. However, we need to remember who we are ultimately submitting to – the Lord!
When I think about placing my feelings, desires, and pride up under the authority of my husband, I am often less than excited! 🙂 But I have to remember that the established order (husbands over wives) is from the authority of God, the wisdom of God, and the omniscient character of God. Note that “being subject to” does not mean that you can’t give your husband facts, opinions, and suggestions. It means that you give those things, in a right way (pure heart, loving tone of voice, free from sarcasm), and then acquiesce or defer to him for the final say, remembering that God is in authority and can be trusted.
Did you read the passages about Abram and Sarai in Genesis and from 1 Peter 3:5-6? Many times the emotions of pride, anger, or fear hinder us from submitting. I can only imagine the emotions Sarai must have been having in Eygpt and during the issue with Abimelech. But as far as we know from scripture, she did not let her emotions stop her from obeying her husband’s wishes. She did not “give way to fear.” (1 Peter 3:6) God protected both she and Abram (Both times!). Is it possible for us to display the same trust in God when we are less than willing to come up under our husband’s authority or have reservations about the decision being made? It is with God’s help! (Matthew 19:26)
What happens when you do this? 1 Peter 3:1-2 says this type of silent conduct will speak volumes to your husband and will “win him over.”
1 Peter 3:4 gives further instruction about our gentle and quiet spirit. Read this week’s WOW Weekly Moment for more insight on these verses. I’ll just say here that when we display a gentle and quiet spirit, we bring delight to God!
I love the quote from Dr. Charles Swindoll on page 84 of Putting On a Gentle & Quiet Spirit. He says …
Yes, submission is a mark of security. It is not a spineless cringing based on insecurity and fear. It is a voluntary unselfishness, a willing and cooperative spirit that seeks the highest good of her husband …
Respond (Apply spiritual truth to your life) Don’t forget to post your comments below!!
- Do your negative responses to your husband’s leading come from a spirit of pride, anger, or fear? If so, identify the cause and seek God’s help in restoring that area in your life.
- What is your greatest challenge when it comes to submitting to your husband? Anyone?
- From Elizabeth George (p. 83): What difference would practicing God’s principle of submission make in a wife’s relationship with her husband?
Pray and thank God for revealing Truth to you. Ask Jesus to help these deep truths sink into your heart and mind.
