Interior Design has been a great study! If you have noticed, I change some of the titles of the chapters a bit to let you know what we are really being taught. This weeks chapter is titled "Disposition" but it's mostly about submission. The word "submission" would probably turn too many women off, unfortunately, since many think of abuse and evil connected with this word. However, this word is in the Bible to describe Christ's relationship to the Father; a wife's relationship to her husband; children's relationship to their parents; citizens relationship to their government and a few more. It is a good word and it shows how God designed order in all of these relationships so there are designated leaders and followers.
This book defines submission as having a responsive, lead-able spirit that is willing to be obedient to God-ordained authority whether you are married or not; it's about having an amenable, lead-able disposition that desires to honor God's authority by respecting His human authority.* It isn't stubbornly wanting your way, demanding you are right and being rebellious to authority. It is having a gentle and quiet spirit who understands that the Lord of all creation knows better than you do and you put your trust and hope in Him.
Wives can win their husbands to the Lord through submission. They can win family members and friend who watch their marriage to the Lord, including their children. It is a powerful force that God uses in the life of wives to convict and change those around them, not to harm them in any way. It is a good word that we should all aspire to develop in our lives since God commands it of us and we love Him so deeply; not wanting to do anything that blasphemes His Holy Name.
Wives can win their husbands to the Lord through submission. They can win family members and friend who watch their marriage to the Lord, including their children. It is a powerful force that God uses in the life of wives to convict and change those around them, not to harm them in any way. It is a good word that we should all aspire to develop in our lives since God commands it of us and we love Him so deeply; not wanting to do anything that blasphemes His Holy Name.
I love what Nancy Leigh DeMoss has to say about the popular term 'mutual submission.' "The term mutual submission is popular in Christian circles, but 'submitting to one another' doesn't mean that both parties in a chain of command are to submit to each other. It means we're to have a respectful disposition that inclines us to submit in all the relationships that call for submission. In some relationships you may have the responsibility to govern and in others the responsibility to submit."*
Being the one in authority isn't the easiest role as many falsely assume. It is actually the more difficult role since they are going to be held to a much higher standard than those who submit. Those in submission have to trust that the Lord will guide those in authority to make the right decisions and if they make the wrong decisions, the Lord will convict and change their minds.
Therefore, women, remember that when you are submissive, either to your parents when you are young; your teachers as you are growing up; your employers if you have a job and your husband when you are married, you glorify the Lord! We are commanded to glorify the Lord in ALL that we do, thus when we have a gentle, quiet and submissive spirit, we are pleasing the Lord and bringing glory to Him.
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
Ephesians 5:22-24
Watch the accompanying video on Disposition HERE.
*True Woman 201: Interior Design—Ten Elements of Biblical Womanhood, ©2015 by Mary A. Kassian and Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Used with permission of Moody Publishers. You can buy the book HERE.
Being the one in authority isn't the easiest role as many falsely assume. It is actually the more difficult role since they are going to be held to a much higher standard than those who submit. Those in submission have to trust that the Lord will guide those in authority to make the right decisions and if they make the wrong decisions, the Lord will convict and change their minds.
Therefore, women, remember that when you are submissive, either to your parents when you are young; your teachers as you are growing up; your employers if you have a job and your husband when you are married, you glorify the Lord! We are commanded to glorify the Lord in ALL that we do, thus when we have a gentle, quiet and submissive spirit, we are pleasing the Lord and bringing glory to Him.
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
Ephesians 5:22-24
Watch the accompanying video on Disposition HERE.
*True Woman 201: Interior Design—Ten Elements of Biblical Womanhood, ©2015 by Mary A. Kassian and Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Used with permission of Moody Publishers. You can buy the book HERE.
Logging you in...
Andrea · 491 weeks ago
That worldly slant seeks to reduce the importance of the "Who" and "What" we serve and the "Why". We can trust God's way is perfect!
Lori Alexander 122p · 491 weeks ago
Avis · 491 weeks ago
Rob · 491 weeks ago
I don't mean that in a controlling way; it's just easier to conform to her ways instead of stepping up and being a solid strong leader like I was suppose to be.
My wife had I believe zero respect for me when I was like this and yet I thought I was being a good husband by giving into everything she wanted and accepting the disrespect because I didn't want to fight.
This blog today really hits home for me because there needs to be mutual respect for both husband and wife in a Christian marriage for it to be successful. Being a strong christian husband and father may not be the the popular thing even in churches because it takes us out of our comfort zone.
A wife's submission takes her out of her comfort zone and I assume makes her feel vulnerable; that is why mutual respect from the husband to wife and wife to husband is essential.
Most churches I assume because mine sure doesn't teach leadership and submission. It may briefly touch upon but not preached about so we can understand truth.
So what I wonder is----when wives refuse to be submissive. Is it because wives don't trust their husbands to lead or they don't trust themselves to follow?? Again if there is that mutual respect for each other then things look clearer meaning yes my wife knows I am imperfect and I will not always be at my best and if I remember she is imperfect and will struggle--then we don't need to dwell on our struggles; we need to praise our strengths and remember when we are following Christ... he can help us by making sure we have our priorities in line.
And our number one priority is to be pleasing him!!!!!!
Lori Alexander 122p · 491 weeks ago
Ken · 491 weeks ago
Think of how God must think about our unsubmissiveness at times. He can't be more loving, kind, generous and giving to us, yet we still want to be in control of some parts of our lives.
Surrender to leadership is certainly a trust issue, but it also can be just a desire to be one's one god and control one's own destiny, no matter how loving a husband may be or God may be.to us. God sees it as rebellion... that they knew God, yet chose to reject him. A wife can know it is right to follow her husband and still reject his leadership. It is the nature of the fall to want to control our own lives, and it is Christ living in us that allows us to give up control and submit to Him, and in turn to those who have authority over us.
HappyHomemaker · 491 weeks ago
Lori Alexander 122p · 491 weeks ago
Anonymous · 491 weeks ago
We regularly meet with another large family and while I have observed both husband and wife and listened to their conversation to us and each other. It became obvious VERY quickly that this wife does not submit or respect her husband. She has a distorted view of submission, and because of her dominance he stays silent. And this has gone on for a number of years, which has literally driven her mad. He is a good man and quite reasonable. And she misses the ways in which he shows he loves her. It has certainly made me check myself and praise God I know better than I did before. I just hope that I can help her. I made me realize how important it is to walk the walk and follow God's design for marriage. This wife said she thinks she is submissive and then said defensively that she doesn't want to be under ANYONE'S LEADERSHIP! When we asked her husband if he thinks she submits he was hesitant to answer. But you could tell he thought it was a stupid question and that he thought she has no idea what damage she is doing. She has read created to be his helpmeet but said she found it offensive. And so refuses to read it again.
Blessings to you, Lori.
Ken · 491 weeks ago
One has to want to change in order to change, one has to be open to awareness to gain awareness, and one must change their thinking in order to get off the path to destruction their life is leaving onto a path of success and reward. Think right, do right and then one can be right with God and with others.
Rob · 491 weeks ago
We all know the truth the problem its easier to live in a watered down society because its justified in society and some churches.
Lets not make excuses and live with a purpose and that purpose is to live biblically, not a hyprocrite
Lori this a good attention getting blog today, even for husbands even though i know you teach women. I hope i wasnt overstepping by commenting on this today
Lori Alexander 122p · 491 weeks ago
Roxy · 491 weeks ago
I am going to buy this book and have a look at it! I love and enjoy Nancy Leigh Demoss.
Thanks! Roxy
Lori Alexander 122p · 491 weeks ago