It’s a Beautiful Thing
During our March monthly meeting, Joanna spoke to us concerning the last portion of Titus 2:5 on young women learning to being subject to their own husbands.
aka. submission
Does that sound like a dirty word to you? Does it feel gritty between your teeth as you say it? Does it make you cringe with distaste? Do you want to hit the “x” button in the top corner of this blog to make this information disappear??
Most would say “yes”.
It’s unfortunate that our current society has placed such a negative stigma on submission.
Joanna was able to bring to light for us a fresh new perspective concerning submission. Showing us that it is a beautiful thing. It something that works(!) because it is God, Himself, Who has created such balance, purpose and place in the concept of submission.
Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.
Titus 2:3-5 (emphasis mine)
Submission is important!
It’s about you and the Lord. It’s NOT about trying to have a wonderful marriage. Be sure to examine(!) your heart and your motives when attempting to biblically submit. It is VOLUNTARY obedience to the Lord. You submit to your husband because you want to please God by obeying His command.
Tenderly Love Him!
However(!), there must be tender love and affection in a marriage before submission can even happen. Of course, submission has the ability to be carried out in the absence of tenderness, but it is terribly difficult. Strive to think tender thoughts about your husband and to be affectionate towards him. Pray and ask the Lord to help you to do this.
The “Wife Boss”
Have you seen her? The woman who “wears the pants” in a family. What kind of family dynamic does it produce? What characteristics does her husband exhibit? How do the children treat their father? Does she seem happy? Or is she a bit of a grouch? Would you even dare say she’s a tad-bit….mean?
When a wife is the boss of the family, it does not honor God and His word.
Make Him a Strong Leader
When you say “yes” to your husband, when you allow him to lead, when you give him the freedom to be the man God has created him to be, and when you compliment him on his hard work…you make him stronger! However, if you disregard him, badger him with endless petty questions, and flippantly say “no” more then you ought…you weaken him. So be his best cheerleader and encourage him to take the reins of your family…to make decisions…and do your best to trust in him and his leadership.
Your Marriage is a Window
When you submit, it is clearly evident that you love your husband! People looking at your marriage should be able to easily recognize your love. One way to do that is when they see you allowing your husband to be in charge.
A Loud Message!
The main purpose of this letter to Titus, from Paul, was to instruct Titus on how to help the newly converted Christians in Crete. Do you remember when Joanna taught us that the Cretens were liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons? These new Christians didn’t have a clue on how a biblical family should function! They needed to learn the characteristics of a Christian family. Why? So that God’s word would not be blasphemed! So they would be glaringly and positively different from their Cretan counterparts! Their family-lives were to loudly proclaim = JESUS HAS RESCUED ME FROM MYSELF AND FROM MY SIN!
What Submission Is and What it Isn’t
Submission is NOT…
- being a doormat
- slavery
- inferiority
- silence
- outdated
- being bossed around
- obedience to your husband
- a way to cheer on your husband
- being a helper
- ranking under him
- respecting his position as leader
- honoring the Lord’s word
- a contribution of your gifts & abilities
- obedience to the Lord
- relief
A Diagram Summary of Titus 2:3-5
The entire purpose of being a Titus 2 woman is NOT so that we have happy homes, loving marriages, well-behaved children, and a perfectly run home. The purpose is so that the word of God will not be dishonored as we live out our Christian lives. All those other qualities are wonderful bi-products and blessings of a God-honoring and Bible-following life.
A Pictorial Conclusion
I’m ready and waiting for the March meeting to start.
The following pictures are of Juleah and Karin acting out the current culture’s views on submission…
…and gossip.
Small groups filled with food, fellowship, and prayer.
