Dear Ladies,
Recently I was reading in Ephesians 5:22 "Wives submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord."
In the Amplified it reads: "Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as (a service) to the Lord."
The wording that caught my eye was "adapt yourselves." How am I, how have I adapted myself to my husband? How are you adapting yourself to your husband, assuming you are married? If you are single, will you consider what it takes to adapt yourself to another persons desires and wishes?
Webster defines adapt as: "to make suitable, to fit or to suit, to adjust with a synonym: conform.
John McArthur in his study Bible says: "the command is unqualified, applying to every Christian wife, no matter what her own abilities, education, knowledge of scripture, spiritual maturity, or any other qualifications might be in relation to those of her husband. The submission is not the husbands to command but for the wife to willing and lovingly offer."
Do I willingly and lovingly submit or adapt myself to my own husband? Did I make myself suitable, adjustable and conforming when we were first married and now I fight for my own rights, for what pleases me? Is this adapting, submitting an outdated concept or a truth to be honored?
Any thoughts?
Next time, we'll take a look at the wording: as a service to the Lord.
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7 comments:
This is a Truth to be honored. It is not easy but we must commit to release our desires for control.
The same words stuck out in my mind as I read the verse. "Adapt yourself" to your husband is a great challenge and one with great rewards I'm sure. He's bound to feel respected and admired! It's really neat how that respect and admiration comes back to bless us! (Not that we "adapt ourselves" to our husband for our gain. :)
. . . from Lisa's type the previous blog came . . . she used Steve's account!
Linda, this is a very timely concept for me right now as you know. Early in marriage I didn't know the word "submission" but I had a Mom who gave good adive on things to do and not do for my husband. When I became a Christian this "submission" thing came up to me very early on and it opened me up to a new way to view my relation
ship with my husband. What a joy it was and the rewards are great. This is not to say I always do it or like it but when I learned God's Word mandated it, I knew it was a must for my life. It's good to be reminded again why I lay aside my wants and desires for a time. Our love is strong and has weathered many a storm. We have a two way street and that is the best. I'd encourage any gal out there who reads your blog to try it if she hasn't. It was 26 yrs into ours marriage before I knew the concept. Thanks for this blog. It will be fun to read from time and helpful I am sure. Barb C
What thoughts would you have for someone whose husband is not a Christian? Should she become accustomed to and resign herself to his ways?
Adapting and submitting isn't an outdated concept, but it certainly is easier when the husband loves his wife the way Christ loved the church. Sacrificially.
Submitting can sometimes hurt, because selfishness and rebellion stand in the way. Learning to become conformed to the image of Christ, I believe is the real issue. Can I die to my self and take up my cross?
Adapting ourselves to our husbands shouldn't be threatening. It helps us become MORE of who we're really supposed to be, not LESS! :) It's the Lord's will for us to be shaped and personally improved by our marriages, and submission is one way for a woman to achieve that greater excellence in herself. Since God gave me my specific husband, He factored in all that my husband is, feels, thinks, and wants. It's not a threat to me, but an opportunity to explore and enjoy the enjoyable union He planned for us together when He decided to put us together as husband and wife. Joint partners in love and joy together! Makes me want to leave behind the parts of me that don't fit in well with that plan, whatever they might be. :)
Sounds a little silly to me. Why should WE submit to our husbands? Are we practicing Islam? No? Then it sounds like we should be equal partners. Don't give strong independent Christian women a bad name by completely misreading the Bible. My husband submits to me, and we both know that this is His will.
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