Wisdom From Heaven #6 - SUBMISSIVE

Wisdom From Heaven #6 - SUBMISSIVE

This is the sixth post in the series called "Wisdom from Heaven".  In this series we will be studying James chapter 3, which details how to put heavenly wisdom into practice in our everyday lives.

Today we are focusing on SUBMISSIVE heavenly wisdom.

Let's begin by defining:

submissive - ready to conform to the authority or will of others;  meekly obedient or passive.  Compliant, yielding, malleable, accommodating, obedient, dutiful, manageable.

Today's subject is going to be controversial because of the horrible way that the world has twisted the true meaning of the word "submit" or "being submissive."  

 

 

There are three main types of submission and also a priority:

1.  Submit to God's authority

2.  Submit to our family's authority (Parents/Spouse)

3.  Submit to Ruler's authority

The world views being submissive as having to give up all freedom and safety.  However, submitting to God is the exact opposite - God protects us and gives us eternal life.  Submission to God will NEVER lead to abuse, terror or despair.

"Because God has said,

'Never will I leave you;

never will I forsake you.' "

Hebrews 13:5

In the Scripture passage below, you will notice the different types of submission required from a wife versus a husband.  The wife submits to her husband like the church submits to Christ, and the husband loves and protects his wife to the point of "giving himself up for her".  These are different roles and different types of submission but both the wife and husband are of equal value to God.

Notice the clarification in the second Bible verse below - the underlined part "as is fitting in the Lord."  A wife should never submit herself to be physically, mentally or emotionally abused by her husband - that is NOT "fitting in the Lord".

"Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."

Ephesians 5:24-25

"Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord."

Colossians 3:18

Finally, submitting to the rulers in authority (read Bible verse below).  Here again there is a clarification - "be ready to do whatever is good."  Remember when Jesus overturned the tables of the merchants who were selling in the Temple? (Matthew 21:12 & 13).  That's why there is a priority to our submission.  God first.  Government/rulers are third in priority.  (click HERE to read: "What Happens When Those in Authority Ask You To Go Against God's Law?")

"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good"

Titus 3:1

Being submissive to God is the safest and only way to live.  He has plans to prosper us and not to harm us - we must trust and obey God every second of everyday.

Wisdom from Heaven posts:

#1 Wise Understanding

#2 Unspiritual Earthly Wisdom

#3 PURE

#4 PEACE LOVING 

#5 CONSIDERATE

#6 SUBMISSIVE

#7 FULL OF MERCY 

#8 Full of GOOD FRUIT

#9 IMPARTIAL

#10 SINCERE

Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer



Linked to:

_____________________________________________________________________

Take Up The THANKFULNESS Challenge!

I challenge you to thank God for something everyday for one year!  Either write it down in a diary OR share with us on a blog.  If you have a blog & would like to share your THANKFULNESS posts with us, then please fill out this form: 365 Days of Being THANKFUL form - click HERE and you will be added to the THANKFULNESS page.