I believe God graciously seeded in all His daughters a special capacity to submit. He crafted this within us because we were created to be our husband’s helper, and He knew we would need all the help to fulfill that role.
How did I arrive at this conclusion? Through revelation—and my own life’s experience.
Of course we know that even if the gift has been delivered, the desire to unpack and employ it is another story. And that’s where the rubber hits (or doesn’t hit) the road.
A quick backstory before I continue—so that you don’t dismiss me as some old-fashioned, doctrine-spouting grandma.
Next year, I will celebrate 40 years of marriage. My husband and I have four adult children—two men, two young women—and one adorable granddaughter.
Soon, my family’s female-to-male ratio will be 6:3, and I will always be a proud champion of my girls- that they walk in the power and authority of Jesus all the days of their lives.
But in the upside-down Kingdom we belong to, liberating power isn’t won by striving or intellectualizing.
This power is released through our obedient yielding to God’s will first- and then His grace enables us to submit—even when we disagree.
That’s why my battle cry to all the women under my influence is, “Submission is your Superpower, Sister!”
Submission is not something to denigrate or be terrified of. It is actually the means to victory, fruitfulness, and honor.
Truth be told, my personality certainly doesn’t reek of submissiveness. I have strong opinions about most things- which I’m never too coy to share.
But submission isn’t about looking docile outwardly- that would be an easy act to put on.
What really matters is “enjoying the fruit of my hands—knowing that my husband safely trusts me because I do him good, not harm all the days of my life.” It’s about seeing ”my husband and children rise up and call me blessed, acknowledging my fear of the Lord.” (Proverbs 31).
That is why God gave us the simple formula in Ephesians 5:22: “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as you do to the Lord.”
This, right here, is the linchpin of a strong, successful and God-honoring family.
Why Do Modern Women Struggle With Submission?
Several reasons—tainted theology, financial independence, unhealed trauma, and unhealthy soul ties to name a few.
Add to that mix the spirit of Divorce and Christian Feminism which insidiously infiltrated the church and blindsided us.
And soon the trend to rationalize Scripture according to our carnal or even “spiritual” desires set in, leading to a crumbling of relationships and stunting healthy growth in the Body of Christ.
Young women now insist on “my right, my call, my way,” before dropping the fatal clincher, “God told me.” This rebellious attitude causes much jubilation in the second heavens, and much grieving in the third.
Oh, dear sisters and daughters, do not be unaware of the enemy’s schemes.
Do not entertain the lie that submission is applicable only for the illiterate and codependent women of another era.
And do not believe the falsehood that submitting to your husband makes you less equal in God’s sight.
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise… do not be unwise but understand what the will of the Lord is.. and be filled with the Spirit, submitting to one another in the fear of God.” – Ephesians 5:15-21
A Spirit-filled believer understands and obeys God’s will. A Spirit-filled couple submit to one another in the fear of God. And if there’s still no agreement? Then Paul has already revealed the solution.
Wives, submit—because your husband will be held accountable for your family’s leadership, but you will be held accountable for how well you helped him lead.
Submission and Spiritual Warfare
As I re-read Ephesians 5 and 6, something struck me: Paul’s instructions to put on God’s armor only came after his directives on godly submission in the home.
God’s Kingdom is supposed to be an operational army. But what chance of victory would there be without proper ranking in the platoon?
•Slaves, obey your masters.
•Children, obey your parents.
•Wives, submit to your husbands.
•Husbands, submit to Christ.
Though we are all soldiers in the Lord’s Army, there are different ranks which carry greater responsibility and authority. Imagine the chaos in an insubordinate unit that refuses to obey rank!
What would be the point of putting on the armor of God when our basic relationships are out of order? The gaps formed by our lack of submission would leave large holes for the enemy to decimate us- which he has already been successfully doing.
The Mission of Marriage
A Christian marriage’s mission is to glorify God through obedience and fruitfulness. This succeeds when a wife puts herself under that mission—sub-mission.
A wife does not submit to her husband because he is superior; she puts herself under (submits to) God and His mission for her marriage, family, and life.
And God always honors that obedience. He blesses every sacrifice—abundantly and supremely.
Since submission is such a powerful spiritual weapon, God will sometimes test us to keep it sharp by allowing difficult challenges to overwhelm us.
Then the desire to give up will pound on our soul. Anger at unfairness will make us explode. Disrespectful thoughts towards our husbands will translate into words.
But, when we are committed to stay submitted, and we daily practice repentance and forgiveness, then the devil has no entry point to steal, kill, or destroy.
And in time, whatever we think we have lost is returned to us in full measure—plus some.
God is never any woman’s debtor.
I should know. I’ve been in the trenches. I’ve fought the battles, submitted with gritted teeth, been wounded and healed, experienced miracles, rejoiced in breakthroughs, loved my husband more, loved God even more, and learned to overcome.
Fight for the mission.
Submission really is our superpower.
