Submission

Biblical submission is often confused with forcing someone into a place of obedience or compliance. We assume that when someone is submissive they are not given a choice. Let’s take a look at both of these words and their meanings so that we can see the difference between these two words, obedience and submission. Both words are closely related, but different enough that it merits us examining them more closely. Obedience comes from the Greek word “hupakouo” meaning to line up under. This word is applied in scripture to children, slaves, soldiers and servants. This word implies a moral obligation, duty or command. Obedience is something we have to do, something we are commanded to do. In contrast, submission is something we should want to do. Let me explain why. The word submission comes from the Greek word “hupotasso” which means to line up under as well, but instead of lining up out of duty, it means to line up out of a devotional loyalty. This now shows that we have a choice to line up. It is our devotion to someone that is causing us to line up under that person rather than the fact that we are being commanded to do so. Submission requires a voluntary yielding. This is not to say that those previously mentioned (children, slaves, soldiers and servants) are not to be submissive, but merely be obedient. On the contrary, the Lord desires that we be submissive first then out of this place of love and respect we move in obedience.

Christ does not force us into following him. He does not beat us into a place of “submission.” That is not at all what submission is. Christ lovingly, kindly, and patiently waits for us to come to Him. He waits for our hearts to be ready to submit to what He has for us. The very core of Biblical submission is us being willing to make a loving, decision to follow the lead of another person, not because anyone is forcefully causing us to do so, but because out of love and respect we trust that person to make good decisions. Submission is also a two way street.True submission relies on the one choosing to follow as well as the one leading. They both need to be willing to love and respect the heart of the other person in order for Biblical submission to work, and to work well.

Scriptures
Since we now know what Biblical submission is and is not, let's take a look at some scriptures.

“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church.” Ephesians 4:22-23

In other words, we wives should lovingly, willingly and respectfully follow the lead of our husband just as we would follow the lead of the Lord. We do not, or at least we should not spend our time with the Lord nagging Him, criticizing Him and comparing Him to other “gods.” So what is it that makes us think it is an okay thing to do with our husband? Not one of these three things is anyway shape or form shows submission. In fact these things are showing that we do not love, care about, respect or even like our husband. It is our responsibility as wives to be aware that our loving and willing submission goes a long way to encourage our husband and in building up his faith. If our husband is not saved then we are to simply continue to submit to the Lord and in doing so we will be able to show Christ to him.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

This verse is actually sharing a two step antidote for being able to send the devil packing. First, submit, second resist. When these two things are done with the right attitude and in the right order, then the devil has no choice but to leave. Satan does not have a choice, he must obey!

First, we must submit to is the Lord. If we approach submission to the Lord with a begrudging attitude, out of obligation rather than out of love we are going to miss out on some very precious things in the kingdom and quite possibly miss the part about the devil fleeing. The devil is permitted to stay anywhere that an unsubmitted spirit is welcomed, no matter how hard we think we are resisting.

Submitting to leaders

“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.” Hebrews 13:17

God will place leaders very strategically in our lives for specific reasons. Sometimes it can be blatantly obvious as to why our leaders have been placed there and other times we have to spend some time being patient with the Lord and His timing of things for those reasons to be revealed. Please bear in mind God does not make mistakes in those He has placed in leadership positions over us. If we find ourselves in a position where we don’t understand God’s reasons, than we need to spend more time praying for the Lord to reveal them to us. This verse is very clear that those whom God has placed as our leaders are responsible for the watching of our souls. So our submission, the fact that we are voluntarily yielding to their leading allows them to lead more effectively. It's our stubbornness and unwillingness to remain teachable that makes their job as a leader difficult if not impossible. Our hearts must be willing to yield before they can lead.

I feel as though this is where people want to sometimes get bent out of shape on the submission subject, because what do you do with a leader that wants to lead with a strong authority and not from a place of relationship? If we are doing what scripture tells us to do, pray for those in authority over us (1 Timothy 2:1-2), then we have already placed our leaders in the hands of the Lord. Not only is it our responsibility to place our leaders in the hands of the Lord, but it is our responsibility to leave them there and let the Lord deal with their hearts. Look at how many leaders in scripture were wrong, yet those under them chose to submit to the Lord’s authority. (Daniel with King Darius - Daniel 6, David with King Saul - 1 Samuel 19, Moses with Pharaoh - Exodus Chapters 7-12) In each one of theses examples those under the unjust authority were shown what to do and how to handle their individual situation according to what the Lord desired. It is not our responsibility to change the hearts and minds of leaders. It is our responsibility to stay faithful to what God has taught us about the biblical definition of submission and stay in a place that God can work in our own heart. The Lord has a way of revealing to our hearts what it is He wants us to do and say in light of the challenges we face.

Trust that the Lord is going to give you a clear understanding of biblical submission and how you can apply it to your life. Submission is truly a beautiful thing if it is functioning in the manner in which the Lord intended. It can be a vulnerable place, because as we submit to others in the faith we are saying I love you, I trust you and I believe you are going to protect my heart. On the same token their heart should also say I love you, I trust you, and I will be careful to guard your heart with all diligence. Submission really is giving someone permission to protect and guard your heart.  

Lord, I thank you for your word. I thank you that you desire for us to operate in submission not because someone is forcing us to do so, but because we desire to do so. Help us to understand how you desire this principle of submission to work in our lives. Help us to have a positive outlook on the area of submission rather than a negative one.

To read more on submission visit “A Mother’s Commission.”