Friday, October 26, 2007

Headships

I just wanted to quickly cover a portion of my last post. Not that there's been a huge public outcry over what I wrote or anything, but I want to show that what we believe comes right from the word of God. And one more thing before I get started. I am not a dictator in the house. I do like order in the house, but that's just because my wife has spoiled me with keeping an orderly house. For the most part, I'm not too demanding. The reason I point this out is because I don't want people to think that I am extremely tyrannical, constantly shoving down my wifes throat that she must submit to me because thus saith the Lord!! Most of the scripture I'll run through is directed to the wives. I really have no business reading that portion of scripture. This is a subject for my wife to deal with. I have my own hurdles, like loving my wife (not that it's hard to love my wife; she really makes it very easy) and keeping her spotless and without wrinkle.
First of all, the headships are covered pretty unquestionably. Ephesians 5:23 says:
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. We know without a doubt that Christ is the head of the church. For Paul (through inspiration of God) to compare the husband/wife relationship to that of Christ and church, it must be merited. I Corinthians 11:3 states: But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Enough said about headship? These verses are pretty straight-forward.
Most of the arguments against this that we hear go something like this: "I believe that a woman should always obey the Bible and not man." Okay, lets see what the Bible says about wives obeying your husbands. Ephesians 5:22 says: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Most women try to make this verse say something that it doesn't. They get hung up on the "as unto the Lord" part, as if trying to make it say that you submit to the Lord as opposed to your husband. It clearly states that you are to submit unto your husband, just like you would submit unto the Lord. And men, see who this is directed to? And what's it say? Women, submit yourselves unto your own husband. Not "Husbands, see that your wives submit unto you." This is an issue for the wives to work out. Typically, she doesn't need your help, and certainly doesn't need to be reminded of this. Also women, see how it says to submit unto your own husbands? Not someone else's husband, including the pastor/preacher/minister. Titus 2:4-5 says that the aged women are to: ...teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Hmm... this says that if your not obedient to your own husband, the word of God is blasphemed.That sounds pretty serious. How do these things get swept under the rug. This is a serious accusation. If a woman is not obedient to their husbands, they are blaspheming the word of God. Definition of blaspheme, in case you're wondering: defame, rail on, revile, speak evil. Who wants to be accused of that? But that certainly is referring to a Christian husband. Most women wouldn't have a problem subjecting to a Christian husband. Women can't be expected to be obedient to a non-saved, non-spiritual husband can she? Let's look at the Ephesians passage all put together. Ephesians 5:22-24 states: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Once again, a comparison of how the church is subject to Christ. It also says that a wife is to be subject to her husband in every thing. Everything means every thing, doesn't it? Except in spiritual matters, right? Well lets look at another passage. So far, we've just heard Paul's opinion...and he wasn't even married. Peter wrote in 1 Peter 3:1-2 that: Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Peter says, to the wives, that if there are any unbelieving husbands, wives should be in subjection [to subordinate; reflexively to obey: - be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto] to their husbands, that their conversation [behavior: - conversation] towards him might win him to the Lord. So even if your husband is not spiritual, even if he is not saved, it is very clear that the woman is supposed to be obedient, submissive, in subjection to him regardless.
Historically:
From what I've seen, and I've become pretty observant, women who come out from under the husbands authority (headship) have homes and households that leave much to be desired. A vast majority of these homes have unhappy or broken marriages and rebellious, wayward children. Conversely, I've read stories (and met) unsaved families living in complete harmony because the wives are under the headship of the husbands. The children are unsaved and unchurched, but are obedient to the parents. This proves to me that the women have a lot of control to set the mood of the family. It also goes to show that the writers of the Bible knew that God's direction not only applies to those in the Church, but is a natural order in the world also. As the devil tries to take over the world, it would make sense that he would start in the home. And as much influence as the wives/mothers have in the homes, this seems to be a prime target.
Before you say to me or to yourself that being obedient to a non-spiritual husband may effect your salvation, I'll try to get my thoughts together and post on this as well (Faith, Works and Salvation). And if you still have issue with what I wrote, take it up with God in prayer. Read through the referenced passages. God wrote it. These are His ideas. If you still have issues, let me know and I will try to clarify. Or better yet, ask your husbands! 1 Corinthians 14:35
And if they (women) will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home:



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