“Wives, submit to your husbands…” Ladies, how do you feel about this command? If you’re like us, it may throw you off, or even make you feel a little defiant.

We approach life differently than men, but we’re still equal—which is probably why we tend to bristle when we read or hear this verse in Ephesians 5. The problem is this that “submitting to your husband” is often misinterpreted as “obey your husband without question,” both by our current society and not-so-well-meaning individuals past and present.

In this podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender share the context around this Bible verse and the real meaning of the word “submit.” You’ll also learn how to shed the negative connotation around the word with practical ways to honor the command in your own marriage—in a way that also honors you.

Quote of the episode:

“Submission is not like the obedience of a child. To our shame, some men think of their wives as a sort of first child who should obey them. That’s not what the Bible teaches. A wife’s submission is voluntary to a man who loves her. Rather than submit, the better word is she should respond to her husband.”—J. Vernon McGhee

Resources

*If you’re a victim of verbal or emotional abuse, please visit this page for support.

Mentioned

• Read more from J. Vernon McGhee here


• Listen to Julie recount her experience and lessons from her first marriage: “Julie Graham’s Untold Story of Heartbreak, Healing and Hope – 101″


• Read Abigail’s story here


• Grab your copy of Julie’s book, When Marriage Is Hard, here

Related

• Check out the Smart Living book series here!


• “If Your Nagging Makes You Tired Too – 254”

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