The Blessing of Submission
Submission is defined as the act of submitting to authority, the act of submitting something for review, or a legal agreement. For some of us submission is a challenge especially when we have strong personalities, we’ve experienced abuse, trauma, neglect, or perhaps we didn’t have a healthy upbringing or a stable home environment. These types of circumstances can cause us to become challenged when faced with submission.
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Ephesians 5:21
1. Personality Determines Behavior
How God wired us and our personality is important when faced with submission; our personality will determine how we react. Typically, our weaknesses will be triggered, and if we are naturally driven, we will be challenged when submitting. God has given us the gift of leadership, therefore, we will have to learn submission otherwise we can’t lead anybody. We can’t be a good leader unless we are first a good follower.
2. Principle of Submission
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
John Maxwell, a leadership master, says there is a 60-day window when placing a new leader where people will listen simply because they have been placed over them. Eventually the leader must earn the respect of those they are leading. Leadership should never be used as a tool for abuse. When we come under submission under a leader, especially in a church ministry, or even under the leadership of a husband, we must walk in honor, respect, and love giving reverence to our Lord. Walking in love is the best way to lead especially when you are dealing with personalities that are challenged when submitting. Love never fails!
3. Downfall of Not Submitting
An independent spirit is not trusted by God. We will always have to submit to somebody: at work, at home, a spouse, the law, a church ministry. Of course, we are first submitted/obedient to God that is a given. However, God is all about order and has set biblical principles that all begin with submission. We all need boundaries, we need wise counsel, we need discipleship, we need direction, we need correction, and we need each other.
4. Submission Has Purpose
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;
Isaiah 1:19
Submission to God’s way will create a flow of unity. We develop in walking and growing in love all by faith. Love brings patience and kindness. It steers us forward on our faith journey, propelling us into our promised land. Love is God’s way.
FINAL THOUGHTS
God has given us the gift of leadership, therefore, we will have to learn submission otherwise we can’t lead anybody. We can’t be a good leader unless we are first a good follower.
When we come under submission under a leader, especially in a church ministry, or even under the leadership of a husband, we must walk in honor, respect, and love giving reverence to our Lord.
People who rebel against submission, people who sail their own ship without a crew, will end up in trouble roaming aimlessly especially when the storm comes in.
