Recently in conversation the topic of a women’s role and man’s role in a Christian household has come up several times. Men and women understandably have very different views on this topic. After years of media and society undermining mans role, Christian men are taking a stance. While I whole-heartedly support my Christian Brethren I have witnessed in some cases it is being taken to the opposite extreme instead of seeking balance causing feelings of oppression and rebellion.
I recognize my husband as my covering and absolutely love this. I love when he steps up to make godly decisions for our family. The struggle comes when women begin feeling oppressed by this assertion and begin to become resentful of their husbands authority and in some cases rebel against it. Oppression almost always breeds rebellion. Wives must recognize that feeling of oppression and guard themselves against it. Now as I mentioned above, I am not saying that some of these feelings are not entirely unwarranted. Just as women should to recognize that their husband is their spiritual covering, men should recognize that this authority comes with great responsibility. Men need to recognize that their wife needs to feel secure under their covering. Their covering over us is only as good as their willingness to follow Christ. For example….if you are holding an umbrella for your wife, but you have holes in your umbrella (caused by allowing corrosive materials under that covering) ….you BOTH are going to get wet.
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11)
As we strive to mature spiritually we as women can sometimes feel oppressed when we rightly or wrongly view our husbands as not striving on the same level or succumbing to sin. Scripture states that we are to win our husbands over with our submission. Their conviction comes in your submission. Our job as their “ezer kenegdo*” is to continue to bless them and pray for them and to work alongside of them. We should NOT challenge them and their role in our lives.
“In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands, so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of the wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior” (1 Peter 3:1-2).
We are equal partners in this struggle with equally important roles. My prayer is that we learn to accept what each of us brings to the table and that we allow the beauty of God’s plan for marriage to emanate from our lives. Through our willingness to submit to God and one another, we show the world God’s true glory!
[Instructions for Christian Households] “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21)
* “It is not good for the man to be alone, I shall make him [an ezer kenegdo]” (Gen. 2:18 Alter).
The Hebrew word ezer meaning "to rescue, to save," "to be strong.". The Hebrew word kenegdo meaning “corresponding to”, “counterpart to”, “equal to”, “matching”.
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