Submission – Why It’s Not a Bad Word Part 1: Submission to God

Submit. Why does this word have such a bad reputation in the Christian faith? Women think it’s a sign of weakness to submit to their husbands, and believers (as well as non-believers) find it challenging to surrender their life to the one who created them in the first place.

How did submission get such a bad rap? In my opinion, the fallen world we live in and the evil one who rules it has convinced us that we know better than God the creator. Therefore, we try to live under our own rule and reign. We feel that if we submit, we have no control over our decisions and life. But, in actuality, you are giving the power back to the one who already has it.

This is a two-part series on biblical submission and what it means according to the Bible.

Let’s first talk about submitting to God.

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 NKJV

The Enduring Word Commentary explains this scripture: “This means to order yourself under God, to surrender to Him as a conquering King, and start receiving the benefits of His reign.”

Think about when you start a new job. You begin receiving benefits from your employer after 90 days of employment. This time is a probationary period that you have to submit to in order to receive your benefits. Therefore, you must come to work on time, not miss any days, and perform well in your daily duties. Only then will you be able to receive the benefits from your employer.

According to this explanation, the same is true with God. You will gain the benefits of His reign once you submit to His way.

Your employer is not a conquering King. They did not breathe the breath of life into your lungs. They did not speak the world into existence.

If we can submit to the power and authority of an employer, how can we not submit to the power and authority of God, who rules and reigns over all? If we think about it, we submit to things of this world every day but find it hard to submit to God.

Please think of how that must make our Father feel. Watching his children give their lives to others and material things that cannot provide for them or give them the fruitful life they truly deserve.

The problem is we think we are the rulers of our life. We think we know better than God. Therefore, we believe we should have complete control. Ask yourself the below questions that God asked Job in chapter 38 of his book if you think you understand the fullness of your life.  

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.

Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?

To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Or who shut in the sea with doors, when it burst forth and issued from the womb; When I made the clouds its garment, And thick darkness its swaddling band;

When I fixed My limit for it, and set bars and doors;

When I said, This far you may come, but no farther, And here your proud waves must stop!

Have you commanded the morning since your days began, And caused the dawn to know its place” Job 38:4-12 NKJV

God was flexing in these verses. He was telling Job to answer these questions if you think you know better than me. We have no understanding of the complexities of God. We do not come near to knowing what is best for our lives.

It takes humility to admit you have no clue how to navigate your life. However, when you decided to give your life to Christ, you gave up your life for the life He has for you.

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 NKJV

The life we live in the flesh is to be lived by faith through the submission of Christ. Therefore, to truly live your best life, live it in complete submission.  

Yours Truly Moe