The Controversy About Woman

A WOMAN has a number of aspects that make up her total image. Again, I would like to emphasize that we approach our image holistically and not find our identity in a segments. However, for the sake of study, I would like to deal with a number of the aspects that make a woman.

Her Reputation
“The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold. And a man is valued by what others say of him.”
Proverbs 27:21 NKJV
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Proverbs 31:28-31 KJV

To believe that our reputation and the value of the work of our hands do not make up a big part of our image is naivety. Who you think you are in your head is often very different from who others think you are. We cannot truly communicate in the way we choose to, to the detriment of what others think; that is why there is such a thing as common language. Here, etiquette comes into place for at it’s very heart is consideration for others. The guidelines of etiquette come to being when the majority agree that a certain way is the acceptable way to behave.

For the most part, those guidelines are not far from empathy, love and respect, therefore they are greatly beneficial to any woman or man who wants to make friends and be respected. Interpersonal skills are strategic, potent and yet gentle and unassuming. It is a perversion when it is used for flattery – this will only hurt the offender in the long run (“A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.” Proverbs 29:5 KJV). It is used for the greater good and God is the Rewarder of such.

Her Authority And Submission
Now, here is one expect a lot of woman differ in point of view…the case of submission. On one hand, many believe that a new age has dawned on woman and she is now master of herself – she doesn’t need to submit to anyone including her husband. On the other hand others are traditional to the core and do not believe the woman has any rights at all. The truth is in neither
“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.”

Ephesians 5:22-24 KJV
There is no other religion or way of life that honours and respects women as the gospel does. While a woman and a man are joint heirs – that is, equal in the sight of God, there is a hierarchy of authority that God has ordained. The relationship Christ has with us (His body) is the same that we are to have in marriage. As Christ is the head of the church the husband is the head of the wife.

As the church is to submit to Christ so wives are to submit to their husband. This is the truth and it is not subject to personal interpretation. Then again, what most often we fail to perceive is that grace comes through submission. Just as the church receives nourishment, life and grace from the Head (which is Christ) so also does the woman when she submits to God’s order.
I know this can seem like a tough pill to swallow when you believe your husband doesn’t deserve it …or to put it plainly, isn’t man enough, but consider Esther. Esther was a woman who got married to a powerful but ruthless man. She didn’t rely on her female prowess nor on her authority as queen; No She submitted to her husband but sort favour from the Lord. She feared God more than she did her husband yet she honoured the man God permitted to reign over her. Consider Sarah.

At times, Abraham wasn’t a very good husband by a long stretch of the imagination – He just wasn’t. Explain if you can how you could lie about a woman being your wife and permit another man to sleep with her just to save your own neck. (God commands all men to love their wives more than themselves even at the cost of their own lives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her. See Ephesians 5:25-29) Once was bad enough, but twice… However, Sarah was a woman who honoured and submitted to her husband – not just in word but in her heart. (Genesis 18:12, 1 Peter 3:6) Is it a surprise that God delivered her both times? Is it a surprise that God preserved and honoured her – yes, even brought honour to her husband because of her? When we submit to the word of Truth, God Himself upholds us.

Does a particular issue seem to elude you? If anyone lacks wisdom let her ask of the Lord who gives to all generously without criticism. (James 1:5)