Bible Question: How far should a woman have to go to submit to her husband? If he is physically or mentally abusive, surely she doesn't have to put up with that? What if it is a Christian woman and a non christian man? What if the man claims to be a Christian but is abusive towards his wife and children? |
Bible Answer: Norrie, I just read all the posts to this point, and all I can say is Praise God it isn't you. I feel horrible for the other woman, and will keep her in prayer, but the people who write in to this forum are friends. So I thank God again. I think a lot of people have problems with the thought of submission. It is not being submissive to say "God says I must be submissive, so I guess I have to," but if it is understood that every successful organization and company has an order and in order for a family to be successful it must also have an order. God gave us that order. Man, as the head, must love His wife as God loved the church - sacrificially (you could ask my husband how much he sacrifices every time he gets our charge card bill!). The woman was made to be a helpmeet (helpmate) and so should be respected as an important member of the decision making process in the family. She should love and honor her husband, realizing his role is not an easy one. Submission becomes easier. It especially helps if both are true Christians who understand the roles they have. But even if only the wife knows her role, by accepting it, sometimes the husband will accept his. In the situation you are describing about a man who claims to be Christian, a lot of people claim to be Christian and have no idea what a Christian is. In an abuse situation, again I say get out. Not only could it result in severe injury to the person involved, but the effects can be severely damaging to any children. I think studies were done that showed the majority of abusive adults came from abusive homes. And those that married into an abusive situation had also seen those same situations growing up as a child. It is a hard situation. But I think when God talks about submitting, He wasn't talking about being beaten. Debbie |