When a Christian Wife Says, “I Do”

Daily Devotional: Day 161

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything” (Ephesians 5:22-24, NKJV).

Understanding the covenant relationship between Jesus Christ and the Church is key to understanding the relationship between Christian spouses. In other words, how spouses conduct themselves in a marriage is an indication of how they understand the bond between Christ and His Church. This is one of the most sacred and fundamental teachings the Holy Spirit has bequeathed to us in the Scriptures. Today, let’s talk about one thing the Bible says to Christian wives: submission to their husbands. God willing, tomorrow, we’ll look at husbands, too.

Exchange of vows and the rings is one of the most beautiful moments in a marriage ceremony. It’s the solemn moment when couples say to each other the two most famous words, “I do.” For the woman, the “I Do” will include “I submit to you, Mr. . . . as my head even as the Church submits to Christ her Head.” Submission is an expression of humility. It is a beautiful and powerful spiritual weapon. With this weapon, the wife can defeat every attempt of satan to lure her into controlling, manipulating, or undermining her husband. A Christian wife will do well to remember what satan did to Eve in the garden. He used her against Adam and God. The spirit of submission, i.e. submission to God’s commandment, keeps satan away. Many Christians, unfortunately, don’t realize this. When they hear of submission, they think it’ll impede their personal dreams and goals. They forget that obedience to God is more precious than gold and silver. God can give you what your dreams and goals can’t give you.

 God has arranged that the wife (woman) should submit to her husband. If we follow God’s arrangement, it will lead to peace, joy, unity, harmony and countless spiritual blessings. God’s plan is not for the wife to lead or control her husband. A lack of submission, therefore, constitutes a violation of the marriage covenant. Cheating is not only about adultery. Failure to submit is a form of cheating, because it violates the terms of the covenant. When a Christian wife fails to submit to her husband, it is akin to the Church not submitting to Christ, but seeking to lead or control Him. 

However, when a wife practices submission, she is in a spiritually safe zone. Submission ensures spiritual protection. You are safe when you are where God wants you to be, doing what God wants you to do. When you step outside God’s plan, you’re no longer spiritually safe; you become easy target for the enemy. Let Christian wives listen to the voice of the God who established marriage, and they’ll notice remarkable difference in the quality of their marriage.

God bless Christian wives with wisdom, holiness and a spirit of submission. Amen.

For further study: 1 Peter 3:1-6