The Art Of MarriageНамуна

Yield and Love - The Parallel Truth 

Across the Middle East and Asia, the cultural expectations of women range from being under the complete rule of her closest male relative (leaving a woman subjected to an uncle or son to authorize her travel plans), to women being told their respect and identity is found when they take their place - in the kitchen. 

The word ‘submission’ is often wielded as a sword by insecure husbands who demand their own way. Often, some cultures demand that women submit to any man - going beyond the biblical instruction which specifies her ‘own husband’.

The Greek word for submission used in the scripture is hupotasso which can be interpreted as “to yield to one's advice”. The English word submit implies being dominated by a superior. Personally, I don’t think that resonates with the biblical text or the Creator's intentions from the beginning. 

The word ‘yield’ to your ‘own husband’ more accurately describes the biblical instruction which, when paralleled with the man’s instruction to ‘love your wife’, can result in a symphony of unity in purpose and mission. 

Yield doesn’t demand; it’s not forced. It’s a choice derived from free will to yield to another—one's own husband, who with loving counsel directs the home in the best interest of every member. 

God, our loving Father, doesn’t demand our compliance. His gift to mankind was free will - yes, it can result in mistakes, like Adam and Eve, who chose wrongly.  But God didn’t adjust or change the fundamentals. Free will is still a gift. It’s a gift given by God and is expressed in our relationship with God and with others. 

As a wife in relationship with my loving husband, I choose to willingly give him the gift of a yielded heart. 

Wives, ‘yield’ to your own husbands. Husbands ‘love’ your wives.