@Thir7ySev3n I’m addressing your response on this thread since the subject fits the topic.
In an ontological hierarchy, it is an intrinsic design feature. Man is made for God, and the woman is made for God by being made for the man, to help him image God and thus glorify Him. As such, women will ironically learn more about godly femininity from the masculine man (or women submitted to their men in accordance with
Titus 2:3-5), just as men will learn proper spiritual direction and leadership from God rather than other man (unless of course they are learning it from other men submitted to God who know the Word).
I am unable to suspend reason for the sake of agreement or to validate an untruth. Wisdom points a person to the things of God. And when we love Him we respect the nuances of His creations. We don’t seek conformity or subjection. If He desired us to be identical we would. But that isn’t His intention.
For those in Christ, we understand the body has many parts and should not assume others should mirror our position. Men are generally more accepting of difference than women. And don’t view it as a threat.
The further I grow in God the more tolerant I’ve become. And I enjoy seeing the different ways God has gifted others. Often in a manner I don’t possess.
I enjoy the company of men and women with a heart for God who are authentically pursuing the purpose and mission He’s assigned. They aren’t living for others or dancing to another’s tune. They’re wholly His.
In this context, the feminine qualities of seeking social cohesion can be extremely foolish, destructive (especially spiritually) and self-serving.
I’ve seen this over the years in many settings. Sometimes its hidden and others more overt. Cohesion often relies on acceptance. Fitting in supplants the truth and group think develops. I am not a follower and factions are rarely good. My spirit repels them.
However, when this quality is used in a surrendered woman, it will be conducive to peace, wisdom and God-honouring relationship as God defines these qualities in the Scripture (and important qualifier since many are wise in their own eyes and always proclaim their own goodness, even when the Scripture is explicitly against their actions).
When you know who you are in God and have made peace with the truth and content with what you’ve been given; most of the issues fall away. You won’t covet another’s gifts or talents. You’ll embrace the different elements of the body with a welcoming spirit. And don’t feel threatened or seek to impose your will on theirs.
Surrender and acceptance are the lone way to reach that place. We have to deny self in deference to the holy being He’s crafting. Oftentimes we dwell on the inner man He’s shaping without recognizing the outer is transformed in turn.
Godly surrender for one will be visibly different than the same for another. But each hails from Him.
So it is either a source of foolishness, or wisdom, weakness or strength, and ugliness or beauty. It is up to the woman to decide whether she is going to please God with her femininity or follow after the first lie of Satan that she can direct her own self.
I think its important to seek the Lord’s standard. My thread on
Christian Modesty was created with that in mind. It is also a visible example of God’s diversity. That’s why I asked for pictures. While it emphasized attire (which is a source of contention in the church) the principle is the same.
Godly femininity is two-fold. We have the imperishable attributes that Paul mentioned and the fruits of the Spirit. But there’s an external aspect and this is where confusion begins. Our outer man should provide a clear example of who we are within. And our adornment complements this truth.
We have a narrow view of femininity and have tried to place it in a box or cast it in a certain guise. This is mainly the world’s doing. But believers are to seek the Lord’s input on His ideal representation of their masculinity and femininity and not their own.
We always have to come back to representation and headship to have insight into why men and women perceive and function the way they do, and the ways they ought to function and perceive. To stray from this is not wise.
Our fallen state has made this increasingly difficult to embrace. And we’ve neglected to consider our makeup in relation to the subject. Some people have a propensity for leadership like others have for art or music. Its in their blood. Others are helpers by nature and delight in domestic pursuits.
God fashions us with gifts and talents and passions of al stripes. If we consider the body and its parts. It isn’t hard to see that some will excel in headship and submission more than others. The head and heart make up a small part of the whole.
He expects the strong to lead by example. Not coercion or shame. Those whose makeup provides them a greater ability to lead or yield should not expect that occurs can do the same. Most cannot.
You referenced my character. But there’s a lot that goes into my disposition which most aren’t privy to. It is easy to embrace submission when you’re natural aligned with the principle; was reared in an environment with positive examples of masculinity, femininity, headship and submission; had no exposure to feminist teachings; and no history of physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual abuse. And if your experiences with the opposite sex were largely positive you’ll develop a different outlook.
Of course I can submit! There’s nothing within me fighting against it. God strengthened what was present. But when sin enters the picture the results can be harmful. Violations can hinder our trust. Ideologies can warp our mind. And religion can become oppressive and controlling.
So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?”
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives...
When I read these verses my heart softens. They resonate with me and my spirit agrees. Much like the artist is moved by a great work and the musician is stirred by a piece. All are responding to something innate which reflects their gifting and makeup.
So, I return to the body and wonder: how many are artists or musicians? Once more I realize the numbers are small. And when you consider the nature of all three the common denominator is surrender. Each knows how to give way to something greater than themselves.
We are told to pray without ceasing. And there are those God has gifted who are able to labor in prayer for hours each day. Does it mean we’ve failed if we don’t do the same? No. We understand their capacity is due to gifting.
But for some reason we’ve developed unrealistic expectations on this topic. Peter cited Sarah for many reasons. Namely the respect she accorded to Abraham in spite of his failings. That’s easier said than done given her experiences.
I think that goes to prove the importance of forgiveness. And its correlation with respect and admiration. Women are apt to turn things around in their mind which infect the heart if we don’t release them.
We are never told how she felt about their time in Egypt. Or if the experience impacted her heart. What we are shown are her private musings and the accord she has for him.
That is true surrender. And a depth of submission we cannot gauge without trial or challenge. To suppose that most could reach that place is unrealistic. But I am determined to try nonetheless. Her beauty astounds me.
