Submission Is God’s Will for Your Life
In today’s culture, submission is often misunderstood or rejected. Many see it as weakness, loss of freedom, or blind obedience. Yet God wants you to be submissive—not to be controlled by people, but to willingly place yourself under His authority and the structures He has established. Submission is not about value; it’s about order, humility, and obedience to God.
When we submit in the way God intends, we demonstrate trust in His sovereignty and reflect Christ’s character in a world that desperately needs to see Him.
1. The Biblical Call to Submission
- 1 Peter 2:13–15 – “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors… For such is the will of God that by doing right you silence the ignorance of foolish people.”
- Ephesians 5:21 – “And be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”
- Hebrews 13:17 – “Obey your leaders and submit to them—for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.”
- Romans 13:1 – “Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”
Submission is not passive—it is an intentional choice to honor God by respecting and cooperating with those He has placed in positions of leadership or influence.
2. Biblical Examples of Godly Submission
David and King Saul – 1 Samuel 24:4–6
David had the chance to kill Saul, who was unjustly hunting him. Yet he refused, saying, “I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, because he is the Lord’s anointed.” David trusted God to deal with Saul in His timing.
Jesus in the Garden – Luke 22:42
Facing the cross, Jesus prayed, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” His submission to the Father brought salvation to the world.
The Early Church – Acts 4:18–20
When commanded not to preach in Jesus’ name, Peter and John respectfully refused because the command contradicted God’s Word. Submission does not mean obeying man when it requires disobedience to God—it means obeying God above all.
3. Areas Where God Calls You to Be Submissive
- To God – James 4:7 says, “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Submission starts with yielding to God’s will and authority in every part of life.
- In the Church – Hebrews 13:17 instructs us to submit to spiritual leaders, recognizing their responsibility before God.
- In Marriage – Ephesians 5:22–25 calls wives to submit to husbands as to the Lord, and husbands to love their wives sacrificially as Christ loved the church.
- At Work – Colossians 3:22–24 teaches employees to work with sincerity and excellence, as if working for the Lord.
- In Society – Romans 13:1–2 reminds us to honor governing authorities unless they directly contradict God’s commands.
4. Why Submission Matters to God
- It Honors His Authority – Every structure of authority ultimately comes from Him (Romans 13:1).
- It Reflects Christ’s Example – Jesus submitted fully to the Father’s will (John 6:38).
- It Brings Order and Peace – Without submission, relationships, communities, and nations descend into chaos.
- It Silences Critics – As 1 Peter 2:15 teaches, submission to God’s will disarms those who wrongly accuse believers.
5. Living Submissively in 2025
Living submissively today requires courage and discernment. In a world that prizes independence and often rebels against any form of authority, submission stands out as radically different. Here’s how to apply it now:
- At Home – Create a culture of honor and service in your family.
- At Work – Work faithfully and respectfully, even when leadership is difficult to follow.
- In Society – Be a good citizen, pay taxes, follow laws, and pray for leaders (1 Timothy 2:1–2).
- In Faith – Submit to God’s Word, even when it challenges your preferences or opinions.
- When Tested – If human authority commands something against God’s law, stand firm in respectful disobedience, as the apostles did in Acts 5:29: “We must obey God rather than men.”
Conclusion: Submission Is Strength Under God’s Control
Biblical submission is not about weakness—it’s about trusting God’s design. When you live submissively, you honor Him, protect your witness, and open the door for His blessings in your life. In a rebellious world, submission shines as a testimony of Christlike humility and strength.
Prayer for a Submissive Heart:
Heavenly Father,
Help me to live in humble submission to You and the authority You have placed in my life. Give me discernment to know when to obey and when to stand firm for Your truth. Let my submission be a reflection of Christ’s example and bring glory to Your name. Amen.
