How A Wife Is Supposed To Be

I once had a friend tell me that she didn’t like all the things that were written in the Bible because it was sexist toward women. Words like “submit” and “obey” have been made to look like chains that keep women pinned down and dependent on the man, unable to do anything for themselves. It is really a sad misinterpretation.

I have three things to say in response to these unfair accusations. As far as submitting and obeying is concerned, it is true that this is a commandment for wives, but God is not asking us to do anything He is not charging men to do. Paul writes that: “… the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God” (I Cor 11:3 KJV). Both men and women need to remember first their commitment and subjection to Christ and put nobody before Him (Mt 10:35-37). If we are true to our Lord then we will submit to our husbands gladly knowing we are following the will of Christ, and that our husbands are too.

Secondly, and this is what the world’s teachings have messed up so completely is, if a husband is obeying God and treating his wife like Jehovah wants him to, then the wife will have no problem submitting to him. Men aren’t entirely innocent in the feminist movement; many have changed into roles that make them pathetic excuses for leaders. A woman should be proud to know that her husband loves and respects her, and is responsible for stepping up and leading his family toward God. Women want a real man, and men need to be real men.

Another thing is, look at the account in Genesis chapter two again of Eve’s creation. Jehovah in all of His wisdom and foresight knew that issues like this would one day arise, and you better know He chose the way He formed Eve for this very purpose. She was not made exactly like Adam. God took one of Adam’s ribs, a bone that protects his heart. He did not take a foot bone to indicate that He gave Adam the right to walk all over her, nor did He take a bone from his head to signify she had authority over him. He chose a bone that would show that she was his equal as a human being. Her very existence was one in which she would help him and love him. Husbands and wives are partners, not slaves to one another.

The claims stating that the Bible is sexist because a wife must be dependent or chained down to her husband is completely ludicrous. There are not any examples where this is acceptable to God, but quite the opposite actually. Proverbs records a woman who provides for her family by being extremely industrious (Prov 31:10-31). We also read of Lydia, who had a business of selling purple garments (Acts 16:14).

When it comes down to it, women need to go back to acting like ladies, and men need to man up and be gentlemen. There is nothing respectable about a man who slaps a woman around with his words or his fists, nor is there anything respectable about a woman who bosses her husband around and belittles him. “A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain. House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.” (Prov 19:13-14 ESV). If we behave as He has commanded we will see marriage for the blessing that it is: “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” (I Pet 3:7 ESV).