Gender Equality, Submission & Empowerment

03/31/2020

Growing up as a modern woman has lent me various privileges that both women and men before me (and now) greatly desired/desire. These include educational attainment, certain job opportunities, autonomy, etc, of which I am thankful for though I also know and maintain that these still do not contribute to my being a woman or add to my worth. Today, there are many “liberties” (if you will) that many women are striving for to be considered equal to men, and finally “empowered.” Unfortunately, this is fueled by a misconception that there exists a gaping inequality between the sexes. This is not true. If it is perceived to be so, then that does not come from the inherent qualities of either gender or even from their roles but rather people's ignorance of God's truth. For instance, who says that a woman who raises her children per God’s word and instructions has a less important role than a man who is the CEO of a company? Or that a woman who chooses her career over her children and outsources their care to others is more empowered than the woman who raises Godly posterity? Granted, the misunderstanding of the gender roles has unfortunately led many men to be abusive, cheats, unloving, cruel, even effeminate and women abused, neglected, nagging and even domineering. I do NOT applaud the evils stemming from this misunderstanding nor condone them; evils such as sexual violence, domestic and verbal abuse, child marriages, etc that are often perpetrated against women. I am against the extremes of oppression and liberalism and instead stand on the biblical truth that there is equality of the sexes, even with the different gender roles, and this comes solely from what God established at creation. The sexes, though unique, are not independent of each other and neither can function distinctly without the influence of the other. And so, in consideration of women and the topics on which I will further discuss, there can be no female empowerment (in the way the world/feminists regard it) except that empowerment is aligned with God’s design for women and from God Himself.

On equality

"And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” Genesis 2:18

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1:27‬ ‭

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Gal 3:28

“Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. For as woman came from man, even so, man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.” ‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭11:11-12‬

On headship order

“But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” 1 Corinthians 11:3

“For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Misunderstanding submission

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:5-7

Submission, at first, did not ring pleasantly in my ears but sounded very denigrating and bothersome. Yet to disregard this would be to disregard Jesus' demonstration of submission. As His servant then, I am by no means greater than my master and must aim to emulate Him.

“But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭20:25-28‬ ‭

Within the body of Christ, both sexes function within their God-given roles. There is no resentment from either party because both parties do what is expected of them (and that’s key!) The gender roles are highly esteemed and maintained within God’s design. I’ve observed that the most long-lasting marriages with the least contentions and strife between the man and woman are those with true believers in Christ who uphold God’s design. It is easier for a man to love his submissive wife and a woman to be submissive to her husband who loves her following the example of Christ Himself: in actions and not just in speech (see also 1 Corinthians 13). Furthermore, the submission and love expected from both parties are not conditional on whether the other does their part or not. Both men and women are to keep obedience and love for God as the priority. It is really through acknowledging God and obeying Him that this becomes easier, even if the other person doesn’t keep their part. Why...? Because it is God they are seeking to please and not people.

Ephesians 5:21-33

21 Submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Marriage—Christ and the Church

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.

24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word

27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.

30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.

31 “For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

So how does this concern the unmarried woman?

I acknowledge God’s headship authority and I’ve learned (and still learning) to be respectful of all people and particularly any male presence. I've learned (and I'm learning) to pay attention to the hidden man of the heart which is not corruptible, the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which in the sight of God is of great price (1 Peter 3:4). Albeit, this does not mean that a woman is to be wimpy, compromising or that she is to seek to be a people-pleaser/please the men around her or not to even advocate for herself. No, not at all! If you take that stance, your view is unfortunately still through a warped lens! My submission and obedience are always to God first, and His Will is my greatest motivation. Those around me would just be reaping the benefits of my obedience to God (or be offended by it depending on their worldview ¯\_(ツ)_/¯). Either way, God is the highest authority and so everything must be done for Him, looking to Jesus Christ as the example. We all have a role to play and with God as our audience--the only one that matters too, and disregarding what those around us do or don't. I can attest that God truly empowers His daughters in a way that the world cannot fathom and uplifts them as heirs in His Kingdom (Romans 8:17). I, therefore, stand assured as a woman fully empowered by God, resting solely on Him for my worth and confidence, adhering to the role He has set out for me, and seeking to please Him as my only audience.