Don't Take Submission Beyond Scripture

I’m a complementarian, meaning I believe in biblical submission of a wife to her husband (Ephesians 5:22; Colossians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:1) and male leadership in the church (1 Timothy 2:12-14).  

See Limits to Submission: Immoral or Illegal Requests.

Ephesians 5:22-28 explains a wife's submission to her husband and a husband's sacrificial love for his wife. These are commands specifically for marriage, not all relationships. 

Rules for male leadership are also specifically applied to prayer and worship in joint fellowship (i.e., church) (1 Timothy 2).

So beware of teachings (example below) that go beyond Scripture:

“A woman, whether she is married or single, must recognize the fact that in general, as a woman, she must have a spirit of submission to all men … whether in marriage, in business, in the church.… The woman must realize in any relationship that she has been given the place of submission.” (source: MacArthur)*

That statement isn't biblical, nor are the claims of pastors who say women should not be allowed to vote in government elections (e.g., Douglas Wilson).

Both men and women should submit to church leadership, employers, and government (Romans 13:1-7) wherever they choose to worship, work, and live. 

But claiming women should have “a spirit of submission to all men” would mean she must submit to her brothers, adult sons, neighbors, doctors, etc. Besides being unscriptural and impossible, this claim is unsafe.  

The Bereans carefully judged the teachings of Paul with Scripture, and they were called noble for doing so (Acts 17:11). Let's be noble in testing the teachings we hear, no matter who presents them.

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Would you like a more thorough study of this issue? See Biblical Submission Is Unique to Marriage. 

* Important Note: If we defend people no matter what they do or teach, we lose discernment. If a teacher offers 99% accurate Bible teaching, we should still be willing to identify and disagree with the 1% error. God's Word must have our first loyalty. I say this because I know I will get negative feedback by pointing out an error in the teaching of John MacArthur. The linked sermon contains some accurate Bible teaching, but the quote about women being in submission to all men in all areas of life is not biblical. And it's dangerous. Another quote in MacArthur's sermon also disturbs me.

To make the point that submission is not an inferior position, MacArthur talked about Christ being in submission to God the Father when He came to earth to die for our sins, which did not make Christ inferior to God the Father. I agree. That is completely scriptural. But again, MacArthur took it beyond Scripture and made a statement that's not accurate biblically.

“It is not – and mark it – it is not that Christ is inferior to God. In fact, He said, ‘I and the Father are’ – what? – ‘are one.’ There is no inferiority; there is simply a role that is taken. And I’ll tell you something else, think about this: in the truest sense, I, as a member of the Church, am not even inferior to Christ, who is the Head of the Church, because God the Father says I am a joint heir with Christ. And that Christ lives in me. And it is only that I have taken the place of submission, the role of submission. Someday, when I get to heaven, I will be like Him. So, you see, it isn’t talking about inferiority-superiority, it is simply talking about role.” 

We will never be equal to Jesus Christ. He is eternal and perfect, the only Savior and Lord of mankind.  

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Blessed Music is Healthy for Body and Soul — Part 3

These one-minute devotions share some wonderful truths about the way godly music can bless our body, soul, and spirit. 

 

Praise Music Therapy
When negative thoughts are swirling through our brains, this can completely turn things around.

 

4 Reasons God Gave Us Music 
An old man miraculously revives when he's allowed to listen to music. This one-minute devotion explains four of God's purposes in giving us music.

Making Music in Our Hearts is Healthy for Our Souls
This psalm offers a wonderful suggestion for keeping our hearts and our souls healthy!

FREE SUBSCRIPTION: Would you like a devotion like these sent to your email each weekday? It only takes one minute to read but can give your day an extra "Bible boost." Your address is only used for subscription and blog stats purposes. The only ads you'll see are for Gail's books below the devotion. No pop-ups. Subscribe: HERE.

For more one-minute devotions on music, see:

Blessed Music Never Grows Old — Part 1

Blessed Music Brings Joy to All Ages — Part 2 

 

 

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6 Christian Rules of Speech from Proverbs and Ephesians

We learn grammar and rules of speech in school. But did you know that there are also biblical “rules of speech” that are about grace instead of grammar?

1. Respond gently to angry words.

Don't let another person's rudeness or anger shape your response. 
“A gentle answer deflects anger.” Proverbs 15:1

2. Share the truth lovingly.  
If you're resentful, proud, or disinterested, keep your mouth shut.
“The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing … [so] speak the truth in love.” Proverbs 15:2; Ephesians 4:15

3. Speak truthfully.

Don't pass along rumors or reshape the truth. 
“A deceitful tongue crushes the spirit … [so] Let us tell our neighbors the truth.” Proverbs 15:4; Ephesians 4:25

4. Share wisdom.

Let God's Word guide your thoughts and words. 
“The lips of the wise give good advice.” Proverbs 15:7

 
5. Wait for the right time and place to speak.

Be considerate of others, sharing things at appropriate times and places.
“Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!” Proverbs 15:23

 
6. Keep a clean mouth.

Let your words reflect your faith. 

“Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful … [no] obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes.”  Ephesians 4:29, 5:4

God's Word doesn't teach us grammar or punctuation, but it does give us rules of speech to make us gentle, honest, wise, and helpful. Are there any of these areas where you need to renew your speech?

 

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For more, see Speech Lessons: Learning God's Language and Do You Know Mom's Version of Ephesians 4:29? 

✓ Free Subscription to 1-Minute Bible Love Notes. Have a one-minute devotion like this one delivered to your email each weekday.

✓ 10 Reasons You'll Love the Book Wisdom for Life. A collection of 100 one-minute devotions from Psalms and Proverbs and a great gift for people who love God's Word.

✓ Full Description of the Book Lies in Disguise. A much-needed book to uncover half-truths that misuse Scripture and weaken Christian faith.

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Building Selfish Boundaries in Relationships

Millions of people rave about the Boundaries books by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. Promoted as Christian, these books have done enormous damage to Christian families.

I’ve sometimes thought the Boundaries books would be good material to use in seminary classes to teach eisegesis. Eisegesis is a false method where a person starts with a human belief and tries to find Scriptures to fit the belief. 

In contrast, exegesis, a true method of Bible study, starts with what Scripture teaches and develops beliefs based on God’s Word.

While boundaries can be appropriate when there is actual physical or sexual abuse, the majority of content in Boundaries books is about normal relationship problems. Perhaps 10-15% of the Scriptures they use are accurately applied, while 85-90% are misused to support modern victimhood psychology, a teaching that contradicts Scripture and keeps people from developing mature people skills. 

From my research, this is how I would sum up the basic concepts behind most of the Boundaries teachings:

Instead of acting like an adult, fairly evaluating situations, taking responsibility for your sins, and seeking reconciliation, consider yourself a victim and simply cut off people who don't do exactly what you want them to do, especially your parents. And to make your estrangement sound reasonable, exaggerate the problems by calling people toxic, unsafe, and abusive. 

The Boundaries books appeal to our fallen human nature, which accounts for their popularity. Boundaries concepts contradict many passages in Scripture, including almost the whole chapter of Romans 12 (full text below).

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For more on this important subject, see Boundaries versus Guidelines and Speak Your Mind Even if You Lose Your Marriage.

Read the chapter of Romans below and consider how many ways it contradicts cutting off family members who are annoying, difficult, or simply normal, imperfect human beings.

Romans 12: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: 

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

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Genesis 50/20 Eyesight

I love the story of Joseph. It's a wonderful comfort when I'm struggling with painful difficulties. It highlights God's amazing Romans 8:28 ability to use other people's sins to prosper our souls.

God doesn't tempt anyone to sin (James 1:13), but He's able to use sin for good. 

Of course, growth often comes with pain—Joseph's brothers and Potiphar's wife caused Joseph great suffering. But God used their sins to bring Joseph to the right place, the right time, and the right perspective so he could help countless others. 

He gave Joseph Genesis 50/20 eyesight:

When Joseph's brothers were fearful he would take revenge for the evil things they'd done, Joseph said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” 

Recently, God showed me He'd done this very thing in my life—the sins of another person have left their painful mark on my heart. But I've experienced growth in my walk because of them, and they've opened doors of opportunity for me to minister to others (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

Has God used other people's sins to bring you to a better place? Have you found peace in a Genesis 50:20 perspective?

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For more on this important subject, see Rejected by the Majority and Renewed Eyes.

 

💙 Free Subscription to 1-Minute Bible Love Notes. Have a one-minute devotion like this one delivered to your email each weekday.

💙 10 Reasons You'll Love the Book Wisdom for Life. A collection of 100 one-minute devotions from Psalms and Proverbs and a great gift for people who love God's Word.

💙 Full Description of the Book Lies in Disguise. A much-needed book to uncover half-truths that misuse Scripture and weaken Christian faith.

  

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A Gracious, Salty Answer to a Hard Question

How do we answer questions unbelievers ask about culturally accepted sins? Colossians 4:6 tells us to respond with grace and salt (truth):

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

How might we answer if a non-Christian asks, “What do you think about gays?”

We need to let God’s Spirit lead us, but our first response could be, “Why do you ask?” This will give us an understanding of the reason the person is asking and can help us answer more effectively. See Jesus Asked Questions and Understanding Why Jesus Asked Questions.

If someone asked me this question and said they wanted to understand why I can believe in a God who condemns people just because they love someone who’s their own gender, here’s my possible answer:

“I don’t pretend to fully understand the things in a person’s life that lead them to a gay lifestyle, and it breaks my heart to know that some who choose that lifestyle do so because they were sexually abused in childhood. But I believe God, as our loving Creator, knows what is best for us. His commands against homosexuality, just like His other commands, are lovingly designed to keep us from damaging our souls.” 

If this person is open, they may ask other questions or share personal stories, giving us further opportunities to help them understand God’s grace and truth.

If they become angry or rude, it’s likely that they aren’t open, no matter what we say. See When Is a Question Not Really a Question?

It's wise to prepare for questions about God and His commands, but we also must let God's Spirit guide us in each situation.

 

Free Subscription to 1-Minute Bible Love Notes. Have a one-minute devotion like this one delivered to your email each weekday.

10 Reasons You'll Love the Book Wisdom for Life. A collection of 100 one-minute devotions from Psalms and Proverbs and a great gift for people who love God's Word.

Full Description of the Book Lies in Disguise. A much-needed book to uncover half-truths that misuse Scripture and weaken Christian faith.

  

 

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How Do We Answer a Question with Grace and Salt?

A Christian friend told me her non-Christian co-worker asked what she thought of gays. She wasn’t sure how to answer, so she said, “I love them.”
 

Afterwards, she wished she'd been better prepared. Few Christians (including me) think through the best way to answer questions like these, but we should.
 

My friend’s answer wasn’t wrong, but neither was it right. Let’s unpack what Scripture says about answering questions about our faith.
 

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”  Colossians 4:5-6
 

1. We need to know what God's Word teaches.
 

2. We need to see such questions as opportunities to share Christ.
 

3. We need to be gracious, not rude or sarcastic.
 

4. We need to be unafraid to share hard truths. The salt of the gospel flavors and preserves our lives. Matthew 5:13 says we are the salt of the earth. 
 

If we refuse to share unpopular biblical truths, we aren't preserving the truth—we're offering an artificially flavored gospel.

 

John 1:17 says, “Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Christ brought in the New Covenant that is based on both grace and truth. 
 

So how should we answer the question my friend was asked? With this foundation, I offer a possible answer in A Gracious, Salty Answer to a Hard Question.

 For more insights on being salt, see:

 Are You Sugar & Shadows or Salt & Light? and Seasoned with Salt.

And please check out this helpful resource: Full description of the book Lies in Disguise. It's a much-needed book to uncover half-truths that misuse Scripture and weaken Christian faith.

 

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Blessed Music Brings Joy to All Ages — Part 2

These songs we sang in children's Sunday school have messages we need to sing as adults, bringing us joy and sweet memories today!

Simple, Profound, True
Simple enough for a child to understand, profound enough for a theologian. This one-minute devotion explains the story behind one of the most popular Christian songs of all time.

Don't Let the Darkness Scare You!
This children's song has a powerful message that we need to remember during these dark times.

Rise and Shine: 6 Ways to Start Your Day with Jesus 
Why not focus on Jesus as soon as you wake up? This one-minute devotion offers six ideas for waking up in a "Jesus mood."

FREE SUBSCRIPTION: Would you like a devotion like these sent to your email each weekday? It only takes one minute to read but can give your day an extra "Bible boost." Your address is only used for subscription and blog stats purposes. The only ads you'll see are for Gail's books below the devotion. No pop-ups. Subscribe: HERE.

For more one-minute devotions on music, see:

Blessed Music Never Grows Old -- Part 1

Blessed Music is Healthy for Body and Soul--Part 3  

Don't Be Taken in by Cain or Mamdani

You can also watch/listen to this devotion on YouTube: Cain or Mamdani.

Today's devotion is longer than one minute, but I think it's very important that we recognize how Islam mocks our God, our faith, and humanity in general. And I think it's important that we clearly understand the vengeful Muslim attack on America on September 11, 2001.

When God confronted Cain for the murder of his brother, Cain whined about his punishment, saying, “My punishment is more than I can bear” (Genesis 4:6-14). He showed no sorrow for cruelly murdering his innocent, God-honoring brother Abel.

I was reminded of this attitude when New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani talked last year about Islamophobia (source). But before explaining what I mean, let me give you this background:

Mamdani took his oath of office on the Quran, the Muslim holy book, which says things such as this: 

“Slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful” (Quran).

Allah's definition of forgiveness and mercy is not at all like the true God's definition. Jesus tells us to love our enemies; Allah tells his followers to kill them. And Allah's enemies are all non-Muslims, especially Christians and Jews. See Jesus Versus Muhammad.

Those who executed 9/11 twenty-five years ago were being faithful to Allah, as many Muslims have been throughout history.

So how did Mamdani resemble Cain when he spoke about Islamophobia last year? He brought up 9/11 without mentioning the 2,976 people brutally murdered by Muslims who were following Allah's commands in the Quran. Nor did he mention the thousands injured and the continuing deaths due to toxic chemicals in the dust that covered New York City for months afterwards. (source)

Nor did he admit that the terrorists were emulating the life of his prophet Muhammad. See Remembering the spirit behind 911.  

Instead, he talked of his aunt after 9/11 getting a dirty look on the subway for wearing her hijab, and he acted as if Muslims are the most mistreated people on earth. 

Mamdani appeared to be shedding tears about his aunt's dirty looks, and it was later revealed that he had no aunts living in America during 9/11. (source)

Mamdani is a practicing Muslim, a believer in the Muslim “holy book,” the Quran, which “is replete with explicit and implicit sanction and promotion of armed conflict, violence, and bloodshed by Muslims” against non-Muslims (source). He chose to place his hand on the Quran when he was sworn into office as Mayor of New York City, an act which means his god is the ultimate witness of his truthfulness.

But here's the rub: according to the Quran, “Muslims who closely observe sharia law, which splits the world into two perpetually warring halves, will always have a ‘divinely sanctioned’ right to deceive, until ‘all chaos ceases, and all religion belongs to Allah’” (Quran 8:39). (source)  

Deception is approved in Islam when dealing with non-Muslims. 

The only reason logical people defend Islam is that “the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Islam is a religion inspired by hatred, and it also teaches abuse and inferiority of women.

Hatred of the Jews (which many Muslims support) is a far greater problem than Islamophobia:

According to the FBI stats in 2016 regarding religiously inspired crimes, 54.4% were against Jews and 24.5% were against Muslims. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reports that in the three months after Hamas started the war in October 2023, “antisemitic incidents in the U.S. skyrocketed by 361%” (source). Anti-Christian hatred is also on the rise coming from the radical left (source). 

According to USA Facts, hate crimes doubled from 2015 to 2024. “Out of 2,982 reported religion hate crimes, 2,080 were anti-Jewish — more than double all other religiously motivated crimes combined. In ten years, anti-Jewish hate crimes more than tripled. Anti-Islamic (or Muslim) crimes were the second-most common religion-based hate crime, accounting for 9% [268] of the total.”  

Mamdani mentioned Islamophobia but failed to mention anti-Jewish violence, which is more than ten times worse! 

Open Doors works with the persecuted Christian church, and they have a list showing the top ten countries with the worst persecution of Christians in the world. Islamic oppression is the cause of persecution in the majority of those countries.

And Islamic persecution is some of the cruelest. They not only kill Christians and confiscate their property, but they're known for torturing, mutilating, raping, decapitating, and burning our Christian brothers and sisters to death.  

There are peaceful Muslims, but they have put their faith in a religion that promotes evil and deception. 

Let's pray for Mamdani and other Muslims that they will find Christ, and let's refuse Cain-like rhetoric that ignores cruelty and dwells on self-pity (1 John 3:12). 

Islam is the enemy of the true and living God. Let 9/11 remind us to pray for those deceived by Islam, the friends and families of those killed by Muslim violence on September 11, 2001, and our Christian brothers and sisters who are persecuted by Muslims all over the globe.

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✔ If you've heard the claims that Christianity is just as violent as Islam, see:

Were Old Testament Wars the Same as Muslim Jihad? 

Half-Truths About the Crusades 

When People Think They Can Judge God, but God Can't Judge Them 

Genocide in the Bible? 

Is Islam a Religion of Peace?

 ✔ If you've heard that Muslims believe in Jesus, see Why Muslims Can’t Believe Jesus Was a Prophet. 

Open Doors: Top Ten Countries Responsible for Persecution and Killing of Christians 

1 - North Korea - Communist and post-Communist oppression    
2 - Somalia - Islamic oppression    
3 - Yemen - Islamic oppression    
4 - Sudan - Islamic oppression    
5 - Eritrea - Dictatorial paranoia (a Muslim country)  

6 - Syria - Dictatorial paranoia (a Muslim country)

7 - Nigeria - Islamic oppression 

8 - Pakistan - Islamic oppression 

9 -  Libya - Islamic oppression   
10 - Iran - Islamic oppression    

 

The links on each country name lead to a page explaining the type of persecution and how you can pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ. 

In New York City in 2023 (the latest stats I could find): 

There were 477 anti-Jewish hate crimes and 37 anti-Muslim hate crimes. Yet we constantly hear that Muslims are being mistreated while hatred of Jews goes largely unnoticed. (NY State Comptroller)

Picture of Mamdani on my images: Dmitryshein

 

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5 Truths to Help Us Deal with Slander

Slander...

An angry church member spreads a half-truth, a loved one blows something out of proportion, a stubborn neighbor refuses our valid explanation, a jealous co-worker exaggerates our mistake. 

Most of us will be misunderstood or maligned at some point in our lives. So what do we do when people refuse to hear the truth and choose to believe the lie? 

In Psalm 62, David talks of those who “delight in telling lies about me. They praise me to my face but curse me in their hearts.” He finds peace in these truths: 

1. God alone is our comfort and peace.
“In God alone my soul finds rest” (verse 1, BSB).

Sometimes God allows these situations so we'll learn He is enough!

 

2. God alone judges hearts. 

“My salvation and my honor depend on God” (verse 7).
Men may honor bad people and revile good people. Ultimately, our honor depends on God, not man.

3. God alone can be trusted. 
“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (verse 8).

 

4. God alone gives perfect justice.
“You reward everyone according to what they have done” (verse 12).

 

5. God alone can use slander for our good.

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). 

If you've been slandered, seek the Lord's comfort and let your soul find rest in God alone!

 

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For more comfort and encouragement, see Jesus Feels Our Pain and 8 Steps to Overcome Bitterness.

 

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