What Word Offends People The Most?

What happens when you hear the word “submit”? Do you cringe and cover your ears? How about the hairs on the back of your neck, do they stand up? Or, do you become riled up and jump into defense mode. Whatever your reaction may be, is it in line with how God wants you to live?

I recall being in a meeting one time and this single six-letter word became the heated topic of debate for the next hour. People searched for all types of synonyms in attempts to soften the sound and make the word seem less intrusive.

Unfortunately, the word submit has become so distorted and has created quite a pandemonium over the past few decades if not more. Incidentally, the true meaning has no intention of making people put their guard up or throw on their battle gear because the act of submitting is not a physical matter, but a battle within the mind and the heart.

Submit can be defined as “ to accept or yield to a superior force or to the authority or will of another person.” Who exactly are we to yield to?

Wives to their husbands

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” (Colossians 3:18)

Children to Parents and Elders

“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders.” (1Peter 5:5)

Employers and Those in Positions of Authority

“All the leaders and the mighty men, and also all the sons of King David, submitted themselves to King Solomon.”(1 Chronicles 29:24)

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”(Romans 13:1)

To God the Omnipotent One

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

The notion of submitting seems simple when the words are said. Subsequently, the action is not an easy task. The world we live in today is so opposed to submitting. We live in an all about me, gotta have it my way, how will you meet my needs demanding world. When adding our pride into the mix, the job seems impossible to accomplish unless we die to ourselves and allow the pride that lives within to be smothered.

Yet, we cannot do this on our own. We must call upon the one true God who has overcome for us already. It is not through our strength, but His that we are able to truly submit to his will for us.

Are you having difficulty letting go? Are you struggling with the idea of submitting to God’s will for you? How can we pray for you?