The Not-So-Foolish Biblical Gender Roles 

I woke up this morning and had some thoughts run through my mind. One of them was that I’ve never been with a man who truly cherished me or did things for me in such a kind and selfless way. More specifically I mean I haven’t been with a man who has had the financial stability and freedom to ‘spoil’ me or buy me things like other men do for their partners. Sure they would buy some things for me from time to time but I found myself being more financially capable of buying things for them, spoiling them, making them feel loved in that sense. Sounds silly I know, but as a Christian woman, we shouldn’t be the bread winners in the family or have financial dominance over the man. It just feels weird! It’s not natural!

(Picture from slate)

Now, I’m not here to complain or gain sympathy over these past experiences, or lack of experiences I’ve had regarding the way men have treated me, but rather, build some encouragement for all you Christian women out there, whether you are single or are married.

I truly believe that God created men to be the sole providers of the household, while women are to stay at home, look after the children, take care of the home, and all other matters. I know that in this modern world, and with the economy the way it is today, it is incredibly hard to maintain that. There are also other situations that come in to play such as being a single mum and having to find a way to gain financial independence whilst also raising your children. I’m in that situation at the moment and let me tell you it is hard. I do not feel led to believe that I should be slaving away to provide for my family. In an ideal world this wouldn’t be me. However, it is what it is and I have to work around it.

Men, like the bible says, love your wives; cherish them. “Husbands, love [your] wives, and be not bitter against them” (Colossians 3:19). Take them out for a nice dinner, buy them a bunch of gorgeous red roses and a box of their favorite chocolates, even mind the kids while she can have a lay down or a 5 minute breather! “But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please [his] wife” (1 Corinthians 7:33). Being a mother is hard work! If you do this every once in a while I am sure they will feel truly loved and thankful for those selfless acts you’ve done! These sweet gestures go a long way with a woman.

Similarly, wives, love your husbands, appreciate them, respect them, let them lead! It’s what they’re born to do! “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body” (Ephesians 5:22-23). Ladies, make your man his favorite dinner when he gets home from work as a surprise, let him rest up while you finish the housework for the night, allow him to have some time on the weekend to do what he wants to do whether it’s catch up with his mates, work on a project he has set up in the garage, or put his feet up and watch a movie. The man is working hard to provide for you and the children after all! For it is written, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” (Genesis 3:19).

(Picture from The Guardian)

I know this all may sound obvious, and perhaps many of you behave this way and do these things for one another already and that is fantastic. I just see this as a friendly reminder, or even a way to allow us all to grow in Christ, to strengthen our faith with Him, for He created us, He designed us with these gender specific roles, and as such, by us following in His creation and guidance, we make God happy because we are obeying His Will for us as men and women. When we do the will of God it pleases Him. It also makes us feel great, and truly blessed to have such a loving kind God. Furthermore, the actions that we commit as individuals and more specifically as husband and wives also reflects upon our abilities of being good role models to our children. “ Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

(Picture from Let’s Please God)

This world is corrupted. Women are becoming more dominant, self centered, aggressive, power driven, seeking to gain financial and personal independence. Many do not want to submit to their husbands or find a man to marry and take care of. They’d rather be going off to college, getting a degree, finding a career to suit their personalities and work their way towards their own goals. They want to become something that they were not created to be. Personally, I believe it is due to the feminist agenda, but that’s another topic.

(Picture from New Matilda)

While I do not believe this is necessarily bad for a single woman, especially given the economy that we are in as I’ve said before, but ideally, women, once married, and having children, should stay at home because that is how God designed us. However, if the woman is married but has no children, I do not see a huge issue with them working, as long as they are not the bread winner or try to dominate over their husband in any manner.

Men are becoming weak, androgynous, cowardly, insecure and submissive. Now whether that boils down to society influencing and driving this kind of agenda upon men, the concept of gender being removed from society overall, or if it’s about one’s upbringing or lack of faith in God and His Word, overall, there needs to be change. That is why we must come together, as one in Christ Jesus, pray for one another, help, correct, and rebuke our brethren.

We know how God designed us to be, for it is written: “For Adam was first formed, then Eve” (1 Timothy 2:13). We know how we must act in accordance to our roles in the household as husband and wife, for it is written. We know how to please and honour God and do His Will and not our own, for it is written. “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye… And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This [is] the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” (Psalm 32:8; Isaiah 30:21).

(Picture from Imgrum)

Satan wants to destroy the family unit. He wants to bring about chaos and destruction. He desires for the women to be domineering and have power and lack submission, and for the men to lack faith, be weak, and act cowardly and insecurely. We as Christians have the greatest weapon though that can destroy all of this: the Holy Bible. The Word of God is ever so powerful and will crush the devil. We are in a spiritual warfare and we must not let the devil win. “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:11-18).We must take control of our lives, control of our marriages, and submit to God! “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

(Picture from Crosswalk)

Ladies, I am counting on you to step up, encourage your husbands, and work together. Men, I want you to be able to lead and let God guide you. “So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself… Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with [them] according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered… Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (Ephesians 5:28; 1 Peter 3:7; 1 Peter 5:8-10).

May this encourage you ladies out there; and men as well.

God Bless.

 

 

Category: mom blog