The order being given to wives, “stand down,” is being given for your good.  Now, no matter who was right in the situation, we might be talking about, this hypothetical—no matter who might be right in this hypothetical, you are now wrong.  Amen?  And very likely, your rebellion, your self-will, is probably worse than what caused the problem in the first place.  I’m saying all that to say, it’s for purifying, it’s for your safety, it’s for your good that God has established this order.  Even in the spirit realm, the angels, right?  There’s a covering because even the angels (1 Corinthians 11:10), these messengers that would come would seduce you back to Eve-ness.  God has placed in your life one that we’re to be of one heart, we’re to be of one mind.  So, don’t see it as a way of putting you down, see it as a way of helping release you of the dominion of the flesh and of Satan.  When we begin to see it that way, we delight in our husbands and trust our husbands.  I didn’t get to Proverbs 31.  We’ll probably approach it from the backside here as we’re talking to the ladies, but what a treasure that your husbands can safely trust in you, Proverbs 31:11.  Amen?  When you’re fulfilling your role and you’re in harmony, you’re making your husband great at the gates (Proverbs 31:23).  Isn’t that what it says?  Your support.  You know, behind every successful man there’s a great woman.  There’s a lot to that.  Or a woman can tear her own house down (Proverbs 14:1).  Isn’t that what the Bible teaches us?

So, when we can begin to see, then, it’s not somebody lording over me, it’s somebody assisting me, it’s somebody that I’m co-laboring with.  We’re working together, we’re trying to get to the same place.  The order is here, verse 23, “For the husband is the head of the wife...”  I just kind of would like to go out somewhere in social settings and teach this just for fun.  I know somebody might shoot my ear off.  The world hates this.  Satan hates this.  Satan is opposed to a godly army being raised up.  Another generation walking in order, in step with the Word of God under the lordship and commands that Jesus is giving us in His church.  So, as we’re standing in this last hour, having done all to stand, we’re standing.  Your children are watching.  Oh, they’re hearing what you’re saying, but they’re watching.  Parents, you can do everything right and your kids still not serve the Lord.  So, don’t take any condemnation.  Now, I’m a parent who didn’t do everything right, but I have no condemnation in the situation that we’re in because the opportunity was made so available that their choice to refuse to bow their knee to Jesus’ lordship was a choice of heart, not environment, not lack of instruction.  So, you rest in that as parents.  I do want to say, our children are watching, so let’s show them, then, what true submission, what true humility is, because that’s what makes this work; amen?

Father, we thank You for Your Word.  We just ask that You would continue to strengthen us, guide us.  Let our hearts be open to hear.  Give us grace and mercy to obey and walk in these truths.  We’ll give You all the glory and all of the honor, in Jesus’ name, amen.