Sunday Omori
(Dedicated to my lovely wife, Faith Omori, and all the women across the globe. #BreakTheBias)
It was a bright day as I woke up one morning. I was not busy with getting ready for work as it happens on a typical workday. As I looked around the house, I had no option than to clean-up the place. No sooner had I started sweeping than a neighbor came out to say, “Sunny, why are you the one sweeping? Where is your wife? Well done oo!” I knew it is my responsibility to maintain a clean environment and I do not have to wait for my wife to always clean a house we both occupy. So I didn’t need my neighbor’s appreciation. Many people think like this neighbor of mine. There is no law that says that women are responsible for cooking, keeping the house clean or doing any other house chores. Some people feel that men who engage in house chores are weak, stupid or have taken a love portion.
I am aware that I am a father, the priest of my home, a CEO somewhere, or a consultant elsewhere, but when it comes to accomplishing some tasks at home, I do not shift responsibility. When God said that it is not good for a man to be alone, He didn’t mean that a woman is meant just to satisfy a man’s fleshly desire or should stereotypically be assigned certain roles. A woman was created to complement a man’s efforts.
“Now the Lord God said, It is not good (sufficient, satisfactory) that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper (suitable, adapted, complementary) for him.” (Genesis 2:18)
Women’s Complementary Role
This complementary assignment God gave women cuts across every aspect of family life. Some men do not involve their wives in decisions that affect the family. I try as much as I can to listen to my wife’s view point in most decisions that affect our family. On several occasions, my wife has given me ideas that helped fine tune family plans. So it is important that husbands should not sideline their wives when taking important decisions that affect the family. In Ephesians 5:21, the Bible admonishes couples as well to submit to each other. This does not mean that we are supposed to rule over each other. Thayer’s Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament defines “submitting” as “to yield to another’s admonition or advice.” The Bible is telling us to listen to and respect one another.
“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:21-22)
So, the apostle Paul is not saying in Ephesians 5:22 that the husband should dominate his wife as some people misunderstand it.
“Ephesian 5:22 is speaking specifically to the wives and instructing them to listen to their husbands and respect their position in the home” – Kenneth E. Hagin
The Bible does not promote gender inequality. The Bible is promoting a world free of bias, stereotype and discrimination. Every couple and potential couples need Jesus Christ to be at the center of their lives and homes. He is the only Who can help us to love, respect and complement one another. To receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, say this prayer: Lord Jesus, come into my heart. I receive You as my Lord and Savior; I believe that You came, died for me and rose again to save me. Conform me to Your likeness. I declare that I am born again. Amen!
Let’s break the bias. Happy International Women’s Day to all women and girls.
HEM Int'l 