Beating a dead (?) horse in the hopes of resurrecting it

Rise up, you women who are at ease, Hear my voice; You complacent daughters, Give ear to my speech. Isaiah 32:9

The discussion continues on RLB's post about polygamy. Commenter, Mensch responds to my request for suggestions on how to change feminist teaching within the Church.

"These days this has to come from other women. For way too long the churches have ignored the call of women to teach other women how to behave, with the result that we have carnage in the church and now we need Titus 2:4-5 on steroids.."

that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Titus 2:4-5

Over at Dalrock's place a few days ago, I responded to commenter Art Deco when he stated: "What constitutes "submission” and “respect” are pretty fuzzy around the edges”:

No, it really is not. Not to the woman who is in submission and respects her husband in all things. There’s a language involved. Her words ask, they don’t tell. Her words edify, always. All of her husband’s needs are in the forefront of her mind, “Would you like something to eat?” “Can I get you anything?” etc. All decisions that haven’t previously been made may be discussed but she defers to him, always. If he needs her to purchase something, find something, do something, whatever, she pauses what she’s doing or requests a minute to finish up what she’s doing and then does what he has requested. She teaches her children that their father’s word is final. She shows them by example how to be meek. And she feels love while doing all of the above. There is no apprehension, cynicism, or begrudging attitudes. A servants heart is a heart overflowing.

A man knows when he is respected as surely as a woman knows (feels) she is loved and treasured. He knows when contention and strife has left his home. He knows when his wife is in a gentle spirit even when she wrestles with moods and hormones, she is cognitive of her behavior and does what must be done so her mood does not upset the tranquility of the home.

To which Art Deco had a series of responses. All of which I'd expect from a secular, feminist woman. When it comes from a religious person, especially a Christian, it really allows me to see how in control Satan is in the hearts and minds of the people of this world. Here are some excerpts from his responses (emphasis mine):

-Sarah, you are being stupidly prescriptive about the banal interactions married couples have.

 -Neither my father, nor my brother, nor myself would have had any need for what “Sarah’s daughter” is peddling over and above what the women of our respective households provided. Marginal utility = 0.

-I live in a world that is and (I hope) with people attempting to cope with what is and give due deference to their responsibilities. Most of my parents’ contemporaries managed that, with the usual rough edges; they were somewhat bewildered by the mess many of their children made out of their lives. They neither spoke like you nor thought like you. You want to imitate the characters in The Stepford Wives, that’s your deal. It is not imperative.

- Peoplegrowing, why you do what you do is not my concern. Sarah’s daughter presented as imperative a view of human relations that cannot even be dignified with the term ‘idealistic’. The rest of us have to deal with our own messy selves and those around us, best we can. And, no, ‘respect and submission to the husband’ is not a strategy, but a general admonition that can have an uncertain appearance in practice.

-“Marginal utility” referred not to any set of persons but to “what “Sarah’s daughter” is peddling”, which is an abstraction. They are satisfied with the pet names they already have, as am I.

Allow me to Bible thump here for a minute to see if the Word of God supports the things I've said:

"Not to the woman who is in submission and respects her husband in all things."

 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Ephesians 5:22

Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Ephesians 5:24

Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:33

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

Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 1 Peter 3:1-2

"There’s a language involved. Her words ask, they don’t tell. Her words edify, always. All of her husband’s needs are in the forefront of her mind, “Would you like something to eat?” “Can I get you anything?” etc. All decisions that haven’t previously been made may be discussed but she defers to him, always. If he needs her to purchase something, find something, do something, whatever, she pauses what she’s doing or requests a minute to finish up what she’s doing and then does what he has requested."

 There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband. 1 Corinthians 7:34

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.  1 Peter 3:3-6

 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Romans 14:19

 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:“Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.”Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31 10-31

"She teaches her children that their father’s word is final. She shows them by example how to be meek."

 She watches over the ways of her household, Proverbs 31:27

Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12

‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 5:16

 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.Deuteronomy 6:6-7

"And she feels love while doing all of the above. There is no apprehension, cynicism, or begrudging attitudes. A servants heart is a heart overflowing. A man knows when he is respected as surely as a woman knows (feels) she is loved and treasured. He knows when contention and strife has left his home. He knows when his wife is in a gentle spirit even when she wrestles with moods and hormones, she is cognitive of her behavior and does what must be done so her mood does not upset the tranquility of the home."

“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. 1 Chronicles 28:9

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Titus 2:1-5

My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Psalm 45:1

Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; Yes, strife and reproach will cease. Proverbs 22:10

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22

I could quote many many more but it is unnecessary. It is not I that will win over Art Deco, or any one whose heart is hardened and who has feminism ingrained in them.

I am not discouraged. It's impossible for me to be. I am living the blessings of all that I wrote above. It would be like eating and enjoying a strawberry, savoring the delicious, sweet juices from it, while someone stands in front of you jaw jacking about how disgusting strawberries taste. That no one should ever eat one because they are poisonous. You would say, "You are an idiot, jaw jacker, not only is this strawberry delicious, it is also nutritious." And it will be up to those listening whether they will trust jaw jacker or what you have to say about the strawberry.

It is my hope those who profess Christ as their Savior read the Bible, and pray about these things. Do not be influenced by the jaw jackers as you seek to live in obedience to God's command. It will take faith that what is commanded will lead to a better, content, happy life. I promise you, promise, promise, promise...the strawberry...it is delicious!