We will never master the spiritual battles discussed in Ephesians 6 if we fail to master the love and submission discussed in Ephesians 5. We are often confused by mutual submission, because we are too quick to think about worldly submission, as in obeying the boss at work or the teacher in a classroom. Certainly, we are not being called to let every brother and sister in Jesus boss us around. It is essential to recognize that, while not everyone can or should have directive authority in our lives (bossing us around), we submit to one another by listening carefully and giving all the other believers recommending and advising authority in our lives.

We begin by being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry as we receive input from other believers, regardless of their station, stature, wealth, or position. The Holy Spirit may be using them to speak to us. We all have blind spots. Scripture says we can't love God, who we cannot see, if we cannot love our brothers, who we can see. (1 John 4:20) It is not much of a stretch to also realize that we cannot submit to God, who we cannot see, if we cannot submit to each other who we can see.

 As a practical matter, we move forward by putting hopes and dreams and plans in front of our circle of believers for their input and feedback before making decisions. And the bigger the decision, the more important we don't rush things and give ample time and opportunity for people to speak into our lives. A husband would do well to give his wife a full and fair hearing on any household or family issue impacting her life. As children grow up, parents do well to discuss major decisions with their children for their input in an age appropriate manner. A Christian business owner would do well to give his managers and employees full and fair hearings of issues impacting their productivity. 

This kind of mutual submission is key for accurately discerning God's will for our lives. Sure, we must always reject advice and input that contradicts Scripture or makes us compromise with evil or sin. But we can be more confident of God's leading when what we think the Holy Spirit is saying to us aligns well with the wise counsel of believing stakeholders as well as with the Bible.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank You for placing other followers of Jesus in my life. I confess that I have often been too slow to ask for their advice and to give their input due consideration. Forgive me for this pride. As I humble myself before Your throne, help me also humble myself before my brothers and sisters in Jesus, inviting them to speak into my life regarding things I may need to change and in the process of discerning Your will for my life. Likewise, help me grow in my knowledge of Scripture and hearing Your Holy Spirit so I can prove trustworthy on occasions where they may ask me for input or where I feel the Holy Spirit is prompting me to speak. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. 

Married: Whether your spouse is a follower of Jesus or not, you are covenanted with that person before God. The encouragement to submit to one another is an act of obedience to our Heavenly Father that brings His peace and favor. Trust that God is able to work with and through your spouse, and He can make a way even where there seems to be no way.

Single: Think about your relationships within the faith community. Are there people you can and should be in mutual submission with? Godly relationships are an encouragement as well as protection for each other from temptation and attacks from the evil one.