What to Say When

What to Say When:

🧩 If someone says:

“But the Bible says wives must submit.”

Reply:

We are called to submit to God and one another—not to a gender hierarchy. Biblical submission is mutual: “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21). In the original Greek, verse 22 does not have the verb submit. The instruction to wives flows from that same call—likewise—not as a separate command of inferiority.

Ephesians 5:15-21 is talking about Christian living then INCLUDES marriage, which means mutual submission is not just talking about the church. Mutuality is what it looks like to be one IN Christ.

🧱 If someone says:

“You’re rejecting God’s design.”

Reply:

I’m embracing God’s design. Before sin entered the world, God created male and female in His image to govern together (Genesis 1:26–29)—never over each other. His plan has never changed! We are co-heirs, co-laborers, and co-partners in Christ (Romans 16:3, Philippians 1:5, created mutual in worth, authority, and calling—walking in unity, not division or discrimination.

🧭 If someone says:

“You’re just following culture or feminism”

Reply:

If you call yourself a Christian, you are to follow the teachings of Jesus. He never taught male superiority or male-only leadership. Those ideas reflect later philosophical influences, not Christ's teachings. I'm following Jesus, whose mission was to proclaim freedom for captives and set the oppressed free. He consistently honored women, entrusted them with ministry, and broke down systems that oppressed and marginalized them—not built them. Jesus is our example to follow in His earth.

🌿 If someone says:

“So you don’t believe in marriage roles?” (husband has authority women stay home)

Reply:

The Bible never assigns fixed gender roles or teaches that husbands have authority over their wives—not even in Titus 2. Jesus is the Head of His Body, and everything within His Body is mutual. It is not possible for one half of His Body to have His authority while the other half does not. As His Body, every believer is called to serve, lead, disciple, and use their spiritual gifts. I believe in callings, spiritual gifts, and choices- free will—not responsibilities assigned by gender in a Spiritual kingdom. My family thrives because we live in freedom, mutual respect, and love—not obligation, discrimination, or control.

If someone says:

“There is a created order, Adam was first to be the leader”

Reply:

How deep in pride and arrogance does one have to be to think that spiritual leadership has to do with being first. God didn’t even pick the first born to accomplish His will in the earth, most times He picked the last. Isaac chosen over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, Joshep the 11^th son, Moses before Aaron, and David the youngest. Leadership in Christ does not require gender or first in anything, it requires Christlike character, maturity, transformational leadership skills, and fruits of the Spirit. Created order is based on assumptions only.

🔥 If someone says:

“But someone has to lead.”

Reply:

Jesus is the Leader of His Body and the authority in our home. His Authority flows to his whole Body male and female. Biblical leadership is not about hierarchy, control, or gender but about serving one another in love - not one serving. We submit to one another by recognizing each other's God-given wisdom, strengths, and spiritual gifts. When one person's knowledge, experience, or gifting is better suited for a situation, the other gladly follows their lead. That is partnership. God created marriage for men and women to lead together under Christ (Genesis 1:26–29). "Two are better than one" (Ecclesiastes 4:9).

🕊️ If someone says:

“That sounds rebellious.”

Reply:

Jesus was called rebellious by those protecting power, tradition, and legalism. Yet He confronted systems that oppressed people, misrepresented God, and kept them in bondage. Mutualism is deeply rooted in the Greek New Testament, with well over 100 passages reflecting mutual love, mutual service, mutual submission, shared responsibility, and partnership in Christ. Many beliefs about male superiority and hierarchy, however, are built on later assumptions and interpretations rather than what the text actually says.

🌤️ If someone says:

“So you’re against stay-at-home mothers?”

Reply:

Not at all. I chose to stay home and raise my children. Raising children is valuable work, but it should be a free and honored choice—not an obligation or a measure of a woman's worth. No daughter of the King should be treated like a housemaid or property. Neither should women be shamed for working, leading, remaining single—which Paul calls a gift—or using the gifts God has given them. Scripture presents women as leaders, patrons, business owners, and ministers, and some even supported Jesus' ministry financially, not from their husband’s money. I also believe fathers are called to be fully present and invested as parents. Nowhere does Scripture define a father simply as a provider or teach that financial provision belongs only to husbands.

🧠 If someone says:

“You’re twisting Scripture.”

Reply:

I take Scripture, truth and freedom very seriously—but I don't assume every interpretation is correct. Every English Bible is both a translation and an interpretation of the original languages. I test every teaching against the character of God, the teachings of Jesus, the redemption of the cross, and the fruit of the Spirit: love, humility, justice, peace, and freedom. Jesus said, "The truth will set you free" (John 8:32). If an interpretation promotes control, gender prejudice, segregation, discrimination, silencing, or harm, it is not reflecting the heart of God or the teachings of Jesus.

Choosing freedom is not rebellion—it is the evidence of truth.

“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

If I've missed any common responses, or if there are others you hear often, let me know. I'd be happy to add them to the list. Be free to be mighty for Jesus

Please share, many have asked how to handle certain questions.

Be free to be mighty for Jesus.

In freedom and might,

Jeannette

Mighty4Jesus.com