Submission

If there is one word that cults like to throw around, it would be that of submission. And I usually find it starts with a Bible Verse taken way out of context:

• Hebrews 13:17 ESV – 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Being a fan of unspoken truths, notice what it does NOT say:

• Leaders, remind your followers to obey and submit to you. For you must keep watch over them and know what they are up to at all times so that you may give an account.

First of all, this verse is written for a follower to take note of, not the leader. If you have to ask for submission, then it is not submission, it is dominance. Submission is volunteering by choice. If one has a hard time submitting to anything, then it is a red flag that the leader has not earned the trust of submission. The trust issues may be on the part of the follower, but trust is earned; forced submission is never taught. There is no verse that encourages a leader to force a person to submit to a church leader.

Which brings me to the second point. The church leader will not have to one day give an account of why the church had members who were unruly or disobedient, but why their own actions did not earn the trust of their members, who likewise are followers of Christ. That is why the next verse is applied to leaders and not followers:

• Hebrews 13:18 ESV – 18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.

It has been my experience that leaders who require submission do not act honorably in all things, and the follower senses that lack of integrity, even if they can’t quite put their finger on the specific issue.

Someone once said that people may not remember everything you say, but they will remember how you made them feel.

If someone has to ask for submission, run for the hills. It is a red flag indicating a leader who can not be trusted. Trustworthy people do not need to ask for submission; it is freely given. And as a leader, why would you want a follower who is unruly anyway? They will only cause problems. Let those people freely leave.

The only account anyone has to give is for the person in the mirror. Were you a troublemaker who posed as a follower? Or were you a leader who could not be trusted? Both try to force others to their will. Why would one want to hang around either of those people?