Discipline of submission (Christianity)

Self-will implies the heavy burden of requiring to get one's own way and of suffering if thwarted. The discipline of submission implies giving way to another and this leads to an ability to discriminate matters of intrinsic importance from those important only to self-will. It is important to distinguish mere outward obedience disguising inner rebellion from a spiritual submission and self denial which truly and unconditionally gives up individual ideas of rights and personal success in order to serve others. Interestingly, the act of self-denial, rather than submerging the individual in loss of identity, leads to a fuller awareness of identity and self worth. Voluntary submission to another, even in conditions where such submission would be coerced if not accepted voluntarily, implies the acceptance of moral responsibility and the freedom to make the decision.

The corollary of this approach is the self-denial which compels the dominant partner in a situation not to take advantage of this dominance but to exercise consideration and restraint. This mutual submission in, for example, a master-slave relationship, sets both parties free to be more truly themselves and to appreciate each other. A further corollary is that, where it is necessary to refuse to submit for moral or religious reasons, such refusal can be submissive, with the implication that the consequences of such a refusal will be accepted without complaint.

Seven acts of submission are enumerated, first to God, second to scripture, and then in widening order, family, neighbours, community, the despised and oppressed, the world at large.