A submission is a voluntary act, while obedience is coerced. In other words, submission is an act of will, while obedience is an act of force. When we submit to someone or something, we do so willingly and with full understanding of what we are doing. We are not being forced into it. On the other hand, when we obey someone or something, we do so because we have no choice. We may not agree with what we are being asked to do, but we do it anyway because we have to.
What is submission?
Submission is often considered a weakness, something we must do begrudgingly. But in reality, submission is a strength. It takes a strong person to submit to another.
When we submit to someone, we are saying that we trust them and respect them enough to follow their lead. We are placing our faith in them that they will guide us correctly. Submission is not about giving up our power or making ourselves powerless; it’s about entrusting someone else with the power to help us achieve our goals.
What is obedience?
On the other hand, obedience is often thought of as blindly following orders without question. This type of obedience can be harmful because it doesn’t allow for critical thinking or personal growth. True obedience is about doing what is right, even when it’s difficult because we trust that the person giving the orders has our best interests at heart.
Submission Vs. Obedience – Key differences
In a nutshell, obedience is about following orders, while submission is about giving up control.
One key difference between obedience and submission is that obedience is often seen as a positive trait, while submission is often seen as a negative trait. For example, we might say that a good soldier is obedient, but we might not say that a good wife is submissive.
So, submission is voluntary and based on trust, while obedience is often coerced and based on fear. When we submit to someone, we are choosing to follow their lead because we believe they will help us reach our goals. When we obey someone, we are often doing so because we are afraid of the consequences if we don’t.
Obedience is defined as the act of carrying out an order or command. Submission, on the other hand, is the act of yielding to someone else’s authority or will.
Another difference between these two terms is that obedience usually refers to following orders from someone in a position of authority, while submission can refer to yielding to anyone’s authority or will. For instance, you might obey your boss’s commands, but you might also submit to your partner’s wishes.
When to use submission and obedience
(Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)
There are many instances when it is appropriate to submit or obey. For example, submission is often required in relationships, such as when a spouse submits to his/her partner or when children submit to their parents. Additionally, submission may be necessary in workplaces and other hierarchal structures. Finally, obedience is typically required by those in positions of authority, like police officers or teachers.
Of course, there are also times when submission and obedience are inappropriate. For example, submitting to demands for sex or money would be wrong. Similarly, obeying orders that involve breaking the law would also be improper. In general, using good judgement will help you determine when submission or obedience is the right choice.
What is submissive behaviour?
People may submit to others out of love, respect, or admiration, while they may obey others out of fear or coercion. Submission may be active or passive; people may actively cooperate with those in authority over them or they may simply acquiesce to their demands. Finally, submission is usually directed at individuals, while obedience is often directed at institutions or abstract concepts such as laws.
Despite these differences, submission and obedience share some important features. Both involve yielding to the wishes or authority of another and both can be motivated by factors such as love, respect, fear, or coercion. Moreover, both can result in compliance with an order, request, or law. For these reasons, the two terms are often used interchangeably.
What does submission look like?
It depends on the context, but generally speaking, it looks like respect, obedience, and humility. It’s recognizing that someone else has the right to lead, and following their lead out of love and respect.
Does submissive mean obedient?
The quick answer is “no.”
Submission is not the same thing as obedience, though the two concepts are often confused. To submit simply means to yield to someone else’s authority or will. It is an act of surrendering oneself to another person. When you submit, you are relinquishing control and giving yourself over completely to someone else.
Obedience, on the other hand, is blindly following orders without question. It is a submissive act, but it does not require yielding control or giving up one’s own will. You can obey someone without submitting to them entirely.
In a relationship, submission is often seen as a sign of trust and respect. It is an act of love and faithfulness. When you submit to your partner, you are saying that you trust them enough to let them take the lead. You are confident in their abilities and faith that they will make decisions that are in your best interest.
Obedience, while similar, is not always motivated by trust or respect. Sometimes people obey out of fear or coercion. This type of obedience does not come from a place of love or confidence, but from a place of insecurity and fear.
What causes a person to be submissive?
There are a variety of factors that can cause a person to be submissive. In some cases, it may be due to a desire to please or appease others. In other cases, it may be the result of a need for approval or validation. And in still other cases, it may be simply due to fear or insecurity. Whatever the underlying reason, submission is typically characterized by a willingness to yield to the authority or will of another.
What causes a person to be obedient?
Many factors can cause a person to be obedient. In some cases, it may be due to fear of punishment or reprisal. In other cases, it may be because the person feels they have no other choice or because they want to please the authority figure. Additionally, obedience can be a learned behaviour – if a person sees others around them being obedient, they may start to believe that it is the right thing to do and follow suit.
Featured Image by Hannah Busing on Unsplash
