I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result. [1Timothy 2:12-14 NLT]
This week we are looking at being on our guard, so being women, this is one area we must be diligent to look at. If we are truly going to be on our guard, then we must first be aware of who we are and our capabilities. We are women. We are made to be loving, nurturing, and for the most part trusting beings. With this comes the fact that we can be more easily deceived than men. It’s not something to be ashamed of or resentful of, but simply aware of. Does this mean that men can’t be deceived? Absolutely not! It simply means Satan can use these great characteristics God built in us to get a foothold and deceive us. We must be aware of this to be on our guard.
My husband’s grandfather had osteoporosis. His mother inherited osteoporosis from her father. The chances are pretty good that my husband or his sister have inherited this as well. Does this mean once my husband turns 55 he’ll never play a sport again? No. But it does mean we’re going to be more aware of what he does and possibly get a bone density check at a later date. Simply ignoring it won’t make it go away, but it could severely hurt him or me. He’s 6’ 6” and 300 lbs. If his leg breaks while I’m standing next to him there’s nothing my 5’ 3” body is going to do to help (except be a crushed pillow).
Being aware that you can be deceived is not saying you have been deceived. However, ignoring the possibility can severely hurt you, your friends, those you influence, and especially those in your mission field. Even as I wrote these devotions, I had two spiritually mature individuals read each one and critique what they read before they were published. Did I believe that I wrote something biblically unsound? Well no, otherwise I wouldn’t have written it, but we have to be careful not to let our pride give Satan a foothold. We cannot assume we can never be deceived. We are the weaker vessel.
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. [1Pe 3:7 ESV]
Don’t be angry with this fact. It’s not a put down. We are different than men, and Praise the Lord for that! Weaker here is similar to delicate. We are like a beautiful china vase or as Jim Henderson describes us: a Rolex watch. We are intricate and easily damaged, where men are more like a hammer—able to withstand continual hard abuse. Our emotions are stronger, but being weaker does not make you lesser, just different. Christ tells us that within the body of Christ, those who would appear weaker and with lesser gifts are indispensable.
On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable [1Co 12:22 ESV]
Within Christ there is no longer male or female positionally before God. But while we are here in our fleshly bodies, we must be aware and be on our guard. We do not want to be the ladies of 2 Timothy 3. “For among them (false teachers) are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.” [2Ti 3:6-7 ESV] The word weak in this verse does not mean delicate as before, but silly. I do not want to be a weak woman. I do not want to be a silly woman. I do not want to always be reading and studying new Bible studies, each with a new author and new philosophies, yet never being able to discern truth. We are to mature in Christ, “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” [Eph 4:14 ESV] The devil has many deceitful schemes. Be careful not to allow him to use them on you. Be aware of your possible short comings and stand firm in the battle.
Reflection Questions:
- Do you hear that woman was first deceived and become defensive?
- How can you use this knowledge from God’s Word to free you and protect you?
Does the word weaker seem the same as lesser to you or just different? Is this from biblical influence or worldly influence?
Scripture Prayer:
Today as we looked for a reflection song, we couldn’t find anything that would direct our minds in a prayerful protection from this danger, so we ask you take this time of reflection to pray through this Psalm for discernment.
O LORD, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised.
Listen to my prayer; rescue me as you promised.
Let praise flow from my lips, for you have taught me your decrees.
Let my tongue sing about your word, for all your commands are right.
Give me a helping hand, for I have chosen to follow your commandments.
O LORD, I have longed for your rescue, and your instructions are my delight.
Let me live so I can praise you, and may your regulations help me.
[Psa 119:169-175 NLT]
