“Women empowerment.”
Two words the world has thrown together and taken on in their own perverted way and has successfully (and unfortunately) brought their take on it into the corporate church where many young girls and older women alike have now fallen into the pride and flesh of it all.
Nowadays, I cannot look about anywhere without seeing women who want the world to hear and feel their “roar.” And when teaching on biblical womanhood, most often they will attempt to use Deborah to contend the Word and then justify the reason on why they are not walking in the role of meekness, quietness, lowliness, and womanhood the Lord has called them to.
Nevertheless, today, dear sisters who have ears, the Lord has brought me to write on real and biblical women empowerment straight from His Word. Not what many of you want to hear, but what you need to hear — and with the utmost love from the throne of God.
I am calling all daughters of the Most High to woman your post.
Who was Deborah?
Deborah was a prophetess, wife of Lappidoth, and was the 4th judge of Israel during her time recorded in the book of Judges (see Judges 4:4). Also known for her leadership through wisdom and discernment in a nation where leadership desperately lacked. Judges were appointed by God anytime apostasies were running rampant throughout His chosen people – the Israelites. All the men had left their posts so she arose by the unction of God to reveal how far Israel had strayed away from Him to the their own shame. For she had to remind (not commanded) Barak, the man in leadership, twice to go and do as the Lord had called him to do and defeat the Canaanites and even then he still did not want to go without her. Even knowing that the honor would go to a woman if he did not go alone (meant to show shame upon the man). What a time of much needed judgement…
And because God is a God of decency and order (see 1 Corinthians 14:40), so though Deborah was in such a position and God was with her, she must have been very humble, modest, wise, gentle, and a good wife to her own husband – and not of her own might, but by the grace of God. For we know God resists the proud and gives more grace unto the humble. She was not a woman wanting the world to hear and feel her silly roar. She was a woman who walked reverently and with much grace unto God in her role as a woman, but the nation was in such distress God called her into a place of stirring up the leaders around her into righteousness. She was a “mother to Israel”, a nurturer, and it is not mentioned that she at the time of her ruling had any actual children of her own who needed her attention.
Let’s go over some very important details of her story and role…
Deborah, in her role as a woman, was not called to go into battle – the man was. God neither called her to lead him into battle, she went beside the man and stayed behind as the men went into actual, physical battle. (She neither cared to boast in herself or make a ministry unto herself or desired to run or degrade men – she only concerned herself that what the Lord said be done. Praise God for the women who are truly and joyfully crucified with and unto Christ.
God called her to awake and “utter a praise”, but unto Barak He commanded to arise and “lead” (reference Judges 5:12) – and utter a praise she so gleefully did in obedience unto Christ!
Here’s the most beautiful part of all…
The song of victory was actually sung of Jael – the woman who was in her tent – her own home, her own post – for she was the woman whom the Lord delivered Sisera unto so that Jabin’s army would be defeated. Why it is so detrimental for you, dear sister, to woman your own post. If Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite, had been out trying to do what the men do or busy trying to make a name for herself in the world she would have not been at her post, let alone in the will of God, to be used and execute victory unto the glory of God (see Judges 4:17-24).
Do you see the importance of us walking in biblical womanhood? This is true women empowerment – weak women empowered by grace through faith for, in, and by Christ and to His glory alone.
If you read the Song of Deborah and Barak (Judges 5), you will see that it is the Lord who is uplifted and glorified first and last. Though He was able to use these humble women to bring glory to His Kingdom it is all about Christ and forever will be.
Feminism (by the world standards) is hell-ish. Yes, and I do mean full of the ways of hell. It is the very opposite of all the Lord calls us to be in Him (see 1 Peter 3:1-6 and 1 Timothy 2:9-12) and shame to the churches who have let that apostasy infiltrate their gathering places.
Being contentious, raunchy, loud, obnoxious, promiscuous, vulgar, prideful, selfish, haughty, dominant and whatever else the world is urging women to be is not the heart of Christ. Not the will of our Father in Heaven. It takes a lot more strength to submit and surrender to the Lord than to be heathens following after our own hearts (which are deceitfully wicked) and fleshly desires to the destruction of our very souls.
Repent. Repent. Repent.
Can women biblically be pastors?
This is something I have been asked quite a lot lately and it scares me spiritually that this is even having to be asked so much, but neither does it surprise me considering the times we are in…
Short answer: No.
Now let’s head to the Bible so that it may be further expounded upon why by the Lord of Hosts Himself:
What are the *required* biblical qualifications for a pastor/bishop within the church according to the Lord in Titus 1:5-9?
5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
And then in 1 Timothy 3:10-13…
And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
“What if a woman is really good at preaching, Mrs. Murrell, or she feels it is her calling?”
There are no loop holes, only lies.
When our feelings contend the Word of God and do not prompt us to draw nigher into His Truth, they deceive. Many great men and women of God have let their feelings get them in trouble at some point in this life I assure you, but God’s children know that feelings are just that. We are not called to walk by or in our fleeting and fickle feelings, but, by the grace of God, our unwavering faith. We as women are naturally more emotional creatures by creation from our all wise Creator. This is good for our roles, but not for leadership of the overall church. Many apostasies have crept into the church from women and men alike because feelings were swayed and truth was ignored.
Just because someone is really good at something does not mean God has called them to do it either. A murderer can be a good murderer, but that does not mean God has called them to do it. Often times God does give gifts (not murdering), but for them to be used His way and to His Glory. I have been told a time or two I should write a book because I have a knack for writing. I do not see it, but if I did, I guarantee you that book would not be called “How To Be a Biblical Husband.” Not my place. I will leave that to the Lord and the men of God He uses.
Your heart is not to be followed, but to be made new that your desires be as Christ’s. You can only follow and serve God in spirit and in truth by first listening to and obeying HIM. Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him.
“Where, then, according to the Word can a woman walk in any role of leadership within the church?”
Great question if this is what you are pondering. A woman can actually lead in many areas (but only women and children), and never as a pastor – but a minister. A teacher. A worship/praise director. But never at all the congregation as a whole. For as the unchanging and unfailing Word of God says in 1 Timothy 2:11-12, “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” And also in 1 Corinthians 14:34, “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.”
“The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”
Titus 2:3-5
And if, as Deborah, she walks in the office of a prophetess appointed to her by the Lord, she is only there to humbly, yet courageously remind the leaders of only what the Lord says in private among the elders. Nothing more. Nothing less, and as any honorable prophet has walked – to the glory of God.
Scriptures that are often misused and out-of-context to support women leading men also…
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Galations 3:28-29
This scripture is not in reference to God-assigned roles in His Kingdom. For God never contradicts Himself. This verse, if truly studied and kept in context, speaks of salvation. God is not a respector of persons in salvation for Christ came and shed His blood for all those the Lord now calls His no matter who they are and what original blood lineage they came from. For we are all now one who are saved are under the blood and been washed by the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Not meaning at all to eradicate and/or merge God-designed gender roles.
“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
Romans 10:4
Just because we are now under grace and not the law does not mean original consequences are done away with. We all still die. Men are still required to work and provide by the sweat of their brow. And we women still have pain through childbirth (I can testify) and are under subjection to our own husbands (which always was), but however now with the sinful desire to rule over him. Because when the first sin came, so did pride…
The law is still good, Christ however fulfilled it in His righteousness because we in our own sorry excuse of our own could not (see Romans 7:7-12). And nothing from it shall pass until all the Lord has said has pass (see Matthew 5:18).
Culture neither triumphs Christ. As many times I have heard, that it was a different time then and/or a different culture. While this is true, God does not change with man’s ways, traditions, or cultures. Old testament and new testament testify of the same Gospel. Anything written in the Bible as far as solid instructions of God to His people stand the test of time (see Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8).
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Mark 16:15
Once again, the Lord here was speaking to men here (His disciples/apostles) so “preaching” was fit.
Studying and teaching Scripture in it’s rightful context is so important.
Please don’t ever just read one or two verses and call it a day. I encourage anyone learning the Word and growing in their walk to always read the whole book at least once. And if not the whole book, at least the full chapter of the verse the first time you study it and the chapters before and after it for good measure. Too many sermons are preached off a verse that do not mean what is preached on. When I was still growing earlier in my walk, I was guilty of teaching like this. This is a part of maturing in the Word. The studying to show oneself approved and having a right answer for everyone. We want to be sure we have the right answer in the wisdom of the Lord and the Word is rightly divided. The Word says one to answer a matter before he hears it, it is to him folly and shame. To teach or preach a verse before even knowing what God meant by it through the Spirit is folly and ashame. Many false teachings and doctrines have been from people pulling from one verse here and there misused out of context to fit what they want.
Always, always, always look at the context. Theology matters; despite what the modern “church” says or does. To know God is to know wisdom and to love it. He says He is the Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him – that must be in every sense of the word.
Lastly, testifying and witnessing are NOT the same as pastoring and preaching…
With much Godly wisdom, guidance, and discretion, share your testimony of salvation of all Christ has done with all who will listen and witness everywhere in the earth you go in speech and, even more so, in deed. The woman at the well exemplifies this command of God for all believers.
In closing…
You are not less than or inferior to men or your husband, your role whether in marriage or in the actual church body is just as vital as any man’s role. God is not “sexist”. He is, however, a God of decency and order and meets us exactly where we are.
A woman can have the passion for spreading and teaching the gospel and do it boldly (that’s beautiful), but a woman pastoring/bishoping/leading a church flock is unbiblical. We can lead women. We cannot lead men. The Word of God stands whether the culture likes it or not. Whether ego likes it or not. Whether we feel like we are more equipped and may know more than another person or not. Even Miriam led the women in worship as Moses led the men (and in entirety the entire flock). God is a God of order – ask Miriam when she tried to usurp authority and question Moses’ authority (Numbers 12:1-10).
A pastor/bishop is a man’s role. Praise God if a man of the Lord hears something the Lord shares with me or you (because women also have spiritual gifts) but a man of God has no biblical business being LED by a woman. And no, a woman does not have to follow all men either. She must be submitted to Christ first and foremost then her husband and then governing authorities as long as it does not oppose on her faith.
Listen, dear sister, who has a passion for teaching and reaching. Do not stop. Do not be discouraged. But do not neglect your role. Woman your post. For God used Jael in the tent. He used Miriam as handmaiden to a royal woman in the palace and then served under the leadership of her brother Moses in the wilderness. He met Mary and Martha in the house. He met the Samaritan woman out getting water for her house. He met Esther in her wifedom to a man who did not even believe in her God. The list goes on. There are so many women out here trying to be like men that they have lost their own beautiful God-given uniqueness. Gentleness. Real femininity. Yes, I can probably do some things if not all things a man can do (and by common sense, I know that not to be true), but I can do what a woman can do so much better and with a lot more favor from my King. Once when I was younger and more foolish, I wanted to take on the world. I wanted it to feel my roar! I laugh at it now. The devil really had me beguiled in sin, but thank God for His Light and Truth. I have no greater desire now than to live wholly and fully unto Christ. Making a big difference through small everyday acts in the place where He has set me – and , oh, how blessed I am for it! I get to help beautiful ladies while raising precious little ones and I would not have it any other way, because I know this is the most powerful place I can be. I woman my post. And thank you, Jesus, for it!
It’s not about us.
If Jesus isn’t truly and purely at the center of it all, it’s vain. In vain. Built in sand and will not stand when we are before Him. Dying to self is not an option for a Christian, it is the life of a Christian.
With abounding love and great prayers for you,
The Redeemed Wife
The Redeemed Wife 