1. This is not something new.
a. I Timothy 2:12 - There must have been some who desired
to have the authority over men.
b. I Timothy 5:14,15 - Some had turned aside after Satan.
c. Revelation 2:18-29 - Thyatira allowed a Jezebel to teach
and practice false doctrine.
d. Therefore, the virtuous woman’s role has been
threatened throughout time!
2. VIRTUE = Force, strength (of mind or body); power.
B. We must be alert to the threats that confront the virtuous woman.
1. We must be sympathetic to her problems and needs.
2. We must be scriptural in helping her to meet and overcome all threats.
3. We must be Christ-like in all things.
DISCUSSION:
I. THREATS FROM WITHIN THE CHURCH.
A. The granting of permission or authority to do things that God
has not granted.
1. Congregation where the elders said, “It is all right for
a woman to lead
singing, if the elders
give her permission!”
2. Congregation that on Sunday night meets in homes for studies
and devotionals.
Women lead in prayer. Say, “It is not the assembly!”
3. Congregation that has nine on the “Worship Committee.”
Three are women. They
meet each week and plan
the worship. “The worship this week was planned by…”
4. “The Nashville Jubilee.” (See reports).
B. The marriage, divorce and remarriage question.
1. The Bales “Not Under Bondage” teaching. (See Romans
7:1-4;
Matthew 5:31,32; 19:9).
2. There is nothing taught anywhere else in all the Bible that
changes these truths!
II. THREATS FROM RELIGIONS OUTSIDE THE CHURCH.
A. Denominations are not bound by the Bible, else they would not
be denominations.
1. Some have women “elders”?
2. Some have women “preachers”?
3. Many have a loose attitude toward the Feminist
Movement, abortion, homosexualism, divorce and remarriage,
etc.
B. Women who are not scripturally grounded are easily pulled
into accepting some of these
things as the accepted way of life. Therefore losing their
virtuous way of life.
III. THREATS FROM POLITICAL MOVEMENTS.
A. The E.R.A. and the Feminist Movements.
1. Became a political “hot-bed” in the mid-70’s and continues
to this day.
2. These advocates are not “feminine” and neither do they want
equal rights
for women. It is a fact they do not want pro-life
women to express their
views in their meetings. In fact, they do not want anybody to
have the
right to disagree with any of their demands.
3. This political movement has fostered a greater breakdown
in the dignity
of women than anything of which we have ever been aware.
B. The drafting of women into active duty of the armed forces,
to fight along side men.
1. One only needs to open his mind to reports from the Desert
Storm Operation.
2. Listen to the Navy scandal, etc.
C. The “Pro-Choice Movement.”
1. “Abortion upon demand” advocates rob many women of the strength
to stand
against the murder of the unborn.
2. Abortion is MURDER - Murder upheld and paid for by our government,
using
our tax dollars!
3. “Pro-Choice” advocate is NOT “Pro-Choice.” They object
to a waiting period
for counseling on “Pro-Life” as an alternative to abortion.
4. In fact, they object to any choice except their choice!
IV. LESSONS FROM NEGATIVE BIBLICAL EXAMPLES.
A.
Eve (Genesis 3:6).
1. She was created to be “an help meet for him” (Genesis 2:18).
2. She “being deceived was in the transgression” (I Timothy
2:14).
3. She:
a. Saw.
b. Desired.
c. Did eat.
d. Gave.
4. She, therefore, assumed command of the situation!
B. Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39).
C. Jezebel (I Kings 18).
1. Slew the prophets of God (I Kings 18:13).
2. Through lies and murder of Naboth, took his inherited
vineyard for Ahab
(I Kings 21; cf. Revelation 2:20-23 at Thyatira).
D. Job’s wife (Job 2:9).
“...Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God
and die.”
E. The adultery seeking wife (Proverbs 7:4-23).
F. Herodias (Matthew 14:1-12).
CONCLUSION:
God created woman.
A. She is important to God, her husband, her family, and friends.
B. She has been given a powerful role, one requiring one of strength
to fulfill.
She must be strong to bear children,
teach them, guide the household, and be a Christian wife to
her husband.
D. No man can do what God’s woman is designed to do physically, mentally,
and spiritually.
E. She must never allow any threats to rob her of being GOD’S VIRTUOUS
WOMAN.
Donald F. Rhodes
Mauldin Church of
Christ
P. O. Box 731
Mauldin, SC 29662