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ABiblicalResponsetotheFeminist
Agenda
ThefollowingmessagewasdeliveredatGraceCommunityChurchinPanoramaCity,California,by
JohnMacArthurJr.
Itwastranscribedfromthetape,GTY44,titled"ABiblicalResponsetotheFeministAgenda."A
copyofthetapecanbeobtainedbywriting,WordofGrace,P.O.Box4000,PanoramaCity,CA
91412orbydiallingtollfree180055GRACE.
Ihavemadeeveryefforttoensurethatanaccuratetranscriptionoftheoriginaltapewasmade.
PleasenotethatattimessentencestructuremayappeartovaryfromacceptedEnglish
conventions.Thisisdueprimarilytothetechniquesinvolvedinpreachingandtheobviouschoices
Ihadtomakeinplacingthecorrectpunctuationinthearticle.
ItismyintentandprayerthattheHolySpiritwillusethistranscriptiontostrengthenand
encouragethetrueChurchofJesusChrist.TonyCapoccia
Copyright1993byJohnF.MacArthur,Jr.Allrightsreserved.
HyperjumptoSource
LetusopenourBiblestoTitus,chapter2.InourstudyofthesecondchapterofTitusweare
consideringitunderthetitle,"TheCharacterofaHealthyChurch."InthischaptertheApostle
Paulgivesinstructiontothechurchastohowitistoconductitself.Hedirectshisinstructionto
oldermen,olderwomen,youngerwomen,youngermenselectingeverycategorywithinthe
churchandgivingbasicallysomedirectandspecificinstructiontothem.Thisisverycrucialtothe
lifeofthechurch,notonlyforitsowninternalwellbeing,butforthesakeofitswitness.Hesays,
inverse5,that"ThisinstructionissothattheWordofGodmaynotbedishonoured."Verse8,"So
thattheopponentmaybeputtoshame,havingnothingbadtosayaboutus."Andverse10,"So
thatwemayadornthedoctrineofGodourSaviourineveryrespect."Thoseareevangelistic
matters.WewanttheWordofGodhonouredwewanttheopponentsofChristianitysilencedand
wewantGodourSaviouradorned.
Let'slookatverses3,4,and5,
Olderwomenlikewise,aretoreverentintheirbehaviour,notmaliciousgossips,notenslavedto
toomuchwine,teachingwhatisgood,thattheymayencouragetheyoungwomentolovetheir
husbands,tolovetheirchildren,tobesensible,pure,workersathome,kind.Beingsubjecttotheir
ownhusbands,thattheWordofGodmaynotbedishonoured.
Oneoftheresponsibilitiesoftheolderwomen,whichwenotedwhenwediscussedthat,isthat
theyaretoteachtheyoungerwomen,andhereitisveryspecificwhattheyaretoteach,as
indicatedinverses4and5.Godhasdesigned,veryclearly,Hisownorderfortheconductof
youngwomen,justasHehasforyoungmenandolderfolksaswell.Ifthereisanythinginour
culturethatisbeingattackedmoreviciouslythananyother,itisthismatteroftheroleofyoung
women.Infact,ifIweretotitlethismessagealone,Imighttitleit"TheFeministAttackonthe
DivineOrderforWomen."Wearegoingthroughthatrightnow.NomatterwhatIwouldsayabout
verses4and5itwouldbecontroversial.IfIjustreadititwouldbecontroversial.
Oneofthemostdevastating,anddebilitating,anddestructivemovementsinourdayisthe
"FeministMovement."Itischangingnotonlytheworldbutsadlyitischangingthechurch,andas
aresulttheWordofGodisbeingdishonouredopponentsarehavingplentybadtosayaboutus
andGodourSaviourisbeingdishonouredandshamed.Radicalfeminismhasbrainwashedour
culture.Ithasbrainwashedourculturetothedegreethateventhechurchhasfallenvictimto
this.Churchleaders,theologians,professorsoftheologywhoaresupposedtobeprofoundinthe
Scripture,aswellaslaypeopleinthechurchhaveboughtthefeministlies.Therewasevenan
organisationinAmericacalled"CBE"havingtodowithChristiansforEquality,andthisisan
evangelicalgroupadvocatingafeministagenda.
Marriageandthefamily,theprimarybuildingblocksofsocialandmoralorder,areinshamblesin
ourcountryandthefutureisevenworsethanthepresent.UnthinkingChristians,unthinking
believers,notjustinliberalchurchesbutinevangelicalchurches,unthinking,untaughtChristians
arefallingpreytothisagenda.Thesadthingisthatmostofushavenoideawhereitiscoming
from.Mostofusthinkthatthisisjustalotofwomenwhoreallyjustwantsomeliberationand
somefreedomandthey'retiredofcleaningfloorsandwashingdishes,andtheywantequalpay,
andtheywantequaljobs,andtheywanttogetoutfromunderthemundanedutiesandexpress
themselvesinmoregrandiosewaysthantheythinktheycaninthehomethatmaybea
contemporarycomponentthatisn'tevenremotelyrelatedtothereasonforthis.
Therealfeministagendaisfrightening.TherealfeministagendaisSatanicandyouneedto
understandthat,soIamgoingtodosomethingthismorningthatisabitunusual.Ratherthan
divingrightintothetextthismorning,Iwanttogiveyousomeunderstandingofwherethis
movementtodayhascomefrom,sothatyouwillseethattextinitsproperlight.

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Whatthepublicseesiswomenwhowanttobefree.Infact,thereisevenabookpublishedbya
ChristianpublisherwrittenbyaChristianwoman,called,"WomanBeFree"andwethinkthatthis
isamovementaboutfreedomforwomen,freedomfromstricturesthatbindthemtotheir
husbandsandtheirchildrenandtheirdutiesinthehome.Weseeitasacryforequalityina
societythatispreoccupiedwithlifeandlibertyandthepursuitofhappinessacryforopportunity
andprivilegetousetheirabilitiesandtheirskillsunhinderedandunrestrictedandsometimesthe
rhetoricdoessoundreasonable.Buttherealagendaisnotreasonableitisfrightening.
Letmehelpyoutounderstandsomeofthephilosophythatisbehindthismovement,bygivingyou
somequotesfromtherecognisedleadersofthefeministmovement:
GloriaStimenn(sp.)says,"Bytheyear2000wewill,Ihope,raiseourchildrentobelieveinhuman
potential,notGod."
RadicalfeministleaderSheilaCronam(sp.),whoisoftquotedbytheway,saysthis,"Since
marriageconstitutesslaveryforwomen,itisclearthatthewomen'smovementmustconcentrate
onattackingthisinstitution.Freedomforwomencannotbewonwithouttheabolitionofmarriage."
The"DeclarationofFeminism"goesbacktoNovemberof1971whentheylaidouttheiragendaand
thisiswhatitsays,"Theendoftheinstitutionofmarriageisnecessaryfortheliberationof
womentherefore,itisimportantforustoencouragewomentoleavetheirhusbandsandnotlive
individuallywithmen.Allofhistorymustberewrittenintermsofoppressionofwomen.Wemust
gobacktoancientfemalereligionslikewitchcraft!"Markthat,"Wemustgobacktoancient
femalereligionslikewitchcraft!"
AnneLoriGaylor(sp.)writinganarticlecalled"FeministSalvation"inthe"Humanist"in1988says,
"Let'sforgetaboutthemythicalJesusandlookforencouragement,solace,andinspirationfrom
realwomen.2,000yearsofpatriarchalruleundertheshadowofthecrossoughttobeenoughto
turnwomentowardsthefeministsalvationoftheworld."
Dr.MaryJoBane,feminist,AssistantProfessorofEducationatWelsleyCollege,andtheAssociate
Directoroftheschool'sCentreforResearchonWomen,writes,"Inordertoraisechildrenwith
equalitywemusttakethemawayfromfamiliesandcommunallyraisethem."
Andthatwellknownname,MargaretSanger,thefounderofPlannedParenthood,writinganarticle
called"WomenintheNewRace,"saysthis,"Themostmercifulthingalargefamilycandotoone
ofitsinfantmembersistokillit."
Wecannotthinklightlyaboutthisagendawehavetothinkdeeplyaboutit.Thefactthatyou
mayfeelinyourheartsomeneedtobefreebecauseyoubecomevictimisedbythecurrent
agenda,doesn'treallymeanthatyoureallyunderstandtheagenda.Youdon'tknowthatbehind
thisentirefeministmovementissomeverySatanicreligiousphilosophy,anditrunsverydeepin
thepeoplewhoareinfluencingourculture,thepeoplewhohaveinfluenceddeeplyandprovided
thewholeagenda,tosay,HillaryClintonandmanyothers.Andwehavetotaketheseideasvery
seriouslybecausetheyareintheWhiteHouse,andnowtheywillbecreatinglawsthatwehave
toliveby.Theyareobliteratingourculture.Theyarebeingtaughtthrougheveryavenuetoour
youth,andevenChristiansarefallingunderthespellofthefeminists.
SheilaCroonan(sp.)again,writingintheNationalOrganisationofWomenTimes,inJanuaryof
1988,said,"Thesimplefactis,everywomanmustbewillingtoberecognisedasalesbiantobe
fullyfeminine!"Now,somepeoplemightthinkthatthisissomekindofa20thcenturyphenomena,
thatthisissomekindofanewthingconnectedtoAmericandemocracyandegalitarianismitis
notitisolditisvery,veryold.Thoughinourtime,inourcenturyitisanexpressionoftheanti
male,homosexualwomenwhogeneratedit,itisnotahumancreationatallitisSatanic
absolutelyandutterlySatanic.Iwanttotakeyoubacktosomeofitsoriginssothatyoucan
understandit.
Feminismwithallofitsassortedfeaturesanditsuniquecompanionshipwithhomosexualityisan
old,oldheresythatismeanttodestroyGod'sdesign.ItreallystartedintheGardenwhenEve,
theoriginalfeminist,steppedoutfromunderAdam'sauthorityandthoughtthatshewouldact
independentlyandledthewholeraceintosinandthusthefirstactinSatan'sfeministagenda
wassuccessful.
Let'sgoback,say,tothetimeoftheNewTestament.Wewon'tgoallthewaybackintoancient,
ancienttimewecanlearnenoughbygoingbackintoNewTestamenttimes.Whenwegetback
intothetimeoftheNewTestament,beforetheNewTestament,runningthroughtheNew
Testamentandafter,wehaveareligionthatisgenerallyknownasGnosticism.Itcomesfroma
Greekword"gnosis"whichmeans"toknow."Gnosticismwasthereligion,themysticalreligionof
superiorknowledge.Youcouldexperiencemystical,intuitive,spiritualknowledge,whichwashigher
thantheBiblethatwasthewholepointofit.ItwasanantiGod,antichrist,antiBiblicalreligion
designedbySatantolurepeopleawayfromScripture.Whatyouseetodayinthefeministagenda
isarepackaging,areincarnationofancientGnosticism.Infact,theparallelsareverystriking.
PeterJones,writinginhisbook,veryinterestingbook,"TheOccultEmpireStrikesBack,"says,
"Gnosticismisabroadtermtodescribefalse,antiGodreligiondevelopedbeforethebirthofChrist
asthemeetingofthemysticismoftheEasternreligionsandtherationalismoftheGreekWest."
That'sjustabroaddefinition.GnosticismtookGreekRationalism(i.e.,themusingsandthemindof
man)andEasternMysticism(thoseintuitive,esoteric,fanciful,imaginatoryexperiencesthat
mysticssupposedlyhave),andwedthemtogetherandsaid,"Thisisthehigherknowledge,thisis
theloftyknowledge,thisisthesuperiorknowledge."Itisveryhardtopindownspecificsinthe
Gnosticreligionbecauseitisakaleidoscopicmixtureofallkindsofmysticalthings,andanytime
thatyouhaveamysticalreligionitissomewhatamorphousorshapelessbecauseittendstoebb
andflowinthemindsandtheimaginationsofitsadherents.
Today,Gnosticreligioniscalledthe"NewAgePhilosophy,"butit'sGnosticismit'sthesamething.
It'sanewkindofmystical,higherlevelofknowledgethatissupposedlyshowstheweakness,the
mundanecharacterofBiblicalChristianity.
Now,let'slookatGnosticismandgetsomeideaofwhatitis.Thebestwaytodefineitisbywhat
itattacked,ratherthanwhatitis,becauseasIsaid,itissoamorphous,itissosubjectto
imaginationandintuitionthatitcanspinoffinallkindsofways.Buttheonethingyoudoseein
GnosticismisthatitcontinuallyblastseverythingtheScriptureaffirms.Soyoucanknowitby
whatitattacks.
AttheheartofancientGnosticismwasacentralmyth,andthatcentralmythdrovethewhole
heresy.Hereisthatmyth:themythwasthatthephysicaluniversewasneverintendedtoexist
it'spartofthatoldGreekdualism"Thatmatterisevilandspiritisgood."Buttheideawaswewere
allsupposedtobefreespirits,andfreespiritswithfullselfknowledgewouldbedivine,andwe
werejustsupposedtofloataroundinthemysticalfreeworldofspiritlife,unencumberedand
uninhibitedbyphysicaldefinitionandconfinement.But,thephysicaluniversecameintobeing,and
itcameintobeing,theysaid,becauseafoolishsubgodcreatedtheuniverse.
IfyoureadancientGnosticliteratureyouwillseethattheyattacktheCreatorGod,theymock
Him,theydisdainHimwithadisdainthatevenhascomponentsofhatredinit.Theyhatethe
CreatorGodwhomadematterbecausetothemmatterwasevil,anditbecomestheprisonofthe
freefloatingspirit.
AccordingtoonerecentlydiscoveredGnostictext,GodtheCreatorispresentedas,"Blind,
ignorant,arrogant,thesourceofenvy,andtheycallhimthe'FatherofDeath.'"Gnosticsbelieve
thatthisfakegodsomehow(andtheyhavetobelievethisortheirwholethingwouldfallapart)
thisfakegodsomehow,whenhecreatedtheuniverse,accidentallyinfusedintohumanitysome
sparkofdivinelife.Theywouldhavetosaythatortheywouldhavenowaytofanthesparkof
divinelifethattheywanttobelievethatisinthem.Sothatmanisdivine:thereisalittle
componentofdivinityinhimwhichheneedstofanuntilitjustconsumeshimandhebecomesfully
divine.Buthereisthismanwiththedivinespark,orthiswomanwithadivinesparkimprisonedin
evilmatter,andhehastofind,orshehastofind,awaytoescape.
Gnosticstaughtthatthereisnosuchthingassin,becausethereisnosuchthingasrightand
wronginthehumanrealmtherefore,thereisnoneedforaSaviour,thereisnoneedforadeath
onthecross,thereisnoneedforanatonement.Whattheyneededtodotobesavedwas(listen
tothis)"ThrowofftheGodoftheOldTestamentthisevilGod."ThrowofftheGodoftheNew
TestamentwithallofHislawsandallofHisthreats,andallofHissocalledpunishment.Throwoff
thewholeOldandthewholeNewTestamentandfreeyourselffromtheencumberingofthis
subgod,thisbunglingcreatorwhodidwhathenevershouldhavedoneandcreatedaprisonforus
indoingit.
SoyoucanseethatthefirsttenetoftheirsystemwasablasphemyagainstGodcallingGodevil,
bungling,ignorant.Thesystemalsoincluded(listentothis)liesthatelevatedwomen.Ancient
Gnosticismfocusedonwomen,thisiswhatitsaid,forexample,"Evewasaspiritendowedwoman
whosavedAdam."Theysaid,"Finalsalvationforthewholeworldfromtheimprisonmentofmatter
willcomethroughfemalepower,andthekeyisfemaleselfactualisation,selfrealisation,self
knowledge,inwhichawomanbecomessofullyintunewithherselfandsowellknowsherself,and
actualises,andrealisesandfulfilsherselfthatshebecomesfullydivine,andasshebecomesdivine
shewillrescuetherestoftheselamemenjustlikeEve,fullydivine,rescuedpoorAdam."
Infact,convolutingthecreationaccount,GnostictextstellusthatDameWisdomwasthe
heavenlyEve.Therewasamysticalheavenlywomannamed"TheHeavenlyEve"whoisthesame
asDameWisdom(sheisthesourceofallwisdom).Sheenteredthesnakeinthegarden,andshe
taughtbothAdamandEvethetruewayofsalvation.Thesnakethenisnotcalledthe"Tempter,"
thesnakeinGnosticliteratureisthe"Instructor."Thesnakeisultimatewisdom,thesnakewas
wiserthananybodyelse.Thesnake,itsaysinGnosticliterature,istheredeemerbecausethe
snakeistheincarnatedwomanwhocomestoheavenlyEveandteachesthetruthaboutself
realisation,whichisselffulfilment,whichismakingyourselfdivine,whichdeliversyoufrombeing
encumberedbymatter.
Theyalsosaythis,"TheserpentinthegardenisthetrueChrist,thetruereflectionofGod."So,
theytakeredemptivehistoryandstanditonitsheadlikeaSatanistcrossinaBlackMass.Godis
evil,theserpentinthegardenisthetrueChrist,ChristintheNewTestamentthereflectionof
Godisequallyevil.Now,againIsay,itishardtopinallthisstuffdown,it'smysticalstuff,but
youcanseenotsomuchbywhatitis,theclarityofit,butbywhatitattacks.Right?Itattacks
God,Christ,theBible,Creation.
"Thoughcaughtinmatter,"theysay,theGnostics,"humanityonceagaincanbecomepartofthe
universalwholebyaprocessofselfrealisation."TheysayintheBookofGenesis,"Thelackof
selfrealisationisreallytheproblemthatmanhas."TheBiblesaysthatman'sproblemissinsin!
Andtherootofhissinishisselfpreoccupation,sotheyflipthatcompletelyaround.
SotheheartandcoreofGnosticreligionthenisthe"consubstantialityofselfwithGod"youmake
yourselfintoGod.YouaretheonlyGodthatexists:yougetintunewithyourself,youelevate
yourselfselfesteem,selfknowledge,selfactualisation,selfrealisation,selffulfilmentwhatever
yourselfwantsthat'showyoubecomeGodyoujustgivecompleteswaytoyourownself
desire.
[TheGnosticssay]"SothehumanplightisnotbecausewehavemoraloffencesagainstGod,but
weareignorantofhumanpotential."Listentothis,accordingtoGnosticwriting,"TherealChrist's
spiritactuallysatonthebranchofatreewatchingtheChristonthecrossandlaughedatHim."
LetmereadtoyoufromtheApocalypseofPeter(oneoftheirancientdocuments),thisisfrom
thatApocalypse,
Hewhomyousawonthetree,gladandlaughing,thisisthelivingJesus,buttheoneinwho's
handsandfeettheydrivethenailsisthefleshlypart,whichisthesubstitutepartbeingputto
shame,theonewhocameintobeinginHislikeness.Bestrong,foryouaretheonetowhomthese
mysterieshavebeengiventoknowthemthroughrevelation,thathewhomtheycrucifiedisthe
firstbornandthehomeofdemons,andHewhostandsnearhimisthelivingSaviour.
TheearthlyChristisademonthespiritualmysticalChristinthetreelaughingisthetrueChrist.
Further,theysaid,"SincethetrueChristneverdied,thereisnoresurrection."Redemption,then,
isnotagracious,miraculoustransformationofapersonthroughthesacrificeofChrist.
Redemptionisselfunderstanding,selfactualisation,thatis,givingswaytoanythingyourself
wants:gettingoutofthestrictures,gettingoutofthelimits,gettingoutoftheprison,beingfree.
PeterJoneswritesthat,"TheGnosticbelieversaresavedwhentheyrealisewhotheyare:apart
ofthedivine,processingwithinthemselvesthekingdomcapableofanythinguntrammelledby
humantraditions,creationalstructures,ordivinelaws.Itfollowsthatpartofselfredemptionis
therejectionofBiblicalethicalnormsandthepromotionofthedistortionofBiblicalsexuality."In
fact,theysay,"Thatwhenapersoncomestofullselfknowledgehebecomesanotherliving
Christ,andsincetheserpenthadthatknowledgetheserpentwhowasthewomanisalsothe
truelivingChrist."Everythingtwistedandperverted.
GnosticismistheblasphemyofSatanicdistortionofGod'struth:
TheBiblesays,GodisagoodGodandHeisthesovereignGodtheGnosticsdenieditand
blasphemedHisname.
TheBiblesays,ChrististheLivingGodincarnateinfleshtheGnosticsblastedit,blasphemedHis
name.
TheBiblesaysthesnakewasthetemptertheysaythesnakeiswisdompersonifiedwhoisthe
instructor.
TheBiblesaysJesusdiedonacrossforyoursinstheGnosticssaysthattheJesusthatdiedon
thecrosswasajoke.
Obviously,thisisSatan'slyingheresytoconfoundGod'struth.ThisblasphemousstufftheApostle
Paulwroteagainst,eveninhisepistlesintheNewTestament.Itisthedoctrineofdemonsfrom
seducingspirits.Thiswasn'tinventedbyGloriaSteinem(sp.)andBellaApsburg(sp.),thiswas
inventedinthepitsofhellmillenniaago.
Now,totheverycentralelementinthisandthatistheissueof"Feminism."Whatroledid
feminismplayinGnosticism?Well,itplayedavery,veryimportantrole,asItoldyoualready.Eve
wasthesaviourofAdamandfurthermore,thespiritualorheavenlyEvewasthepersonificationof
wisdomintheserpentwhobecametheinstructor,andbythus,hisinstructionsetsouttosave
men.Butlet'stakealookatsomeotherthings.
IntheGnosticsystem,EvedominatesAdamandsexualrolesaretotallyaltered.Andyoucan
understandthis,becauseSatanwantstototallytearupGod'screatedorder.Theywrote(the
earlyGnosticsdid)that
Thedivinerevealerwasfeminine.Thedivinerevealersaid,"IamAndrogynous.Iambothmother
andfather,itisthroughmealonethattheallstandsfirm.Iamthewombthatgivesshapetothe
allbygivingbirthtothelightthatshinesinsplendour.Iamtheaeontocome.Iamthefulfilment
oftheall,thatis,thegloryofthemother."
Now,allofthatdoubletalkisthetalkoftheAndrogynyofGnosticism:thatmeansthewipingout
ofallsexualdistinction.ThereareGnostictextswhereGodtheCreatoriscastigatedbyahigher
femininepower.That'sthatheavenlyEvecalled"Sophia"DameWisdom.And,"GodtheCreator,"
theGnosticssaid,"finallylearnedthatthefearoftheLordisthebeginningofwisdom."Inother
words,Helearnedtofearthefeminine"Sophia,"sothattheGodoftheBibleisnowinfearofthe
femininegod"Sophia."Thefeminisation,then,ofthishigherGod"Wisdom"leddirectlytothe
ordinationofwomen.Theordinationofwomenflowsoutofthefeminisationofdeity.
TheearlyGnostic,wellknowntochurchhistorystudents,named"Marcion,"wasexcommunicated
fromthechurchinA.D.150.Hethenestablishedhisownchurch,inwhichheappointedwomenas
bishopsandpriests.IntheValentinianGnosticism,womenfunctionedasteachers,evangelists,
healers,priests,perhapsasbishops.Thismovementinthechurchtoputwomenintherolesof
spiritualleadershipissimplyreflectiveofthissamekindofreligiousattitude.Insum,Gnosticism,
then,rejectstheCreatorGodofScriptureasblind,andenvious,malicious,nothesitatingto
committhemostheinousblasphemyofall.TheGnosticsevencalledtheGodoftheBible"The
TrueDevil."ForthetrueGnostic,therealGod,whoeverthisforcewas,wasunknowable,
impersonal,untouchablesomekindofunifiedsumofseparatedpartsasortofpantheisticforce.
Buttheysaidthis,"Thedivinebeing,becauseheisallandall,impersonal,untouchablejustthis
bigforceisbestexpressedby'androgyny,'thatis,theerasureofmaleandfemaledistinctions."
TheidealfortheGnosticwastobecomesexlessaradicalrefusalofsexualdifferentiation,anda
completeconfusionofsexualidentityandGod'sintendedrole.
See,thisishowSatanhasalwaystriedtotearupGod'smoralorderintheworld,andattacking
thefamily,ofcourse,doesthegreatestdamage.DiabolicalreversalofeverythingisSatan's
approach.DestroyGod'screatedorderdestroytheintegrityofScripturedestroythecharacter
ofGoddestroythenameofChrist.
Beloved,Iamtellingyouthisiswhatisbehindtoday'sfeministmovement.Thisisnotsome
whimsicaldealthatpoppedupinthe20thcenturybyafewwomenwhowantedtotakeoffthe
apronandbuyabriefcasethisisnotthat.Thisisnotsomethingthatwasinventedbywomen
whowantedtoaborttheirbabiesandgetintothecorporatehallsandtheexecutivewashrooms.
This"NewAge"thinking(that'swhatitiscalledtoday)isnothingbut"Gnosticism.""NewAge"isa
newwayoftalkingaboutageoldGnosticism.Theheartofitisthatfemalepoweristhekeyto
salvation.The"GoddessCult"isback!
ShirleyMcClainwroteabookcalled"GoingWithin,"andinherbookshewritesthisdedication,
"DedicatedtoSachi(sp.),MotherKathleenAnbila(sp.),andalltheotherwomenandmenwho
seekthespiritualfeminineinthemselves.Maleismatter,matterismale,matterisevil,maleisevil,
feminineisspirit,spiritisfeminine,andthat'sgood."
Radicalfeminismtodayisbeingmovedalongbytheideathatwomenmustbeliberatedandthey
canredeemhumanitytheycansavehumanity.Thesearethephilosophersthataredrivingthe
movementthereligionists:"CreatorGodofGenesishastogo,Heismale,tyrannical,hedenies
basichumanliberties,Hedemandstotalobedience,Hethreatenspunishmentforevildeeds."
Consequently,"Originalsinisnottobefoundinman,"theysaid,"butinGod.Feministliberation
releasesusfromGod,andfromallHisevilmalevalueslikemarriage,fidelity,family,authority,
andmorality.TheserpentEvewantstosetusfree!TheGodoftheBibleisajealoustyrantwho
wantstostandinherway."
SowhenyouhearabouttheMethodists,orthePresbyterians,orwhatever,ortheEpiscopalians,
decidingtochangetheBibleandputin"She"youknowthatthisisnotsomehumancontrivance
tomakeladiesfeelbetteraboutthemselvesthisisaSatanicreligion,asSatanicasa"Black
Mass!"And,aswithancientGnosticism,theNewAgemovementtoday,thegoalofliberation,is
totalreversalofallGodordainedvalues!That'swhyitissounthinkablethatChristianswouldget
suckedintothis!
"IfoundGodinmyselfandIlovedherfiercely,"saidRomanCatholictheologianCarolKrist(sp.)."I
foundGodinmyselfandIlovedherfiercely,"thereyouhaveinonesimplestatementthewhole
deal.WhereisGod?Inmyself.WhatisGod?Feminine!And,IamonewithGod.AndshefoundGod
inherselfwithliberationfromallBiblicalconstraint.
ThepathtotheNewAgeinvolvesdestroyingtheBiblicalmaleandfemaledifferentiationthat's
NewAgefeminism.TakeforexampleNewAgeauthorCharleneSprentnack's(sp.)book,"The
PoliticsofWomen'sSpirituality,"publishedbyDoubleday,(bythewaythesamepublisherthat
publishedtheAnchorBibleCommentaryseriestheyarepublishingGod'sWordandSatan'satthe
sametime).Thisbook,"ThePoliticsofWomen'sSpirituality"isabookthatcallsforanendto
JudaeoChristianreligion,andthecallisthatwewillendJudeaoChristianreligionbyafeminist
movementnourishedongoddessworshippaganismandwitchcraftthatsucceedsinoverthrowing
theglobalruleofmen.Feminismwantsrevenge.
Theirrealideologicalgoal,becauseit'sSatan'sgoal,istoabsolutelyeraseanyrecollectionof
creationalstructureandBiblicalmoralitywipeitout!Andtheyareafterit!Youwonder,don't
you,twogenerationsfromnowwhetheranyonewillknowwhatBiblicalmoralityis.Well,they
mightbeabletoreadtheancientBibleandseewhatitlookedlike,buttheycertainlyaregoingto
haveahardtimelookingaroundtowntofindit.Andhere,witlessChristiansjumponthisfeminist
bandwagonasifitweresomeharmlessthing:"Well,wehavearighttowork,andweshouldn'tbe
confinedathome,andIhavearighttoexpressfullymyself."Sillywomenwhofallpreyandsilly
menwhodoaswell.
GeorgeGuilder(sp.)isaprominentwriter.HemakesnoclaimtobeaChristian,buthedoes
understandtheagenda.Hewasonceafeministthinker,butsince1973hehasrealisedwhattheir
agendaisandhe'swrittenaboutitthisiswhathesays,
Therevolutionarymembersofthe"Women'sMovement"saythatsexualrelationshipsare
fundamentaltoallourotherinstitutionsandactivities.Ifonecanprofoundlychangetherelations
betweenthesexes(theycontend)onecouldradicallyandunrecognisablytransformthesociety.
[Heis]deadright!TheSatanicagendaistodestroyhumansociety,tojustripthefamilyto
shredsandtodestroymarriage,sothatGodhasnomeanstopassrighteousnessfromone
generationtothenext.Right?Whichwasalwaystheroleofthefamily.Thereisnomoreorder
maintainedinsociety.Therearenomoreethicalvaluesleft,andthewayyoudothatissexually
youjustshredallstandardnormssexually,sonobodyknowshowanyoneisrelatedtoanybody,
buteverybodyisfreetodowhatevertheywanttodoandthatishowtheybecomedivine.
Guilderrightlyaffirmsthat"Sexualityisnotsimplyamatterofgamespeopleplay,itisoneofthe
fewmatters,truly,oflifeanddeathtosociety."Hewarnsthatifthefeministagenda,eveninit's
mostmoderateversion,iscarriedthrough,"Oursocietyisdoomedtoyearsofdemoralisationand
anarchy,possiblyendinginapolicestate"
OursocietyisdoingexactlywhatItoldyouinRomansonehappenstoasocietywhen"Godgives
themover."Whatdoesitsay?"Godgavethemover,"andwhatdidtheydo?"Womenwithwomen
doingthingswhicharen'tevenimaginable,andmenwithmendoingthingswhicharen't
imaginable."that'swhathappenstoasocietyunderGod'swrathGodletsthemgoandthey're
goingthewayoftheSataniclies.
PlayingrightintothehandsoftheSatanicliesisourowngovernmentworkinghardaren'tthey?
Whataretheyworkingsohard?Ourgovernment,thegovernmentoftheUnitedStates,Stateof
California,theCityofLosAngeles,aredoingeverythingtheycandotoeliminateallgender
differences.ThatisnotanissueofconstitutionallibertythatisanissueofSatanicreligion.
Homosexualityisthecompanionoffeminismbecauseofandrogyny.Homosexualityrunning
rampantnosocietycansurvivethat.TheRomanEmpiredidn'tsurviveit.Thisentiresystemis
goingrightintothe"pit"tearingupGod'sordersexuallytearingupfamiliestearingup
marriageblasphemingGodblasphemingChristexaltingtheSerpent.Ireadonebookthis
weekendwhereonemansuggestedthattheAntichristmightbeawomanifwekeepgoingthe
waywearegoing.SatanisverysuccessfulwiththisVicePresidentAlGorehaswrittenabook
called,"EarthintheBalanceEcologyandtheHumanSpirit."PeterJoneswritesaboutthatbook,
"Gore'sinvolvementinecologyisanexpressionofhisbeliefintheconnectednessofallthings,in
thegreatvalueofallreligiousfaiths,andinhishopethatancientpagangoddessworshipwillhelp
bringusplanetaryandpersonalsalvation."Itisinconceivablethatthesepeoplecallthemselves
Baptistsnoitisnotinconceivable!UndiscerningChristiansfallingvictimtothesehellishheresies.
Thedestructionisnotrestrainedbythechurchthechurchhasjoinedit!
Thereisnodoubtaboutwhatawoman'sroleisthereisnodoubtwhataman'sroleis.Lookat
ourtextagain.WhathasGoddesignedforawoman?Verse4,"Tolovetheirhusbands,tolove
theirchildren,tobesensible,pure,workersathome,kind,beingsubjecttotheirownhusbands
thattheWordofGodmaynotbedishonoured."That'sveryclear.Youcangetintoalotoftrouble
bysuggestingthatkindofstuff.Trystandingupinthiscultureandsaying,"Womenyouare
commandedtoloveyourhusband,andtoloveyourchildren,andtoworkathome,andtobe
subjecttoyourhusband."You'llgetscreameddownImeanyoucouldbeindeeptroublejust
readingthat,letalonecommentingonit!
It'sbeenamazingsincepeopleknewthatIwasapproachingthistext,theybeentellingme,"What
areyougoingtosayaboutthis?Thisisgoingtobeverycontroversial.Boy,wecan'twaituntil
thesetapescomeoutwhat'sgoingtohappenthen?"Well,justtomitigatethatalittlebit,I
havesaidwhatIhavesaidthismorningsothatifyougetupsetyou'llknowwhosesideyouare
on!GodhaslaidoutHisstandardstheyarenotnegotiable.Iwilltellyouthis,iftheChurch
doesn'twakeupsoonandobeytheWordofGodallislost!Wedon'tneedtofallvictimtothis
stuff.Youdon'tneedamaster'sdegreetofigureoutwhatitmeans"toloveyouhusband,love
yourchildren,andtoworkathome!"Howhardisthat?Bytheway,therearenoqualifiersthere,
nocaveats,nofootnotesitisjustwhatitsays."Gohome,submittoyourhusband,have
children,raisethemingodliness,takecareofyourhouse."Andthat'swhatolderwomenareto
teachyoungerwomentheyaretoteachitnotonlywiththeirmouththeyaretoteachitwith
theirlife.
I'mtellingyouwhatIsaidafewweeksagoisnowisbecomingsovividlytrue.Wearelivingin
Romansonearen'twe?What'swrongwithAmerica?Godletusgo,andweareplungingdownthe
pathandtheevidenceofitisthisreversalofsexualrolesthatPaultalkedaboutinRomans1:26.
Nowbeforewelookatversefour,let'sgotoversethreeforamomentbecauseit'sconnected.
Oneofthedutiesoftheolderwomenintowhichwelookedafewweeksback,oneoftheduties
comesattheendofthelistinversethree,"teachingwhatisgood."Olderwomenhaveastheir
responsibility"teachingwhatisgood."Literally,theGreekwordherecouldbetranslated
"teachersofwhatisgood,""kalodidaskalos"(Greek):"teachersofgood.""Good"beingawordthat
means"noble,excellent,andlofty,"andtheideainthewordisnotsomekindofformalthing.It's
notconductingseminars,writingabook,makingtapes,holdingformalclassesitistheideaof
"theverylifetheylivebecomingamodelofapatternofgoodness."
Olderwomen,whentheirchildrenaregrownandgoneandtheyreachthesenioryears,arenot
supposedtojustwanderawayfromthechurchandtravelaroundasiftheyhadnoresponsibility.
Intheirolderyearstheyareresponsibletobecometeachersofthenextgeneration.Theydothat
bymentoring,bydisciplining,bymodelling,bysettingtheexampleofgodlylivingwithregardto
marriage,andthefamily,andthehome.
Now,theyarethentobe"teachersofgood"andtheprimaryonestheyteacharethe"young
women"andthat'sthetransitionintoversefour,theyaretobeteachersofwhatisgood,in
orderthattheymayencouragetheyoungwomen.Theprimaryresponsibilityof"olderwomen"is
"youngerwomen."Theirchildrenareraised,thechildrenaregone,hopefullytheyhaveraisedupa
godlygenerationoftheirown.Now,withintheframeworkofthechurch,theolderwomenareto
givethemselvesinaveryinformal,personalwaytothemodellingofgodlinessthatonlyawoman
candotopassontothenextgeneration.Theyaretodemonstratevirtueaswives,andvirtueas
mothers,andvirtueashumble,loving,patient,kind,generousservantstothenextgeneration.
Versefourbeginswiththeword"That"it'sapurposeclause"Inorderthat"withthepurposeor
theresult"thatyoungwomenwillbeencouraged."
Now,theword"encouraged"isprobablynottranslatedthebestway.It'saveryinterestingword:
therootofit"sophra"(Greek)isusedalloverthePastoralEpistlesinfact,hardlyanywhereelse
IthinkImayhavefoundoneortwousesoftherootsomewhereotherthanthePastorals,butit
appearsinthePastoralsmanyplaces,andithasvarious,differentendingswhichchangetheform
oftheword,andwewillseeitseveraltimes,eveninourdiscussionthismorning.But,theformof
itthatappearsuniquelyhere,"sophronizo,"(Greek)whichisaverbending,means"totrain."To
sayitanotherway,"toteachsomeoneselfcontrol."Somelexiconstranslateit"tomakesomeone
soberminded,""tomakesomeonebalanced,""tomakesomeonesteady,""toprovidesomeone
guidance."Butthebesttranslationis"totrainsomeoneinselfcontrol."Thereareotherformsof
thisword,in1:8,2:2,andwewillseeevenin2:5,andinthosecasesitistranslated"sensible,"
butitisalittlebitofadifferentword,therootisthesamebuttheformofitisdifferent.One
formofitistranslated"discipline."InTitus2:12it'stranslated"sensibly,"in1Timothy3:2,
"prudent,"andwewillseelaterin1Timothy2it'stranslated"discrete"ithastheideaofbeing
"discrete,"or"chaste."Butthebestwaytounderstandthistermistheideaof"trainingintheart
ofselfcontrol,""Learningselfrestraint"infact,aformofitistranslated"selfrestraint"in1
Timothy2:15.
So,the"olderwomen"thenaretoteachthe"youngwomen"theselfdisciplinethattrainsthemto
beabletodotheirduty,whichistolovetheirhusbands,lovetheirchildren,etc."Olderwomen"
areengagedtheninatrainingprocesstoraiseagenerationofsensible,disciplined,prudent,
wise,discrete,restrainedwomenwhoarecommittedtodoingGod'swill.Thisisatremendous
challenge:it'snoteasilydone.Atrainingprocessimpliesrelationship,ongoingrelationshipand
responsibility,confrontation,andaffirmation.Youolderwomenwhonolongerhavethe
responsibilityofyourownchildren,nowhavetheresponsibilityoftrainingthenextgenerationof
women.
Now,let'stalkabouttheideaofthe"youngwomen."Howyoungisyoung?Now,whatIamgoing
tosayisgoingtomakesomeofyouveryhappy.Towhatagedoes"youngwomen"refer?Well,in
ageneralsense,wewouldsayitreferstowomenwhoareabletobearchildren,orarestillrearing
children.Wewouldsay,generallyspeaking,thatitissortofapremenopausecategoryofyoung
womenthosewhoarestillabletohavechildren.Agoodwaytounderstandthisistogobackto
1Timothy5.Iwouldaddeventothat,womenwhoareabletohavechildrenorarestillrearing
theirchildren.Andifyouthinkaboutit,womencanbearchildrenwellintotheirforties,and
consequentlyforthenext,say,"10to15years"evenafterthat,theyaregoingtoberaising
children,sothatwouldpushthesortofchildbearing,childrearingresponsibilityupto,maybe,
sixty.Ifyouarestillhavingchildrenat46,47rememberinancienttimeswithoutthemeansto
preventpregnancy,aswehavethemtoday,andwithadevotiontobearingchildren(thatwas
verydifferentthanasocietylikeoursthathasbeenclobberedwiththeideaofreducingthe
population),peoplehadchildrenandtheycontinuedtohavechildren.Thehomewasthecentreof
life.Theyborechildrenwellintotheirforties,normally,andsoasapproachingsixtytheywouldstill
beraisingtheirownchildren.Nowthatisconsistentwithwhatweseein1Timothy.
In1Timothy5:9,itsays,"Letawidowbeputonthelist."Therewasalistofwidows,whether
caredforbythechurchornot,whowereofficialservantsofthechurch,andtheywouldserve
thechurch,theyhadanumberoftasks,ifyougobackintothehistoryofthechurch,theyhad
fairlydefinedresponsibility:theywouldvisitthechurch'syoungerwomen,thatwasapriority
obviouslydrawnfromTitus2.Theywouldvisitthese"youngerwomen"toteachthem,toinstruct
them,tohelpthemindailytasks,toshowthemthingsaboutbeingwives,andaboutbeing
mothers,andaboutbeinghomemakers,andtheyhadanongoingresponsibilitytobeavailableto
thosewomeninthechurchwhoneededtheirhelp.
Theywerealsousedtoprovideteachingandcounsellingwhenwomenhadneedsthatwere
specificandproblematic.Theyalsovisitedthesickandtheafflictedandthoseinprison.They
providedhospitalitytotravellers,suchasitinerantpreachers,evangelists,andmissionaries,and
travellingChristians,whomaybecomingintotownbecausetheywerebeingpersecutedin
anotherplace.Theyhadresponsibilityalsotohelpwiththeirowngrandchildrenandtheirextended
familyandwhateverneedswerethere.
Thesewomenweretobemodels,then,ofvirtue.Theirqualificationstobeputonthelistare
quiteinteresting,lookatitinversenine.Firstofall,theyhadtobeatleastsixtyyearsor
thereabouts,andtheyhadtohaveareputationofbeingthewifeofoneman.Thatdoesn'tmean
thattheyonlyhadonehusbanditmeansaonemanwomanintheGreek.Icouldonlywishthat
theyhadtranslatedthatrightbecauseeverytimeitappearsitismisleading.IntheGreek,they
werea"onemanwoman"that'stheidea.Thatistosay,theyweretotallydevotedtotheir
husband.Theymayhavebeenmarriedacoupleoftimes,perhapswidowedearlierinlifeandwould
beinstructedtomarryagain.Itmayhavebeenthattheyhadan"unbelieverdepart"andleft
them,andtheythenwerefreetoremarry.Theissueisnothowmanytimestheyweremarried
theissueis:weretheyknownasawifedevotedtothemanwhowasherhusband?Theywere
virtuousinthatsensethattheywereloyal,faithfulwives.Thatwouldbethemoralqualification.
Andthen,verse10,ifshehadareputationforgoodworks.Thatistosay,shehasdonethose
kindsofthingsthathavedemonstratedherexcellentcharacter:sheisanoblewoman,shehasa
unrelentingpursuitofdoinggoodforothers,sheisunselfish.Sheisdevotedtoothers,likethe
womanofProverbs31,orlikeDorcas,whowasalwaysmakinggarmentsforthepoor.
Andthen,additionally,ifshehasshownhospitalitytostrangers,ifshehaswashedsaints'feet,if
shehasassistedthoseindistress,ifshehasdevotedherselftoeverygoodwork,andthenthat
oneIskippedwhichisreallytheheartofitifshehasbroughtupchildren.Thisparticularduty
wasforsomeonewhohadagodlyreputation,whohadcaredforstrangers,whohadhumbled
herselftowashthedirtyfeetofthosewhohadwalkedinthedustorthemud(itwaseitherone).
Shewasknownbecauseshehaddevotedherwholelifetoeverygoodwork,utterlyselfless,but
shehadbroughtupchildren,andtheimplicationistheyaregodlychildren.Shehadlivedin,as1
Timothy2:15says,"faithandloveandsanctitywithselfrestraint,"andsoshehadpreserved
herselffromthestigmathatwomanbearsforhavingledtheraceintosin,byraisingupagodly
generationofchildren.
Now,ontheotherhand(let'sfollowthistextalittlebit),verse11,"Don'tputyoungerwidowson
thelist."Why?Theywillwanttobeonit!Somewilllosetheirhusbandandtheywillbeso
distressedandsobereftandmourningsodeeply,andtheywillsay,"Therewillneverbeamanlike
him.Ineverwanttomarryanother.Idon'twantanotherman.He'stheonlymanIeverwant."
Andintheemotionofthatmoment,andthedevotiontothatlovethatwastherewiththatman
theywilldevotethemselvestoChristandsay,"Iwanttobeonthelist.I'llgivetherestofmylife
toChrist.Idon'teverwanttomarryagain."
"But,"verse11says,"whentheyfeelsensualdesires,"whenthenormalsexdriverises,"in
disregardofChrist,theywanttogetmarried."Andtheywillhavemadethispublicpromise(and
apparentlytherewassomepublicforuminwhichthisactuallytookplace),andtheywillthenincur
condemnationbecauseeithertheywillreluctantlykeeptheirvow,ortheywillbreaktheirvow,and
ineitherplacetheywillbecondemnedbecausetheysetasidetheirpreviouspledge.Don'tletthe
youngerwomendothis.Theyhaveanormaldesirewhichresultsinthebearingandtherearingof
childrenandtheneedforahusbandandallofthat.
"Atthesametime,"hesaysinverse13,"youngerwomenwhomightbeabitimmaturewillgo
aroundlearningtobeidle,goingfromhousetohouseandnotmerelyidle,butthey'llgossipand
bebusybodies,andtalkaboutthingsnotpropertomention."Theywilljustgoaroundtalkingand
insteadofgoingandhelpingandteachingandinstructingandcounselling,theywillcollect
informationhereandmoreitoverhere,collectmoreinformationhereandmoveitoverhere,and
prettysoonthethingwillbeallovertheplace.So,don'tletyoungerwomendothat."The
youngerwomenyoumustinstruct,"verse14,"togetmarried,bearchildren,keephouse,andgive
theenemynooccasionforreproachforsomehavealreadyturnedasidetofollowSatan."That's
sad,iftheydon'tgetmarried,theirphysicaldesirewillleadthemintosin.Youneedtogetmarried
andbearchildrenandkeephouse.That'stheirdomain,that'stheirarea,that'stheirresponsibility,
that'stheircalling,that'stheirplaceandthatallowstheenemynooccasiontobringreproachon
thosewomenwhonametheNameofChrist,andgooutanscandalisetheNameofChristbytheir
sin.So,don'tputtheyoungerwomenonthelist.
Now,whatwehavelearnedfromthatpassageisthat,thereareyoungerwomenandolder
women,andtheolderwomenarekindofinthesixtyandupcategory,andtheyoungerwomenare
belowthat,atleastatthepointwheretheyarestillbearingchildren,capableofbearingchildren,
orrearingchildren.Now,let'sgobacktoTitus.
Here,withthatasabackground,inTitus,chapter2,wehearsomeveryfamiliarwords.Theyoung
womenwereencouraged,youremember,in 1Timothy5,"tomarryandbearchildren,"andall,and
hereisthesamething,"encourageyoungwomentolovetheirhusbands,tolovetheirchildren,be
sensible,pure,workersathome,kind,beingsubjecttotheirownhusbands."AndagainIremind
you,thatthereisalwaysamoveagainstthis,anditrisesoutofthefallenfleshofawomanwho
wantstolorditoverherhusband,whowantstoexpressherself,whowantstorunindependentof
theplanandpurposeofGodthat'swhatthesinfulfleshdoesandit'sexacerbatedbySatanas
hedevelopstheculturetocallitssirencalltothewomanoutsidethehome.
Verse4,"Encouragetheseyoungwomen(thatistraintheminthematterofselfcontrol)tolove
theirhusbands."That'soneword,"philandros"(Greek),tobe"husbandlovers."That'swhatit
meansin1Timothy5,asweread,"tobeaonemanwoman,"totallydevotedtoyourhusband.
Ephesians5:25says,"Husbands,loveyourwives,justasChristlovedthechurch."That'sthekey
youloveyourwifelikeChristlovedthechurch.HowdidHelovethechurch?Helovedthechurch
whenthechurchwassinfulHelovesuswhenwearenotworthyofHisloveHelovesus
sacrificiallyHelovesusprotectivelythat'showhusbandsaretolovetheirwivesandthat's
howwivesaretolovetheirhusbands.Youaretobea"husbandlover,"youaretoloveyour
husband.
Yousay,"Youdon'tknowmyhusband!Idon'tlovemyhusband.Myhusbandisnotloveable.He
hasturnedmeoff.Idon'tlovehimanymore.Idon'tcareforhimanymore."Myresponsetoyouis,
"Thatisdisobedience!"ThatisdisobediencetotheclearWordofGod,"Youaretoloveyour
husband."Listen,thatdoesn'tmeanthatyouaregoingtofeeltherocketsandhearthebellsand
whistles.IreadNewsweekmagazinetwoweeksago,andintheireditiontheysaidthatgoesin
abouttwoyears,becauseofchemicalchanges.Isn'tthatamazing!Marriageisn'tallrockets,and
bells,andwhistlesit'sacontentedcommitmentwithanoccasionalrocket,andmaybeabelland
awhistlenowandthen.Itgoesbeyondthat,itgoesbeyondthattoadevotedness,toalevelof
friendshipthatrunsdeepandsatisfying.AndIwilltellyouhowitworks:ifyoudon'tloveyou
husbandthenyouneedtotrainyourselftoloveyourhusband,andthewayyoutrainyourselfto
loveyourhusbandistocontinuetoserveandserve,anddoeverygoodthingandeverykind
thing,andeverygraciousthing,andeverymagnanimousthing,andyouwillmakesuchamassive
investmentinhim,youwillsay,"Ihavegottoomuchinthisguynottolovehim!"
Itisasintodisobeythiscommand.Itisasacrificiallove.Itisnotnecessarilytheloveofemotion,
it'stheloveofwillandadeepcommitment,andthat'swherehealthyrelationshipsbegin.It'sthe
kindoflovePhilippians2talksaboutwhenitsays,"Ifthereisanylovethendothis,letnoman
lookonthethingsofhisownlifebutthethingsofothers,leteachesteemothersbetterthan
himself."It'sthatsacrificial,humble,condescending,selfeffacinglove.
Secondly,hesays,"Teachtheseyoungwomentolovetheirchildren."That'soneword,
"philoteknos"(Greek)tobe"childrenlovers."Women,thisisyourhighestcalling,"toraisegodly
children"(1Timothy2:15),wehavebeenmentioningitallalong.Youwillreversethestigmaof
thecursebywhichwomenarestigmatisedbecauseawomanledtheraceintosin,youwillbe
preservedfromthatstigmawhenyourearagodlygenerationthat'syourhighestcalling.Your
greatestcontributioncomesinmotherhoodthat'sgenerallytrue.Now,letmehastentosay
therearesomewomenthatGodwantstobesingle,andtheyaretheexceptionHedoesn'twant
themtobemarried.TheyhavewhattheNewTestamentcallsa"giftofsingleness,"1Corinthians
7saysthatwomenwhoaresingleshouldremainsingleiftheycandothatsoshouldmen,so
theycandevotetheirwholelifetoChristandnotbeencumberedbyhavingtocareforalife
partner,andafamily,andchildren,andallofthat.Iunderstandthat.Iunderstandwhatimmense
freedomamancouldhaveifhewasn'tmarriedanddidn'thavechildren.
Now,Godhasn'tmademethatway,obviously,butsomeare,andsomewomenaredesignedby
Godto"besinglefortheKingdom'ssake."Andtherearesomewomenwhoarebarrenforthe
Kingdom'ssake,forGod'sdivinepurposes.Therearesomemenwhocannotproducechildrenand
thereforetheirwiveswillneverbearchildrenGodknowsthatandinHispurposeandHis
providencethatisagloriousandacompleteandtotalfulfilmentforthatindividualwoman.But,
thosearetheuniqueexceptionsthatGoddesignsthegeneralruleisthatwomenbearchildren,
andlovethechildrentheybear.Certainly,inancienttimes,thiswouldevengoforthosewomen
whothoughnotbearingchildrenwouldhaveadoptedsomeofthosechildrenthatthewidowshad
scoopedoutofthemarketplace,andwouldthereforehavethesameresponsibilityforloving
childrenwhohadbeenadopted.
Obviously,Goddoesn'twantallwomentobemothersortheywouldbe.Godhasdesignedsome
womentohavetheuniquenessofsingleness,andothersnottohavechildrenforHisownpurpose.
WecanthankGodforwhatsinglewomenmeantotheKingdom,andwecanthankGod(andIdo
daily)forwhatwomenwhohavenochildrenmeantotheKingdombecauseGodhasgiventhem
freedomtoserveinuniqueways.But,generallyspeaking,womenaremothersandtheyareto
bearchildren,andinbearingchildrentheyhavethentheresponsibilitytolovethosechildrenthat
meanstosacrificetheirlifeonthechildren'sbehalf.Againtheloveinnotanemotion,it'snot
standinginthecornergloatingwhenyourlittlechildisalldressedup,athowhandsomeorhow
beautifulsheisitistheresponsibilityofpouringyourlifesacrificiallyintothatlittlelifesothat
thatchildgrowsuptoloveChrist.
"Womenaretobetaught,"accordingtoverse5,"tobesensible."There'sthat"sophron"(Greek)
rootagain:tohavesoundjudgement,commonsense,rightthinking,rightprioritiesverybasic.
Theolderwomencomealongandtheyteachtheyoungwomenthecommonsensestuffoflife,
justthenormalprocessesofknowingyourpriorities,thinkingright,makingsoundjudgement,
applyingwisdom.Youknow,somanyyoungwomentodaydon'tunderstandthis,PatriciaandI
havetalkedaboutthisthroughtheyears.Wecan'timagineevergoingtoamarriageseminar.We
can'timagineevergoingtosomekindofachildraisingseminar.Peoplesay,"Whycan'tyou
imaginethat?"Thereasonissimplythis:wewerebothraisedinfamilieswheretheBiblicalpattern
wasmodelled.Iwilltellyousomethingthatwillshockyou:Ihaveneverinmylifetimehaveseen
myfatherandmotherargue.It'shardtopickafightwithme.Ihaveneverseenmyparents
argue.Iseenamodelofcommitmenttooneanother.Iwatchedmyparentsraisechildren.My
wifewatchedherparentsraisechildren.Nobodyneedstogivemeabookonhowtodothis,there
issomethingthatisbuiltintothefabricofahomethatbecomesreproductiveinthenext
generation,andwhenthatgetsseveredyouhaveamajorproblemoftryingtoundothebad
modellingandrestructurethewholething.That'swhytheOldTestamentsayswhereyouhave
wickednessinthefamily,ittakesthreeorfourgenerationstoturnitaroundit'snoteasyandit
willtakealongtimebeforeitgetsturnedaroundinourownculture.
Butwherewearelivingtoday,inthissociety,itisdesperatelyneededthatsomewomencome
alongandteachtheyounggenerationhowtothinkrightwhatwethinkiscommonsense
parenting.That'swhythewholeparentingprocessistaughtwithsuchzealinourchurch,because
wehavetofillinthegaphere.Withthesecondgenerationofwomenexposedtoa"Feminist
Agenda"andcomingoutofbrokenhomes,devastatedmarriages,someofthemdivorcedandsome
ofthemstayedtogetherbutequallydevastating.
Thenhesays,"Teachtheyoungwomentobepure,""hagnos"inGreek,"chaste,""morallypure,"
"virtuous,""sexuallyfaithfultotheirhusbands."Teachthemthattheyaredevotedtoonemanand
that'sitmorallypure.1Peter3:3saysthatwomenarenottoadornthemselvesmerelyonthe
external.It'sfinetodoalittleworkoutthereweallappreciateit,butmostlythisistrueisn't
it?Butmostly,hesays,don'tbeworriedabout"braidingyourhair,andwearinggoldjewellery,or
puttingondressesbutyouworryaboutthehiddenpersonoftheheart,withtheimperishable
qualityofagentleandquietspirit,whichispreciousinthesightofGod.Forinthiswayinformer
timestheholywomenalso....usedtoadornthemselves."
Soifyouwanttobeaholywomanyouworkontheinside,andthat'swhatheissaying,"Teach
womentobeadorningtheirheartteachwomentobevirtuousandgodlyontheinside."Backin1
Timothy,chapter2,andverses9and10,thissameissaid,womenarenottoadornthemselvesin
anywaythatwouldcallattentiontothemselves,buttheyaretoputon"properclothing,
modestlyanddiscreetly,notwithbraidedhairandgoldorpearlsorcostlygarmentsbutratherby
meansofgoodworks,asbefitswomenmakingaclaimtogodliness."Soifyouaregoingtoclaim
godliness,andvirtue,andholiness,andpurityitoughttoshowupontheoutside.Thosetwo
wordsin1Timothy2,"modestly"and"discreetly,"veryinteresting.
"Modestly"meanswithasenseofshame,withahealthyblush.Notashamedthatyouarea
woman,butashamedthatyoumightcausesomeonetobedistractedfromworshippingGod,or
ashamedthatyoumightcausesomeonetolookatyouinlust.Youwanttohavethatkindof
senseofshamethethoughtofincitinglustordistractingsomeonefromworshippingGod.Andthe
ideaof"discreetly"isthesamerootagain"sophra"(Greek),andagainitmeanscontrollingallof
yourpassions.Womenwhomakeaclaimtogodlinesshavetheirpassionsundercontrolandthey
wouldn'tdoanythingtoexcitelusttheywouldn'tdoanythingtodrawattentiontothemselves
whenGod'speoplecometogetherforworship.Holywomenhavealwaysconductedthemselves
thatway,soPaulsaysyouteachtheyoungwomentobepurelikethat.
Andthenhesays,"workersathome,"andhere'stheonethatgetsalltheheatnowadays.Forty
fivepercentoftheAmericanworkforceiswomen."Megatrends2000"saysinthepast20years
U.S.womenhavetakentwothirdsofthemillionsofnewjobs,andthatwillcontinue.Fiftysix
percent,says"Megatrends,"56%ofmotherswithchildrenunder6,workoutsidethehome.
Seventythreepercentofmotherswithchildren6to17workoutsidethehome.Bytheyear2000,
that'sin6yearsorso,90%ofwomenbetween16and65willbeatworkoutsidethehome.
Nobodywillbehomenobody.
Theword"workersathome"onewordintheGreek,"oikourgos"fromtworootwords,"ergon"
whichmeans"work"and"oikos"whichmeans"house."It'ssimplythesphereofawoman'slifeis
herhomethat'sherdomain.Itdoesn'tmeanshehastobethere24hoursadayandcannever
leave.Iamnotsayingthat,becauseyoudon'twanttolockherupwithSoapOperaseither,but
whatitdoesmeanisthatisthesphereofherlifethatisherdomain.Itisnotthatsheissimply
tobehome,butthatthehomeishersphere.ThewomaninProverbs31lefthomewhenshe
neededtobuyafield,shelefthometopreparethatfield,shelefthomeandwentafartofind
thingsthatwouldhelpthefamily.Thewomandidwhatsheneededtodo,butthefocusof
everythingwasthehome,andthat'swhereshepouredherlife.Shegotupearlyandshewentto
bedlateforthesakeofthehome.Sheistobea"homekeeper"that'sthesphereofher
responsibility,that'sherplaceofemployment,that'swheresheshouldpourherlife.
Foramothertogetajoboutsidethehomeandsendthechildrentosomekindof"Daycare"
placeistoshirkherGodgivenresponsibility.Italsoisafailuretounderstandthatherhusbandis
tobetheprovider,as Ephesians5makesitveryclear.Evenifyouwantedtoworkoutsidethe
hometopayforyourchildrentogotoaChristianschoolyoumadeabigmistake.Betterthatyou
shouldstayinthehomeandraiseyourownchildrentobegodlythantopassitontosomebody
else.Nowweknowtodaytherearealotofwonderfulthingsthatwehaveinthehomethat
ancientpeopledidn'thave.Imeanthatyouarenotintherewithsomekindofastonepotbeating
outthegraintomakeflour.Andyouarenotdownatthecreekslappingyourclothesonarock
weknowthat.Andyouarenotjustspinningthreadsothatyoucanmakefabricssothatyoucan
sewgarments,soweknowthatyouhavemoretime.Youneedtobeverycarefulhowyouuse
thattimediscreetly.Youdohavemoretime,andtheremaybethingsoutsidethehomeyoucan
dothatwillassistthehomeandthatwillassistothers,thatmayevenbeenterprisinglikethe
Proverbs31womanandbringinalittlebitofincome,butanyofthosekindofthingsthatyoudo
thehomeremainstheconstantandongoingpriorityeverythingfocusesonthat.
Whenyourchildrenaregrownandgone,orifGoddoesn'tgiveyouanychildren,youhavea
certainfreedom.Buteventheninwhatyouchoosetodooutsidethehomeyoudon'tlosethe
responsibilityforthehome,youmaybeabletocareforyourhome,andbecauseyouhaveno
childrenstilldosomethingsoutside.Yourhomemaystillbeahavenforyourhusband,itmaybea
placewhereyoucanshowhospitality.Youmayhaveopportunitytowashthesaints'feetanddo
everygoodwork,andstilldosomethingoutsidethehome,somethingnoble.Ialwaysthinkits
wonderfulwhenwomenworkinChristianministry,whentheydon'thavechildrenathome,orwhen
theyteachlittleonesinschool,orwhentheyareinvolvedinaChristianmissionenterprise,or
whentheyareinvolvedinministeringtopeopleinjail,orwhentheyworkinahospital,orwith
doctors,andthosewhohelppeople.Butyouneedtobecarefulevenindoingthatthatyoudon't
getyourselfinapositionwhereyouaretempted,becauseweallknow,andthestatisticsarevery
clearonthis:"womenwhoworkoutsidethehomehaveanexponentialnumberofextramarital
affairswhencomparetowomenwhoareinthehomebecauseofexposure,temptation."You
mustmakewisechoicesifyouaregoingtotakethefreedomthatyouhaveintermsoftime,
becauseyouchildrenaregrown,becauseyoucancareforthathomebecauseofconveniences,
andchoosewhereitisyouaregoingtouseyourgiftsandtalentsandabilities,andwomenhave
themtoteachandleadandadministrate,coordinate,andserve,andhelp,andgive,andallof
that.JustlikeallofthegiftsthatarementionedintheNewTestament.Youmustchoosewisely
soyoudon'tcompromiseyourselfinanyway.But,yourplaceisthehome.
Itisalsotragictorealisethatmanywomenwantnothingmorethanthat,andtheyhavean
unfaithfulhusbandwholeavesthem.Theyarestuck,aren'ttheywithchildrennosourceof
income,andforcedinmanycasestoworkoutsidethehometosupportthefamily.That'snot
right.1Timothy5makesitveryclear,"othermenintheextendedfamilyshouldcareforthat
womansoshedoesn'thavetodothat."Theyhavealreadylostafather,nowareyougoingto
makethemloseamotherthoselittleones?Ifthereisnoothermeninit,thenitsaysin1
Timothy5,someotherwomenoughttocometoheraid,andiftherearenowomentodothat,
thenthechurchoughttotakecareofherbutchurchesaren'tevenwillingtodothat.Wehave
beeninvolvedindoingthatforyearsatGraceChurch,wherewehavewidows,orwherewehave
singlewomenwhosehusbandshavebeendivorced,orinsomecaseswherewehavewomenwith
littlechildrenwhosehusbandsareservinglongprisonsentencesevenlifeimprisonment.Theylost
afathershouldtheyloseamother?
Ifyouhavesomewomanlikethatinyourfamily,youneedtosupportthatwoman.Andifthereis
noonethere,thechurchcancomealongside,andwedomuchcounsellinginthatarea.But,"a
woman'splaceisinthehome"onlysayshalfofit."Awoman'splaceisinthehome"tomedoesn't
soundrightawoman'sresponsibilityisinthehome.Tosayherplaceisinthehomemakesyou
thinkthatshejustoughttositthere,becausethat'swhereshebelongs.No,that'swhereher
dutyandresponsibilityisthat'swhereheropportunityistohavethegreatestimpactonthe
world.Awomandoesn'timpacttheworldbygettingabriefcaseandgoingdowntownshe
impactstheworldbyraisingagodlygenerationofmenandwomen.
Obviously,thisisverysimple,directteaching,andweknowhowtorespondtoit.Atthesame
timetherearequestionsandIknowthattheycancomeupinyourheart.Yousay,"Well,whatifI
haveanopportunitytobegonetwohoursinthemorning,orthreehours?OrwhatifIcangoto
theChristianschoolandhelpthereforafewhours?"Theanswertoallofthatis:ifitdoesnot
impactyourhome,ifitenhancesandenrichesthelifeinthehome,ifitaccomplishesallofthe
spiritualgoals,thenthat'sbetweenyouandtheLordandyourhusbandandyourfamilytowork
thosethingsout.YouunderstandtheplanandthepatternthatGodhaslaidout:thespecificson
howitfleshesoutinyourhomeareforyouandtheLordandyourfamilytoworkout.
Whatgrievesmeisthismassiveonslaughtthatsays"Wehavegottostampoutthiswholeideaof
womenstayingathome."Ifyoudon'tthinkthatisit,listentotheagenda:VivianGornick(sp.),
feministauthor,UniversityofIllinois,
Beingahousewifeisanillegitimateprofession.Thechoicetoserveandbeprotectedandplan
towardsbeingafamilymakerisachoicethatshouldn'tbe.Theheartofradicalfeminismisto
changethat.
Whydotheycare?Youtellme,whydoessomefeministwomancarewhetheryouarea
homemaker?Whydoesshecare?I'lltellyouwhybecauseheragendaisn'theragendait'sthe
agendaoftheenemy.ItisanantiGodagendaintendedtodestroythecredibilityofthechurch,
becauseifyoucangetwomenwhoclaimtobeChristianstoabandonthehome,thenyoucanpick
upaBibleandsay,"YousayyoubelievethisIdon'tthinkso.Therefore,itmustnotbe
believablebecauseyouknowwhatitsaysandyouarenotinterestedinbelievingitandyouclaim
tobeaChristian."Theydon'tknowwhattheyaredoing,buttheydon'tcarereallywhetheryou
workSatancarestodiscredittheBiblethat'stheissue.That'stheleveloftheattack.Seeit
forwhatitisanddon'tbecomevictimised.
Thehomeiswhereawomanprovidestheexpressionsofloveforherhusbandandherchildren.
Thehomeiswheresheleadsandguidesandteachesandraisesthegodlygeneration.
Thehomeiswheresheisprotectedandsecuredfromothermenandpotentiallywicked
relationshipsandabuses.
ThehomeiswhereshelodgesstrangersandwashesSaints'feet,showshospitalityanddevotes
herselftoeverygoodworkthat'shersphere.
Whateverofthathomeandwhateverofthegoodnessofherlifeshecantakeoutsideandnot
sacrificethehomeisbetweenherandtheLordandherhusband.
Proverbs7:11givesadefinitionofaprostitute,thisiswhatitsays,"Sheisboisterousand
rebelliousherfeetdonotremainathome."Sheisnotcontenttobeathome.Sheisnotcontent
withthatdomainwiththatman,shewantstoexploreotheroptions.Peopletodaysay,"Oh,a
womanmustwork.Shehastoworktofulfilherself."Thatisridiculousthatisnottrue.Herplace
thatGodhasdesignedhertoexpressherselfmostmagnanimouslyisinthehomeforherfamilyand
friendsandthoseinneed.
Inspi teofal l thecl earteachi ng,Satanhasal l owedthechurchtogetsuckedi ntothe
Lesbian/FeministAgenda.Thisisofgreatconsequencetothechurch,foracoupleofstatistical
reasons.Sixtypercentofthechurchpopulationiswomen,andinBiblebelievingchurchesonly
37%aremen.AndsothisgreatmassiveforceofpeoplewhonamethenameofChristareeither
livinginaffirmationofScripture,orindenialofitveryimportantintermsofChristiantestimony.
Thenitsays,andthisiswonderful,inverse5,"Sheshouldbekind."Whatneedstobesaidabout
that?"Gentle,tenderhearted,merciful,andthoughtful."Andthenlastly,"Beingsubjecttotheir
ownhusbands."Notsomebodyelse'shusband,buttheirown.ThatisanechoofEphesians5:22,
"Subjecttotheirownhusbands."Awomandoesn'tknowhowtobowherkneetoGoduntilshe
learnshowtobowherkneetoherhusband.Itdoesn'tmeanaservilewayitsimplymeansthat

shesubmitsasGodasdesignedtheorder."GodistheheadofChrist,Christistheheadofthe
man,"1Corinthians11says,"Andthemanistheheadofthewoman.""Subjecttoherown
husband."Iworryaboutwomenwhogetoutandgetunderpowerful mal edomi nated
environmentsIworryaboutthat,becauseawomanresponds.Awomancanbeeasilyabused.I
understandwhyallthishueandcryofsexualharassmentisgoingon,thoughitiswaybeyondany
kindofrationalapproach.Thoughitiswayoutofwhack,thoughitisonlyanotherwayforthe
feministtoachievetheiragendaitisnonethelesstruethatwomen,inamaledominatedplace
aregoingtogetabusedthereisnoquestionaboutittheyaregoingtogetexposed,atbest,to
innuendo,atworsttosexualinvolvement.
Awomanneedstheprotection,thesavingsenseofprotectionthatahusbandandahome
provides.AndallofthatissothattheWordofGodmaynotbedishonoured.Itisn'tsomuchfor
you,it'sforGod'sWordsothatitwillnotbe"blasphemeo"(Greek),"blasphemed."Thehonourof
Scriptureisatstake,andasIsaidatthebeginninganunbelievercanreadthistextandknow
whetherweareobeyingit.WhatdoyouthinktheunbelieverthinksofcurrentChristianity,ifhe
knowsanythingabouttheBiblehe'dhavetosay,"Well,Christianscertainlyaren'tseriousabout
theBible."It'sreallyamazing.
CharlesHaddonSpurgeonmadethistributetohiswife,
Shedelightsinherhusbandinhisperson,hischaracter,hisaffection.Toherheisnotonlythe
chiefandtheforemostofmankind,butinhereyesheisallinall.Herheart'slovebelongstohim,
andtohimonly.Heisherlittleworld,herparadise,herchoicetreasure.Sheisgladtosinkher
individualityinhim.Sheseeksnorenownforherself.Hishonourisreflecteduponherandshe
rejoicesinit.Shewilldefendhisnamewithherdyingbreath.Safeenoughishewhereshecan
speakforhim.Hissmilinggratitudeisalltherewardsheseeks.Eveninherdressshethinksofhim
andconsidersnothingbeautifulwhichisdistastefultohim.Hehasmanyobjectsinlife,someof
whichshedoesnotquiteunderstand,butshebelievesthemallandanythingshecandoto
promotethemshedelightstoperform.Suchawifeasatruespouse,realisesthemodelmarriage
relationandsetsforthwhatouronenesswiththeLordoughttobe.
Boy,whatajoytobemarriedtosomeonelikethat.Youwonderwhyhewasthe"ManofGod"
thathewashehadsometremendoussupport.
AndsoitisthatGodhassaid,"Youwantyourchurchpowerfulintheworld?Thishowyouareto
live."
Father,wecometoYounow,atthecloseofthisservice,verymuchawareofthefactthatthese
thingswehavetaughtareclearlyfromYou,andclearlyagainsteverythingthatthisculture
standsfor.FirstofallLord,weknowthatturningthisthingaroundisamajorenterprisethatonly
Youcando,butLordwecandealwithourownlives,andsoIprayforthedearfamiliesofthis
church,preciouswomenofthischurch,oldandyoung,fathersandhusbands.IprayOGodthat
thesethingswillbelivedoutinthehomesandthefamiliesofourchurch.Andthatitmightignite
amovementacrossthiscountrythatcanbringbackhonourtoYourWord.Howcansomany
peoplesaytheyareChristiansandbelievetheBible,andliveintotaldisregardofwhatitsays,
andthusshametheverytestimonyoftheOnetheyproclaim?Lord,makeusfaithfulinthe
disciplinesoflifetodowhathonoursYou.WeprayinChrist'sName.Amen.
AsIsaidinconclusion,Iknowthereareamyriadofthingsthatmayfloodyourmindexceptions
hereandthereandeverywhere,andwhataboutawomanwhoissingleworkingintheworld?And
whataboutawomanwhohasnochildrenworking?Andagain,Ijustremindyou,thosethingsyou
needtoprayaboutanddecideinyourownfamily,andthenfollowtheleadingoftheLord.And
thefirsttimethereisindicationthatanyenvironmentlikethatiscompromisingyourcommitment
toChrist,compromisingyourcommitmenttoyourhusband,compromisingyourcommitmenttoyour
homeyouneedtochangethat.Icanonlypraythateverygiftandeverytalentandevery
opportunitythatyouhaveasawomanwillbemaximisedwiththehomeasthecentrepriority,and
theninwhateverextendingcircumferenceGodwillallowbutalwaysforHisglory.

TranscribedbyTonyCapocciaof
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