Modesty & Sexual Immorality

Not long ago there was a kerfuffle on social media (on a site that I am not currently able to be active on) where a pastor named Brian Sauvé (whose music I shared before) had a post that was about modesty.

Again, I don't know a lot about him other than glancing at the church website (and I believe there was some disagreement that was not salvific that I could easily see). 

 So, I'm not giving him an unreserved recommendation, but what he said on this tweet has merit.

Here is what he said:

Dear Ladies,

There is no reason whatsoever for you to post pictures of yourself in low cut shirts, bikinis, bra and underwear, or anything similar—ever.

Not to show your weight loss journey.

Not to show your newborn baby.

Not to document your birth story.

-Your Brothers

— Brian Sauvé (@Brian_Sauve) February 7, 2022

 

A firestorm of attacks reportedly came at him.... wrongfully accused and nasty pictures sent.
One or more of the negative comments came from Beth Moore (one was deleted by her).
I highly would urge women to avoid listening to Beth Moore for her false teaching in general, but that's another matter.


The guy addressed men in further posts, but naturally people threw accusations like he is a "patriarchal control freak" or "hyper fundamentalist dudes objectifying women" or worse yet, sent immodest pictures to him.


Christians,
If you knowingly and purposefully dress in a way to draw lust after it has been pointed out to you that you are tempting your brothers who desire to not sin (not speaking of those who have not been made aware and are willing to change when it is pointed out), don't accuse the opposite sex of objectifying you.


You are objectifying yourself.


The messengers whether they are men or women are not the ones to be shot at, and it doesn't mean that we consider ourselves as sinless or superior people (most certainly we are not).

Men and women are responsible for sin if they intentionally continue to look at what draws them to sin or dwell on what they've unintentionally seen or sin in their minds even when nobody is dressed seductively, but those who are immodest can be responsible for enticing someone to commit adultery or fornication (lust in the heart).

And behold, a woman comes to meet him,
Dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart.
Proverbs 7:10 LSB

You may say that you don't intend to commit adultery (or fornication) when you share photos or go out in public like the woman in Proverbs did, but are you drawing someone to commit adultery in their heart? 

If you are seeking men to look at you sensually, you are also sinning. 

You are also not showing love to the brothers who are seeking to avoid or break from a sin that they do not want to continue in.

Low shirts, tight clothes, lots of skin showing...these things even make victorious men have to look away from women to avoid sinning.

Men are visually stimulated, and a lot of women know this and use this fact...not all do it consciously, but many do.

There are women who also struggle with thoughts.

Christians shouldn't be like the person waving a red flag at a bull and telling it not to look or charge at us.

More mothers & fathers and churches need to address these things...matters not only of the clothing but of our hearts.  

I'm not speaking of people wearing uniforms like the Amish, Mennonites, or the rules of some Independent Baptists, or any churches that get to the point where you might be considered an unbeliever or outsider for wearing nice slacks as a woman rather than a long skirt (though long skirts aren't a bad thing).

To make the assumption that it does mean that would be incorrect...a false charge that any mention of modesty or examples of things that tempt men makes one a legalist.  

It doesn't mean you should quickly charge someone with hypocrisy or even use what you've seen as actual hypocrisy as an excuse for your own heart and behavior and sinful attitudes toward other Christians.

Christians need to flee youthful lusts, and they need to fight sin with Scripture and prayer and removing and fleeing from things that tempt them.... the same is true of women as of men. 

We all need to spend time in Scripture and fight and flee whatever sins might tempt or entangle us. 

We need to pursue what leads to sanctification. 

God is present at all times, and Christians need to remember Him in everything and seek to honor Him. 

We can only be successful as believers through the power of the Spirit...with His help and in His strength.
Let's do what we can to be modest and discreet and to not put a stumbling block in front of another Christian.

I'm not anybody important, and I know that I have a long way to go in sanctification.

I hope the verses are helpful, and the message below them will also be helpful to you.

Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, with modesty and self-restraint, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly clothing, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women professing godliness.

1 Timothy 2:9-10 LSB

But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 

For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you do not do the things that you want. 

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

Galatians 5:16-18 LSB

Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk in step with the Spirit.

Galatians 5:24-25 LSB

“Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; nevertheless, woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!

And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into the fiery hell.
Matthew 18:7, 9 LSB

Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

2 Timothy 2:22 LSB

“I have cut a covenant with my eyes;
How then could I gaze at a virgin?
Job 31:1 LSB

Do not desire her beauty in your heart,

Nor let her capture you with her eyelids.
Proverbs 6:25 LSB

Please Listen to This Message: Sexual Immorality & You

Pastor Don Green (who I would definitely recommend) gave an excellent message on Sunday about adultery/sexual immorality where he had a quote in the message that also pointed out about the way women dress.  

Some weeks there seems to be a theme on things.... whether intentional by people or not... though there are no coincidences with God.  

Don Green's messages on the moral commandments of Scripture gather from other places in Scripture to show the depth of our sins that the commandments point to.  The Law points out sin, and they show our need of a Savior.  They also are a guide to believers who desire to walk by the Spirit.

Are You Modest?

Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.
1 Timothy 2:9-10 NASB

Are you dressing in pride to get attention to you and your body?
Are you tempting someone to have sinful lust and thoughts after you...even in church?

Sometimes people do this without realizing it, and some do it on purpose.

Some women intentionally seek after men to flirt with them and to tempt them, and they know exactly what they are doing.

And behold, a woman comes to meet him,
Dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart.
Proverbs 7:10 NASB

Do you want to be known for your godly character as a Christian woman, or do you arrogantly dress with tight and revealing clothing and judge men for having a problem?
Is it not you, perhaps, who also has a problem with being arrogant and being a temptress?

Does your shirt dip down (even a little) or ride high?  

I've been told that even a little can make it difficult for even a Christian man not to look (and of course, many non-Christians will have no qualms about lusting after you).

Do you wear strappy shirts or two piece or high or low cut swimsuits?

Do you leave little to the imagination, or have lines ending and beginning in places that draw attention to areas that should really only be seen by a husband?

Does what you wear cause men to focus on God or to be distracted by looking at you?

I'm not saying having a naturally pretty face is wrong, or that your clothing needs to draw attention by looking like you live in the 1800s or whatever the Amish wear.

Do you serve the Lord in a way that honors God with your behavior and dress (as well as your spouse if you have one)?

Do you love God, or do you seek to be a show off no matter that you are dishonoring God and causing your brothers to either struggle with sin or to look away from you?

People will respect a woman who draws less attention to herself, and displays her love for God by chaste and respectful behavior and a gentle and quiet spirit (see 1 Peter 3).

I realize that men can also dress immodestly in various ways, and that is something they should consider. 

I realize I've addressed the topic of modesty and discreet clothing in the past, but I have seen the subject mentioned, and it is summer.

How we dress and act can reveal our hearts.  

Being attractive is not being an attraction.

Don't think that you are above being tempted or a temptation to someone else.

What are you known for?

What do you want to be known for?

Are you modest in behavior and discreet both in church and out of church?

Are you a careless Christian who couldn't care less, or are you motivated by wanting to love and serve God as well as your brothers?

Christian Encouragement, Creative Christian Women, & a Personal Update

Christian Encouragement
Is there someone that you can think of to encourage today?
Andrew Rappaport did some 2-minute podcasts  highlighting encouragement.

We All Need Encouragement

Encourage Someone Today



Creative Christians Ladies
There are a lot of creative Christian ladies who make things to sell from home.

The following are just a few of their that you can check out:

Helper's Hands Soaps 

Yaya's Joyful Creations

Teenzy Treasures

Personal Update: 
A family member has a torn carotid and had a stroke this month on top of all of the other things going on.   There are other things also going on that need to be dealt with.
It seems that we are being overwhelmed, and we need to depend solely on God.
I'm still having high & low pulses amongst other things and not feeling well myself which discourages me.
I know others are suffering out there, and I'm thankful that people are praying for each other.
It is good to try to not always focus just on our own suffering (though it can be hard not to)!

Modesty Revisited

How should Christian women dress?
Is it okay to wear whatever one likes regardless of how it affects others?

Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, 
1 Timothy 2:9 ESV 

The Bible tells Christians women to have proper clothing.
Other translations say "respectable" or "modest".
It also says "modestly and discreetly".
Other translations say "with shamefacedness and sobriety" or "with modesty and self-control".

Clearly, Christian women are not to be showing off their wealth or themselves by what they wear. They are to be known for doing good deeds (1 Timothy 2:10).

In Proverbs 7 there is warning about an adulterous woman, and guess how she is dressed?

And behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart. 
Proverbs 7:10 ESV 

Yes, there is such a thing as dressing in a seductive way.
In this case, the woman is intentionally trying to seduce the man.

Are there cases where women can be dressed seductively without trying to get a man to commit adultery?
Yes, but sadly many Christian women want to abdicate responsibility for dressing in a way that draws the wrong kind of attention to themselves.
Surely men do need to grow spiritually, but does that mean that Christian women have no responsibility?
No!

As a ring of gold in a swine's snout So is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
Proverbs 11:22 NASB

Let me tell you, men's eyes are drawn to where lines are.
When you have a top that shows just a little...yes, they notice.
When your shirt doesn't meet your lower clothing...they notice.
When your clothes are snug and reveal your figure...they notice.
Yes, godly men will want to look away, but you are putting temptation in their path.

If Bathsheba had gone out to take a bath intentionally for David to see her, she would be responsible for her part in being a temptation.
(Let that be a lesson to ladies to be careful.)
Christian men can be tempted.
They should look away and flee like Joseph did with Potiphar's wife, but that doesn't excuse Christian women to dress inappropriately.
Women, if you are on a diet, do you want your friends to intentionally put boxes of chocolate or your favorite food right in front of you?
Would that be sacrificial love?

Men need to pursue Christ, to flee youthful lusts, to love the Lord, to make no provision for the flesh, to be satisfied and content, but ladies ...
When Christian men tell you that certain clothing entices lust, don't callously tell them, "That's your problem!"

We are responsible to not be stumbling blocks to other believers.
We are responsible to love our brothers.
Christian women are responsible to dress modestly and discreetly.
God made men to naturally be attracted to women (which should bring about a marriage and faithfulness and possibly children), and Christian women should be the last ones to dress or act in ways which cause a man to have to battle sinful desires for a woman who is not their spouse (or entice them to lust when they are not married).
Christian men should also not dress or act in ways to sinfully entice women to sin either.

The following 1-day poll I did is not scientific, but I hope that it will give some Christian women (who actually care) a heads up on this issue.

Christian men, do you struggle with temptation with the way the women from your church dress?
Please be honest.

— K T (@KTinHills) April 15, 2017

The Master's Fellowship, Women & Holiness, Animated Luther Trailer

The Master's Fellowship

There is an exciting opportunity coming up where pastors and churches can connect with the ministries of John MacArthur and get some good teaching resources!

Learn more HERE.

Christian Women Reading Holiness Together

During the first week of April, Lord-willing some of us will be starting to read the book Holiness by J.C. Ryle.   It will be my second time.  I'm inviting Christian ladies to request to join my Facebook group.
You can join in the reading at any point during the weeks we are going through it.
You don't have to buy anything.
Imputationists - Encouragement.

LUTHER Documentary Reminder
The new documentary about Martin Luther is scheduled to be released April 21, 2017. Here is the animated trailer.
Click HERE if you missed the official trailer.

 

LUTHER: Animated Trailer from Patrol on Vimeo.

Christian Women And Gossip

Gossip is something that many of us struggle with even without intending to do it.
When we have troubles with individuals that are hard to get along with or that seem to not to like us very much, what do we do?
Do we bear up, or do we take our woes to other people?
Do we continue to love those who are hard to get along with?

The video I'm sharing today specifically addresses women.
Ina is someone I met online years ago from having watched a Living Waters program.
I believe we both used to watch it live-streaming while being in the chat room.
She's pretty impressive, and this is convicting!

Amazing Miracles - Real Prophets

Note to readers:  Since I'm a female writer, I want to disclose that before you read this.
I in no way want to be taking a role I shouldn't, and these are just my thoughts from reading in the Bible.

I'm reading 2 Kings again, and I find it quite amazing that things jump out at me that I had forgotten about.   We think about Moses being used in the parting of waters, but how many of us think about Elijah or Elisha also having waters parted for them?

I know that Jesus raised the dead, but Elijah (in 1 Kings), and Elisha (in 2 Kings) also had the dead raised by the power of God.  They prayed, and God answered.  Isn't that an amazing thought?
God worked special miracles through them.

Sometimes I forget to think about some of the similarities between what the Lord Jesus did on earth (and His apostles), and what the prophets of old were given to do.
Actually, I guess it just shows that the same God did similar miracles at different times in history.  
I know Elijah and Elisha were prophets only (thought that was a special calling), and Jesus was God the Son (which is beyond any other prophet).

Still, there were many miracles done through Elisha and others.
There was the birth of a baby to a barren woman, the resurrection of that young man later, the provision of oil to keep a lady from having her 2 sons go into slavery, the miracle of poisonous stew being rendered safe, and there was even a miracle of seemingly not enough food be multiplied with leftovers...now doesn't that sound familiar?
That is in 2 Kings chapter 4 where I read today!

There are so many types and shadows in the Old Testament of what was to come, it's amazing, isn't it?  
There is so much demonstration of God's justice, mercy, and compassion in the Bible.

Sometimes I focus so much on God's justice (and His justice is good), that I start to lose sight of His compassion and mercy (which I'm desperately in need of).

I hope that my thoughts on what I've been reading are of some benefit to someone, but please remember that I'm just a blogger!
Maybe this will even encourage someone to read what I'm reading!

Should A Woman Agree To Submit To Private Bible Studies With A Man?

Since this post could be considered instructive, I want to start out by letting people know that I am a woman.  

Should women or teen girls have private one on one Bible studies with a married man who is not their husband?   

For a married woman whose husband is a Christian, this should be a no-brainer.  You are subject to your own husband, and Ephesians 5:22-24 makes it plain that  a wife is directly under her husband (not someone else's).   Verses 26-27 shows that the husband's love must be a type that desires purification for his wife.   Christian men need to take responsibility for their own wives.   Surely women can learn from public instruction in the church, but men are the special leaders in the home.
So, of course, if a married woman has a Christian husband to lead her in Bible study that is super and desirable.
Older women also are to instruct younger women how to behave, and to love and be subject to their husbands (Titus 2:3-5).
The Bible seems to lead back to men being over their wives, and parents being over their children.

What about wives of non-believers or single women?  
Again, older women can instruct other women.
I believe this could include wives of unbelieving husbands.
The unbelieving husband is still head over the wife (1 Peter 3:1-6), but clearly the unbeliever won't be able to lead in Bible study.
We all should be willing to be disciple makers, but certainly there is a huge danger of temptation in crossing gender lines.
Women tend to form emotional attachments with those that they look up to and admire.   Men are not immune either when they meet alone with vulnerable women.   People shouldn't think that someone's being married will keep them from coveting or lusting which can lead to adultery.

Single women are very vulnerable, so as a single woman I would not want to have a private Bible study or a private in person meeting with a married man who isn't my father leading me.
I try to limit private communication to infrequent with married men, and if I ever cross over a line, I hope that I will be warned by someone and heed the warning!

Christians are to flee youthful lusts and to pursue righteousness (2 Timothy 2:22).

In Proverbs 5, there is warning for men to avoid an adulteress.
Women should also show discretion to keep from those who could lead them into temptation and sin.
Age isn't the issue.  I'm not young, but that doesn't take away danger.

In the disciples' prayer,  Jesus gave an example of praying to God the Father, and the prayer includes "lead us not into temptation."
Why would we pray for God to not lead us into temptation and then intentionally put ourselves in situations that bring it about?

Some Biblical accounts where people went into dangerous situations that did not turn out so well:
David outside looking at the roof where a woman was bathing - and then having her come to him to be intimate,  Amnon with his half sister Tamar (2 Samuel 13)- inviting her into his room alone and then violating her,  etc.  We don't even always know that someone is a danger to us.  I don't know if Bathsheba knew David's plans, and certainly Tamar didn't.  I'm not blaming them at all.  Sometimes we know the danger, and other times we can't.
David knew & Amnon knew.

Nobody is immune to temptation.  

If you think that you can intentionally put yourself into a dangerous situation and not get burned, that is not wisdom.  That is pride.
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).
Christians can fall into sin too.

David was a man after God's own heart, but he sinned.
Abraham had an immoral relationship with Hagar, but he was a man of faith.
He also threw his wife into danger by only calling her his sister in Genesis 12 & 20.
While a person whose life pattern is sin is not a believer, that doesn't mean that a true Christian will never sin or is immune to temptation.
Sin has temporal consequences even for believers.
The hyper-grace movement is a dangerous one.
Christians should never sin that grace may abound.

1 Corinthians 10:8-13 is a warning not to indulge in immorality, and again, lest we think Christians are immune, it warns those who think they stand to be careful lest they fall.
God will provide a way of escape in situations of undesired temptation (like He did for Joseph with Potiphar's wife), but that is not an invitation to intentionally put ourselves into temptation's path! Proverbs is full of warnings to avoid temptation.

Christians need to also avoid intentionally being a temptation to others.

Just as a father shouldn't provoke his children to anger, and one Christian shouldn't tempt another to go against their weaker conscience, so we should show discretion in our own behavior toward each other.

My Application Thoughts: 

For a godly woman, an example of not tempting or provoking someone to lust, would be not wearing provocative, skimpy, peek-a-boo, or tight clothing, and not to have private or flirtatious meetings with men.

It could also mean limiting the amount of private communication with married men who aren't a spouse (also making sure that others can have access to what is said).
If you are a married woman, that would also include single men.
Even what might seem spiritual, evangelistic, or harmless could become a stumbling block and a temptation (which is true for both men and women).

When there are two single people, being alone in a room or building is a great danger.
That is why when I see a movie where a single person goes into another single person's home alone the mental alarm goes off in my mind.
That is so unwise, and it is putting both people into the path of temptation.

Avoiding and fleeing temptation is good, but I need to also pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:8 NASB

I would appreciate kind Biblical feedback.

Should women submit, be subject to, or obey all men?

The Bible has a number of passages that deal with the relationship men & women have to each other.

When we look at them, we find that it does not say that women are to obey all men in general.
Women are to be under male leadership in the church (not to teach or exercise authority over men),  but there is a chain of command so to speak.  Men shouldn't be telling other men's wives what to do and usurping the husband's role.  I believe rather that men in the church should encourage men to speak with their own wives.  In general, everyone is to submit to the government.  Christians are to submit to each other. Foremost women and men are to submit to God.

We do find in the Bible that women are to submit & be subject their own husbands.
Ephesians 5:22 ; 1 Peter 2:1-2 ; Ephesians 5:24 ; 1 Peter 2:5
We find that Sarah obeyed her husband Abraham, calling him lord.
Wives are to respect their husbands. 1 Peter 3:2  This means even unbelieving husbands or ones disobedient to the Word.  Men won't always do things the way that the Bible says, but a wife should follow the husband's leadership so long as the wife isn't sinning.  That act of love and humility may even win the husband over.

Just as Christian men should not deny their wives physical intimacy, women should not deny their husbands intimacy (except by agreement for a time...1 Corinthians 7:2-6).

Those in the church are to be subject to each other in the fear of Christ, but there is a special relationship between a wife and her husband.  It's a relationship of honor and unity. It is compared to the unity of Christ and His Bride the Church.

Are women to be treated as inferiors?

 

No. 
The Bible tells us that men are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.  (See Ephesians 5:25.)
Men are to nourish and cherish their wives as they would their own bodies (Ephesians 5:28-30).
Men are to live with their wives in an understanding way (1 Peter 3:7).
Wives are fellow heirs.
Christian men should be leading and helping their wives spiritually.
Men and women both should treat each other in all the ways the Bible instructs Christians to treat each other.
If there is physical abuse going on, we are under civil laws.  Also, if the spouse professes to be a Christian, the church must exercise discipline.  Go to your church, and if threatened...go to the police.

What does it mean that women are weaker?

 

I'm sure it quickly comes to mind that women are in general physically weaker than men with some exceptions.
While many women may not want to admit it, I freely admit that I am weaker emotionally than men.
This doesn't mean that women lack intelligence or the ability to use logic. 
It means that logic can fly out the window due to being more sensitive, emotional, and hormonal.
Women have a different balance of hormones than men do.  We tend to be more tenderhearted which suits the roles that God has given to women in general.
I see in 1 Peter 3 an encouragement to follow 1 Peter 3:8 in all relationships.
A man can't live in an understanding way unless he realizes a woman's fragility, and honors her and treats her as a fellow heir (if she is a believer) in spite of her role of submission.  He should not try to dominate his wife by being a dictator, and she should not try to dominate him or be afraid of or controlled by fear of him.

Women are to have a gentle and quiet spirit, though our natural desire in our sinful fallen state is to rule over men (Genesis 3:16).
The Bible teaches us to have faith and live in love and sanctity with self-restraint (1 Timothy 2:15).
Women are to be chaste, respectful, gentle & quiet (1 Peter 3:2-4).

Now, in full disclosure, I am not married.  I still am to be subject to other Christians and the authorities the Bible has for me. 

Should Married Christian Women Work Outside the Home?

Recently I was troubled to read of a woman who was offered a job which would take her and her husband to another state. This was not because he had a job in that state, but yet they were seriously considering moving for her to take that job as though it could be God's will.

Now in this modern world, many Christians would accept a decision like that without question or qualms.

That is why I believe caution must be applied & the Bible studied on this issue.

What are some Biblical principles women can apply?

I will give some thoughts and conclusions I have come to on the issue of married women, and then share links to some articles I found on the subject authored by pastors. I do not agree 100% with one of them, but I do think they offer some additional good insight.

Ephesians 5 talks about a wife being subject to her own husband (as wells as 1 Peter 3:1 in the case of the unbelieving husband),

Titus 2:4-5 talks about women are to be workers in the home (young widows were to remarry and have children and do this).

The Proverbs 31 woman worked in her home making things, and she took her goods out to be sold to tradesmen (nowhere does it say she was employed by another man not her husband). She made other household decisions like buying a field.

Woman was created to be a helper to her husband (Genesis 2:18).

Women often helped in church ministry and with support in the Bible. Older women are to teach younger women to love their husbands and their children (Titus 2:4).

Those are some of the Biblical views I find of married women.
In a practical sense, we know there can be temptations in the workplace when people are under someone not their spouse.  Husbands and wives are cemented / glued together and that relationship reflects Christ's relationship with the church.  It is something that is not held as sacredly in a world that mocks the marriage relationship in many ways.

We know that the married woman is going to be subject to another person in most employment situations outside the home (unless there is a family business, ministry or an independent job). If that boss is a man other than the husband, then there can be a conflict of who the leader of that woman is when we look in the Bible at how people are to treat their employers or masters.


Men are to be the head of their wives and the main providers. It troubles me to see men who subject themselves to their wife's career, because it seems to fly in the face of their role as leaders and providers.

1 Tim. 5:8 says that someone who does not provide for his own is worse than an infidel (note that it is his own).

Ephesians 5:23 says that husbands are the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the Church.

Ephesians 5:29 indicates men are to nourish and cherish their wives.

Men leading, nourishing & cherishing their wives I believe includes leading in finances.

The married Christian woman's priority is to be her home & husband.
The dangers and risks are high for women working in employment outside the home - not only falling into temptation (which can also happen online) but neglecting Biblical priorities.

Married women with children cannot fulfill their Biblical role properly when they neglect their primary responsibilities to their family. I strongly believe there are Biblical principles that apply here. Most people are following cultural Christian norms reflecting the secular world & not applying the Bible to this area of their lives. Many Christians follow the world and not the Word in their everyday decision making and practice. It should not be the norm for married Christian women to be working for a man not her husband in an employment situation.

That is my strong conviction & yes I realize that this post will be stepping on many toes.

Unless a man is disabled, his job is foremost. I personally do not believe married women should work outside the home except from the home as her headquarters or "office" under the leadership & care of her husband.

I realize some disabled men may not be able to work at all, and there may be some other unusual circumstances, but we are talking norms here.
　

I'm not judging anybody else's salvation here on this topic.
We are all on different levels of spiritual growth & Biblical knowledge and convictions.
I truly do not believe women should subject her husband to her having a career where her husband has to follow her around.
I would encourage all women to study the Bible more. and get their wisdom from it.

Women and Work Outside The Home

Leadership in the Home - A Godly Man Provides


Ephesians 5:22-24 NASB

Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

Colossians 3:18

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Titus 2:4-5

so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored

1 Tim 5:14

Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach;   

Free Will vs. Predestination

 Recently I got involved in an online discussion with another woman on the the subject of free will vs. predestination.  I have edited and reordered some of my responses to share with people here.  I hope that people will understand that if you disagree that I do not hate you.  It is more for the purpose of persuasion and showing verses that support what I say.  If this seems too much like teaching and you are a man, you do not need to read further.  Also, this particular post is meant for Christians. 

Do you believe that faith is something that we do to gain salvation or that it is a gift of God given to us by His grace? 

Ephesians 2:8-10 not only points out that faith is a gift of God and not of works, but it also points out that God even prepared the good works Christians will do beforehand that we should walk in them. Even with vs. 5 of Ephesians 2 you can see that we were dead in our transgressions and God made us alive. A dead person cannot choose anything without God first making him alive.  He makes us alive and changes our will. 
 
even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),    Ephesians 2:5 NASB

Here are some more verses that point out God's sovereignty and choosing:

"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. John 6:37

And He was saying, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father." John 6:65 (all in NASB)

The "whoever" that believe or call upon the name of the Lord are the ones that in love He predestined to be adopted. ( Ephesians 1:4-6 )  All that the Father gives to Jesus will come to Him. When we say otherwise, we are questioning God's power / sovereignty. People do choose to sin ... that is all they can do apart from God's doing ... and they are happy to do so, but God in His love and mercy chose to save some ... not on the basis of what they have done. 
 
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:5

What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.” So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. Romans 9:14-18 NASB
 
 Before Jacob and Esau were born God had already chosen one over the other ... before they had done good or bad.

You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?  Romans 9:19-22 NASB

Here is a link that I would recommend reading through:

http://www.gty.org/resources/articles/A167/gods-absolute-sovereignty

Helpful Links For Christians Part 2

Below are some more links that I recommend.  Please click on the underlined titles to go to the pages.  I finally took notice that I could check a box that would let you open in another window.  This should make it easier for you to check them all out while keeping my site open as well.


Getting the Gospel Right by John MacArthur  -  So many people don't even understand what the Biblical Gospel is, and then they try to explain how to share with others.  The article linked above helps to define elements of what repentance and faith really are, etc.


Men and Women and The Public Reading of Scripture by Tim Challies - I really agree with this article, and it makes me cringe that so many churches do not think about this issue in relationship to the church.


Be Who You Are sermon by Kevin DeYoung  - This was a good message about unity or identity in Christ that I listened to when staying home from church because of illness.  While I was a bit bothered by his ad-libbing what God or the Spirit says (which other pastors I've heard have done as well), overall it was great.  I heard Kevin DeYoung live online when he spoke at the Master's College recently, and I saw a blog post he did critiquing a viral video that so many people were sharing.  So far I've been pretty impressed.  He's part of the Gospel Coalition.


The Myth of Mother Teresa by Tim Challies - This may be challenging to those who like to praise Mother Teresa as an example to follow.

Two Christian Conferences You Might Want To Attend

There are a couple of Christian conferences coming up next year that I find interesting, even though I won't be going myself. I couldn't sit that long with my pain.   Still, they sound interesting, and perhaps someone reading this blog will want to attend one of them.  One is for single men and women and the other is for married and single women

One will be held at my old church back in California.  It is the one for unmarried men and women, but it's not about dating.
 Find out more with the link below and the video clip.

http://undividedconference.org/main.html

The other conference is a women's conference to be held in Florida.
It is called "The Gospel Coalition’s 2012 National Women’s Conference." Please click on the link below or on the ad to learn more about it.

http://thegospelcoalition.org/conferences/2012-womens/#overview

What Guys Think About Modesty

I am posting this once again on my blog for those who missed it before or want to see this one again. It's something that Christian women realy need to think about. I was blessed to learn from my family and at a church about modesty, but it is neglected today for fear of offending women or geting scorned (and that can happen). This video is from a guy's perspective.
What Guys Think About Modesty from sharethemessage on GodTube.

Luke 17:1, 2
He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble.

If you have an interest and haven't seen it, I posted previously some tips in a video I did with my sister specifically for women and girls. It's very amateur, but I hope God is using and will continue to use it.
I also put it on http://www.godtube.com/ktinchrist/

Matthew 18:7
“Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!"

Another Christian Modesty Video for Women

My sister & I decided to take a stab at creating a personal video about modesty based on the teaching we have heard over the years. It's very amateur, so please be kind about that in any comment you might submit. I hope a lot of Christian ladies will watch this one anyway.

Why I Won't Watch The Movie Soul Surfer

Please follow this link to a great 15 minute audio review. Just click the arrow for the April 12, 2011 Segment of the Day on the left to play it.
http://www.wretchedradio.com/podcast.cfm?h=B545A7052AF7F09C1AFFAD09F20827EC&page=3

Add to that for me personally...even as a woman it gives discomfort to view that much of that kind of thing. Even shirtless men can be a discomfort or problem for women as well.

Ladies, What Do Your Clothes Say About You ? ...Modesty Part 2

This is a 15 minute and 18 second follow-up to my previous post on what guys think about modesty, so I hope you will have listened to that one before watching this one. Please excuse the spelling errors in the video. As a personal addition I would like to add some wise advice I've learned from others when it comes to the clothing part of the subject of modesty. "Where the line ends the eye begins" is a good starting point to think about when it comes to clothing, and also when you bend over you may want to consider holding your hand to your chest if you care about your brothers in Christ and your Christian witness. Also, tight clothing that leaves little to be imagined is a problem for men.


A disclaimer about this (as the original had stopped working).  I don't know who the speaker is, & I can't vouch for Proverbs 31 Ministries (not familiar with them).  Even in this film there is some immodesty. 
Jus

Clip On Modesty Under 9 Minutes

I just saw this yesterday and wanted to share it. It's really a great one! Please, Christian women especially watch this one.
It's about what Christian guys think about modesty/ immodesty.

What Guys Think About Modesty from sharethemessage on GodTube.