It’s the challenge of every man to help the woman in his life find her voice, and then, be respectful and receptive when that voice speaks. -Steve Arterburn
About a month I got to hear Steve Arterburn, author of Every Man’s Battle, during a Women of Faith conference. He encouraged every woman to find her to find her strong voice.
Strong voice.
The church has always told me women should keep quiet.
Have you ever wondered why the church teaches that?
Well, it’s biblical.
“Women should be silent during the church meetings” (1 Cor 14:34) and “Women should learn quietly and submissively. I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly.” (1 Tim. 2:11-12).
Have you ever wondered why it’s biblical?
For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result. (1 Tim. 2:13-14).
Just like the pain of childbearing, the restriction on women in the church assembly is a consequence of sin. That restriction is a warning. It is a divine admonition, God’s reminder that those who forget the past are destined to repeat it. It is to keep us out of trouble.
It is biblical. But this is biblical too:
If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
