From the book: Family Focus on Christ

Family Focus on Christ #2

THE MINISTRY OF A WOMAN
previous   next

The beauty of the submission of the woman is a type of the submission of the church under Christ. As we continue our message, our central theme will be the ministry of the woman.

It must not be thought that since a woman is to keep silent in church, and not to usurp authority over her husband, she has no ministry to the world. A woman has a powerful and vital ministry. Now we will consider the ministry of the woman.

I want you to take notice that throughout the Scriptures the central theme of the woman's ministry is one of example. I want to share with you an expression I like. "What you are speaks so loudly, I cannot hear what you say." What you are sometimes speaks much louder than words. We can have the most powerful ministry by example. I believe that we can be a greater witness unto the Lord by example than by words. I have seen many people who could make nice speeches and say convincing things, but when I watched their walk of life, their words rang hollow.

Not long ago, I spoke with a man who said, "I will not go to a church. I will not be part of an assembly because the professed Christians are the most dishonest people with whom I have ever dealt." By their example they have brought reproach upon God and have caused His name to be blasphemed.

A few years ago, I spoke with a man in his late seventies. He was notorious for being the most profane man in the entire community. I asked him, "Otto, would you tell me something? Why do you take God's name in vain? You are the boldest blasphemer, and the most profane person I've ever come to know. Would you tell my why you are that way?"

This may have been the first time in his life that he had an audience to whom he could express why he was so blasphemous. He went on at length telling me of the professed Christians with whom he had dealt. Their examples had caused him to reject religion. They were not walking according to their profession. They were not walking according to the Word of God. They brought such reproach upon Christianity that he came to the point that he was blaspheming the name of God. All these different instances had made religion repulsive to him.

What is the real ministry of the woman? Her example. In the previous chapter we dealt with a husband being in error. It is by her chaste conversation, meekness, humility, love, and example that his wife will win him. The ministry of a woman is a ministry of example, and that is a powerful ministry. There are many who are shipwrecked because the example of those who profess to be Christians, is contrary not only to the Word of God but to their own profession.

Not too long ago, I spoke with a man about the reproach professed Christians brought upon God's name. He complained about how various professing Christians had cheated him and deceived him. It is this type of example that has destroyed the faith of thousands, or even millions. That example has given, "...great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme...," the name of God, 2SA 12:14.

The main ministry of a woman is by example. It is a blessed ministry if a woman truly has that "meek and quiet spirit" spoken of in 1PE 3:3-5. This meek and quiet spirit is a spirit of subjection.

My mother had a friend whose husband was a blasphemer. Her children, of course, followed his example of leniency. That woman had a meek and quiet spirit. She prayed for her husband and children at the table. She read her Bible to the family. Even now, years after she is gone, her children hold her in high esteem. Why? It is because of her ministry.

In her home she demonstrated a meek and quiet spirit. She was submissive to her husband even though he was an unbeliever. She did not rise up in rebellion against her husband because she was in subjection.

Her children talk about the religion of their mother with the highest respect. They look at her as a woman who was truly a Christian, even though they may not walk in the ways of the Lord themselves. They still hold their mother in high respect because of her example and her walking in a meek and quiet spirit in subjection to her husband.

"But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God," 1CO 11:3. Do your see how subjection, or submission to the man, is emphasized? The submission of Christ to His Father, the man to Christ, and the woman to the man is taught by the example of Christ. The most powerful part of the preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ was by example. Look at the powerful preaching there is in an example.

See the example the Lord Jesus Christ set in 1PE 2:21-24. "For even hereunto were ye called: Because Christ also suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."

See the example Jesus set in HEB 12:2. "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame...," all in the way of subjection. In the next verse our attention is drawn to His example. "For consider him...."

This directs our attention to the Lord Jesus Christ as the example of submission to His head, which is the Father. Do you see that example? "For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself lest ye be weary and faint in your minds." Consider Christ's example lest you become discouraged and forsake God, lest you become weary and faint in your mind and turn your back on God. The example of the Lord Jesus Christ becomes powerful preaching.

We must look to the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ as an example for our faith. The Lord Jesus Christ, by His example of submission to His head, became the most powerful preacher on earth. Do you see what a power there is in preaching by example? This is the ministry of the woman. It is by her example of submission to her husband that she can, "teach the young women to love their husbands."

A man told me about a terrible trial that he had just been through. He explained how the Lord had delivered him. While he was weeping, he came and put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Ralph, if it hadn't been for your faith, I would never have made it through my trial."

That struck me, so I asked, "What do you mean if it hadn't been for my faith?" He responded, "I've been by your place. I saw the trials and struggles you were going through. I also saw the portion of God's Word on which you relied." After a short pause he went on to say, "And then I saw the deliverance God gave you."

This experience opened my eyes to see the beauty in the example of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was His faith which was the object of my faith. My eyes were raised heavenward, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher," of my faith. I was able to see that it was by His faith that He, "...became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross," PHI 2:8. It was by His faith that He suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane.

My trial was a trial of obedience. Would I obey the Lord at all costs? I had to obey. The Lord gave me such a blessed deliverance. It was that example of which this man was speaking when he said, "If it hadn't been for your faith...."

Now we can start to understand what I am saying about the woman's ministry. By His example of submission to His head, Jesus became the most powerful preacher on earth. It is by the example of their faith and subjection that women become the pillars in the church. I think this is so beautiful. "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith."

God's Word tells us in EPH 5:23-24, "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church...Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be unto their own husbands in everything."

The submission of Christ unto His Father and of the church unto Christ is the example for the woman to be in submission unto her husband. The submission of the woman unto her husband becomes an example unto all Christianity. This submission demonstrates to every Christian the meaning of submission to the head which was placed over them by God the Father.

God the Father has placed the man as the head of the woman. By an example of submission, she brings strength into the entire church when they observe her meek and quiet spirit. In 1PE 3:2, it says, "While they behold...." It is not only what they hear, but also what they behold—her chaste conversation. That spirit of meekness and lowliness is powerful preaching. It is a ministry by example.

1 Peter 3:1-2 speaks about chaste conversation coupled with fear. There is such a powerful example given when a woman has a chaste conversation coupled with fear, or reverence. The spirit of reverence is one of the most blessed things I remember about my mother. She taught us reverence from the time we were old enough to hear until the time of her death. She faithfully taught reverence for the authority of God and His Word.

My mother would never allow us to speak of God with a hat on. Do you know why? We had to remove our hats in reverence to the Word of God. If we talked about the things which pertained to the Bible or the Lord, we always did it with reverence. We were never allowed to laugh and play in between singing hymns. If we were singing hymns, it was to be done with reverence.

She also taught reverence and respect for the honor of the father as the head of the household. It is so important for a mother to teach her children, by her example, about submission to the authority of her husband. She must also teach her household the need of revering and respecting the authority of the parents. There is only one commandment with promise. The promise is, "That thy days may be long upon the land which thy Lord thy God giveth thee." What is the commandment? "Honour thy father and thy mother," EXO 20:12; EPH 6:1-3.

In the absence of the father, the children see the mother as the head of the house. While the father is out making the living, the little children are influenced by the example of their mother. When they see that their mother, by her example, has true reverence for her husband, they are taught to respect their parents.

This example also teaches the children reverence and respect for the Lord and His Word. This teaching can only be accompanied by example. If children are truly going to learn respect and reverence, it must be taught by the example of their mother.

We need to see the importance of the woman's ministry in our own homes as an example for our children. It is the responsibility of the mother to teach her children while the father is out working. This isn't something that can be done in an hour or two in the evening when the father is able to sit down and talk. The example set by the mother is the greatest training there is for a child.

We are taught this ministry of example in 1PE 3:2, where it says, "While they behold your chaste conversation...." There is more than hearing a conversation. "...they behold...." It is what we see. The example that is set is what we behold.

TIT 2:3 teaches that the behavior of a woman is a powerful ministry. "The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness..." A woman's behavior, whether she is in her home or with her husband in public, must be that which becometh holiness. They are setting an example for their children, their grandchildren, the young women, and those who are the followers of Christ.

If a woman is doing contrary to what she is saying, her behavior betrays her. If she is a talebearer, a whisperer, or a false accuser, her behavior can certainly betray her and be a reproach upon what she professes as a Christian. "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell," JAM 3:6. Where the heart is, the conversation will be also.

What women do and what they are speaks so loudly you cannot hear what they say. They could be very sincere and give the children instruction from the Bible, but if their behavior betrays them, they become a blasphemer of the name of God.

It is so important that a woman understands that her behavior is her ministry. It says in TIT 2:3 that they are not to be "false accusers." They are not to be an informant for the grapevine. This is a very grievous thing. "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly." PRO 26:20-22.

By their example, mothers train their children to become talebearers. Let any little thing arise and the phones are ringing. Do you know what they are doing? By their examples, they are causing God's name to be blasphemed. Once again, example is the most powerful ministry that a woman can have.

Our text says that they are not to be, "given to much wine." In other words, they are not to be spending their time in the things of earthly pleasures. That word "wine" doesn't necessarily mean drunkenness, but it means to wine-and-dine. It means not to be given to worldly entertainment. We can be, "given to much wine," in the spiritual sense, without ever touching liquor.

What we're speaking of here is getting caught up in earthly entertainment. This can include rock and band music, all of which is meant to entertain the flesh. Being "given to much wine," is to be given to the things of vanity, the things of this world, the things that entertain the flesh. We're not to be given to much wine, but we're to be "teachers of good things." That is another example of the ministry of a woman.

The woman is a type of the bride of Christ. This is true for every person. That is not only the teaching of a woman, but that is the teaching of the bride of Christ. The woman in subjection to the man is thereby demonstrating the relationship between Christ and His bride, which is the church. Teaching by example is a ministry for every professing believer. Every professing believer is admonished to understand that the strongest ministry they have is to be an example.

If I told my child to be very careful while driving, and then I drove recklessly myself; what I have said means nothing, because they have watched my example. What I am speaks so loudly they can't hear what I say. I believe it is so important that we understand these things.

In TIT 2:4 the older women are admonished, "That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children." What does it mean to be sober? Does that mean not drunken? No. It doesn't have anything to do with liquor. According to the original Greek word, to be sober in this instance would mean disciplined, correct, sober and of a sound mind.

Let's first speak of soberness as self-discipline. There is a lot to be taught here. A person must first be self-disciplined. They must be self-disciplined to set an example and to properly discipline their children. That is the first thing connected with the word sober. When we talk about being sober, we are not talking about being foolish, or vain, but self-disciplined and training our children with sound discipline.

Another meaning of sober would be, to correct. This is a very interesting thing. To correct their husbands as in 1PE 3:1-2, "If any obey not the Word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear," they must correct wrong. They must see things. They are like watchmen. They see things that ought not to be and make suggestions for corrections.

I'm not saying that they usurp authority over their husbands, but they don't sit back if their husbands are doing things contrary to the Word of God. This correction must be made with a meek and a quiet spirit, with conversation their husbands can behold. Submission and reverence must be there. When a wife corrects a husband, she must do it through her "chaste conversation coupled with fear."

A woman can also correct the younger women of the church. When we speak of young women, we aren't only talking about young girls. The woman is a type of the bride of Christ, and the young woman is a type of young believer in the church. Teaching with sobriety and correction is by speaking a word in season.

I previously mentioned a lady who was a very close friend of my mother. She had wisdom to speak a word in season; she had such a loving way of bringing forth a word of correction. She spoke in such a way that one sentence spoke volumes.

She was able to speak a word of correction with such meekness, love, and tenderness that everybody respected and honored her. Even though her husband and her children were not of the same spirit, they held her in high respect; because if she spoke a word of correction, it was always seasoned with salt. It was always well taken.  

To be sober is to be of sound mind. There is so much contained in the Scripture when we study it thoroughly. In MAR 5:15 it speaks of the Gadarene who was possessed of the Devil. "And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind...."

When we talk about being sober, or of a right mind, what are we really talking about? We're talking about any mind being delivered from the things of death. Being in a sound mind means being in the Spirit of Christ. To teach how to be sober is to teach how to walk in the Spirit of Christ. That is to be able to sit, like the Gadarene, at Jesus' feet.

Do you know what that sitting posture demonstrates? It demonstrates humility. He was sitting at Jesus' feet. "And he was clothed...." Clothed in what? He was clothed in the robe of Christ's righteousness! What do we mean by the robe of Christ's righteousness? We mean the spirit of submission and subjection. That is what is meant when she is teaching soberness.

She's to be sober, seated at the feet of Jesus in total subjection to His authority, clothed in the "meek and quiet spirit," of subjection to her husband. This is the true spirit of meekness to the head that God has placed over her and to the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a spirit of meekness to the authority of the Word of God.

"...and in his right mind...," MAR 5:15. The example of the Gadarene is such powerful preaching. When he was walking in the things of spiritual death, "among the tombs," or all these things of the world; he was not in his right mind. There is much said in the term, to be sober. It also means to be of a sound mind. Teaching to be sober must be taught by example.

In TIT 2:5 we are told that wives are, "To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed." Now let's take notice of the word discreet. The word discreet means discerning; that we are able to discern right from wrong; that we're able to discern a wrong spirit.

When I was a young child, I used to be a little offended by my mother. She'd come to me and say, "Now don't be so foolish." She had a loving way of saying it, and she was always discreet about it. She would catch me by myself and explain to me, "Now don't be so foolish." That is being discreet.

Prudence runs in the same track. It means to be discerning. It means to do that which is wise. It is not just acting on an impulse, but doing that which is wise. It is to be courteous and not rash.

Sometimes we can gain a city or win a war, but how? We win by being discreet, prudent, discerning, courteous, and not rash. "Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city...," ECC 9:15. If we would try to do the same thing with harshness and rashness, we would most likely get nothing but repulsion. The ministry of the wife can also be through the example of prudence.

Our text also calls upon a woman to be chaste. What do we mean by the word chaste? We mean pure and clean. We're not only meaning that she is to be free from adultery, but to be pure spiritually. She is to be free from defilement of rebellion against her husband and the Word of God. She is also to be free from malice. She is not to carry a grudge, be bitter or hateful, argue, be contentious, or be a backbiter. These are what constitute being chaste.

A whisperer usually tells something that is not verified; it does not edify, but brings down. The grapevine is not something that builds a person up, but it is almost always something that lessens somebody else's esteem. The Scriptures speak so very strongly against whispering, backbiting, and talebearing. That all comes under the issue of being chaste, which is being pure from these things. This takes grace, and it is an example that we should set.

If somebody does something that is less than honorable, should it be the first thing we drum into everyone's ears? No! The Scripture says that love covers sin. If we see somebody that has sinned, and we feel that it brings reproach upon the Lord; we should do everything that we can to cover it. Then if we have an opportunity, we should do everything in our power to share with that person and try to get them to see that what they're doing is wrong, and they should refrain from doing it. Do you ask why? We must never cause God's name to be blasphemed.

Our text speaks of, "Keepers of the home." Do you know what it means to be keeper of the home? It means more than just doing the cooking, house-cleaning, and tending to the children. It also means to do what is to the honor of the husband in the home. I want you to understand that if a woman is not a tidy housekeeper, it becomes reproachful to her husband. This is sinning against the Word of God.

When she does not keep the home tidy, it is not a pleasure for the husband to come home to be with the family. She has violated the Word of God in that she is not a keeper of the home.

There is another way she must be a "keeper of the home." She's not to be a renegade. She is to be there at home. She's not to be out running the business and managing the affairs. If she learns to live within her means, she will not need a job to help pay bills. No. She belongs with the children in the home; so that when her husband comes home after a day of work, his supper is on the table, the house is clean and the bed is made. Then he can enjoy coming home, and he feels like he has a good home.

Our text says she is to be "good." This means that she is to be in total subjection to her husband, for it follows to be "obedient to their own husbands." This is telling us that the woman's ministry of example becomes a powerful ministry. It is much more powerful than could ever be demonstrated if she would try to have a vocal ministry, when the Word of God commands that she is to be silent.

Any attempt for a woman to enter a preaching ministry is in open rebellion against the Word of God. It only brings blasphemy against the Word of God. She is not to be teaching in the church, and she's not to be out with a ministry of teaching the Scriptures, 1PE 14:34-37; 1TI 2:9-14.

The husband is to be the shepherd and bishop of her soul, 1PE 2:25-31. Preaching and teaching God's Word in the church is scripturally not her job. The ministry of the woman is by her example of submission and subjection. Her ministry by example is a much more powerful ministry than she could ever bring forth with words.

The next thing our text speaks about is teaching the young women to be, "obedient to their own husbands that the Word of God be not blasphemed." I gave a little illustration of that before, but I want to point out something else. The Word of God can become blasphemed within the community and within the church on account of a woman's rebellion against the authority of God to place her under the authority of her husband, GEN 3:16. God's name becomes blasphemed by unbelievers who are looking on.

God's Word is blasphemed before the family and the children when the authority of God to place the woman under the authority of her husband is not held in reverence. God's Word says in PSA 138:2, "I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name."

We find in PHI 2:9-11 that God the Father hath highly exalted the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you know why? It is because He was obedient. He was, "obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." God the Father was so glorified. I want you to think about this. "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God, the Father."

Think of how the Father was glorified by such obedience. God the Father has so highly exalted that name of Jesus that the name of Jesus is to be sounded through heaven throughout eternity. The heavens are to ring with the name of Jesus. Yet, look what it says in PSA 138:2. He has magnified His Word above all His Name. Think of how jealous God is of His Word. We are not to slight God's Word or show it the slightest irreverence.

The women are to be, "obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed." When we slight His Word or show the slightest rebellion against His Word, we cause God's name to be blasphemed. To show the slightest rebellion against, or disrespect for the Word of God or His name, in any way, is blasphemous.

There is a caution about the example the woman sets. "That the Word of God be not blasphemed...." The godly women are admonished to obey these things that the Word of God be not blasphemed. Women may think they are doing some good thing. They are going out with a ministry doing tremendous things, all contrary to the Word of God. This is bringing blasphemy upon His Word.

We must search out and see where our proper station is according to the Word of God. The proper station of a woman is in subjection. Her husband is the shepherd and the bishop of her soul.

In the previous chapter I spoke about how the duty of the Shepherd is to feed, look after and to keep the flock; but the duty of the Bishop is to teach. Now the husband is to be the head of the woman, even as Christ is the head of the church. Christ is the Shepherd and the Bishop of our souls. "LIKEWISE," the husband is the shepherd and bishop of her soul; he is to do the teaching.

In 1PE 3:1-2 it ways, "LIKEWISE, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives." A woman must set an example of meekness by her conversation. "While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear." That is an example of reverence for the authority of the Word of God.

1 Peter 3:16-17 tells us, "having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ." That good conversation becomes so manifest that those who falsely accuse will be made ashamed. Why? It shall be proven by your chaste conversation, your good example and your conduct that they're not telling the truth.

We read in verse 17, "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing." We must know that the Lord allows us to be rejected, put out and despised for well doing and for being firm with the Word of God. This is within the Will of God.

"For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully," 1PE 2:19. Every woman in her ministry of example is going to have times when she will suffer wrongfully. That is part of being in subjection to a person who is not perfect.

Think of the tremendous demonstration of submission to the Word of God she is showing when she is able and willing to suffer wrongfully. "For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God," 1PE 2:20.

There is no reason for her to become harsh and rash just because she is suffering. Suffering wrongfully is even sent by the Lord, and the Lord does this to try our faith. Christians' good works glorify God. It is God the Father who is glorified. It is God the Son who is glorified. Wives aren't doing it for their own glory or their husband's glory. By their good works they glorify God.

"Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation," 1PE 2:12. In that day of visitation when the Lord comes to visit them for what they've done and said to you, then they'll remember that conversation.

They will also remember that meek and quiet spirit. They will remember the reproof they received. It says, "Whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." Then they will remember what they have done.

In 1CO 7:16 we read, "For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband?...." I mentioned earlier about my mother's personal friend whose husband was a professed unbeliever. I believe she was the means that was used to save her husband through her meekness. There's good hope that at the end of his life the Lord brought him home as a prodigal son.

He was in church when a pastor was speaking about the prodigal son. This man was so overcome. He was taken in by that sermon. The Lord may have saved that man through the patience and submission of his wife, "For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?" 1CO 7:16. A woman's example of patience can be a much more powerful ministry than any attempt at a public ministry.

In 1PE 3:4 what, in the sight of God, is of great price? That meek and that lowly spirit of subjection and submission is a preaching by example, which is in the sight of God of great price.

The Lord looks at that as He looks at the robe of righteousness. This is so blessed if we see how in heaven the glory of God, which is Christ's righteousness, and the Lamb shall be the light of it, REV 21:23. The glory of God is righteousness or submission. Righteousness is the habitation of His throne; therein, the Lord is glorified.

Now we want to speak about modest apparel. "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel...," 1TI 2:9. "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting of the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel." 1PE 3:3.

This is another example that the women must set. They should not try to outdo each other with the prettiest hairdo, the most gold, or the nicest garments, etc. Why? Because it distracts.

The Lord tells us, "Let your moderation be known unto all men...," PHI 4:5. Doing things with moderation does not mean that we should wear black, so that we become a spectacle. If after spending a day with you a person is asked what kind of clothes you had on, the answer should be, "I don't rightly remember."

There should be absolutely nothing about your clothing that would cause vanity or pride. It is not revealing or radical, nor does it indulge in excesses. This is what is called moderation.

When our clothing causes jealousy, or is a spectacle, the Lord is not pleased. Modest apparel means moderation. This means you should wear clothing that has no tendency to draw attention. "Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting of the hair, or wearing of gold, or the putting on of apparel." As I said before, it should be in moderation.

1 Timothy 2:9 speaks about shame-facedness and sobriety. "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shame-facedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array." What do we mean by shame- facedness? When sin came into this world, the Lord pronounced a curse upon all mankind.

The man and the woman were both cursed. "And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken; for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return," GEN 3:17-19.

The woman also had a curse pronounced upon her. "Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee," GEN 3:16.

This shame-facedness means we shall not exalt ourselves. If we make much ado over hair styles and apparel, we are forgetting the curse and the sobriety. Women must adorn themselves in modest apparel. Men and women alike were brought under the curse of sin. Christ, who knew no sin, became a curse by hanging on that cross. It is that curse which we're acknowledging by shame- facedness with sobriety.

In speaking of modest apparel we must address DEU 22:5. I think this is an important point that we must touch on. "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God."

Now the question comes, "What about in today's society? Are women wearing that which pertains to a man?" My answer is yes. I believe they are in direct violation of that command. The argument is, "Well, but that's not man's clothing; that's still a woman's garment." There's still a state of confusion. It's still a double standard.

My first question is, "Is that garment modest?" NO!! All too many of these pants or slacks are designed with the purpose of causing lust! They are designed with the intent of causing a man to cast his eye upon them to lust!

When I go into a school zone, I see a sign with a black silhouette. It seems to me that one member in the silhouette is a boy dressed in trousers, and the other is a girl in a dress. Now am I confused? Does that silhouette show two girls, one taller and in pants, with the other in a dress? I think the intent of that silhouette is that one is a boy and one is a girl.

In order to resolve the state of confusion, I would like you to take notice when you are in a public place. Look at the silhouette on the bathroom doors. One door will have a silhouette with the trousers, the other with a dress. Am I consistently going in the wrong bathroom, or do pants pertain to a man?

I don't think it's a point of argument. I think it's a point of gainsaying. It's a matter of trying to justify an evil to even argue whether or not pants pertain to a man. These examples from the world should end all question in our minds.

It's not a matter of whether it's men's pants or women's pants, but pants pertain to a man. "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth to a man...." It is not a matter of opinion; it's a matter of submission to the authority of God's Word. The purpose of the Lord, stated in this command, is that there should be no confusion.

We read in 1CO 11:19 about heresies. "For there must also be heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you." What is a heresy? It is a "movement or a sect". Today, there is the unisex movement. The purpose of this sect or movement is to destroy the distinction between the male and female. As a result of this movement, the women wear shoes, shirts, pants, and hair styles which pertain to a man. The result is the loss of identity between the man and woman. When the women wear that which pertains to a man, we cannot tell them apart.

Where does the women's liberation movement come from? It comes from being deceived. When the woman was in the Garden of Eden, she was deceived to believe that through rebellion she could become equal with God. "...and ye shall be as gods knowing good and evil," GEN 3:5.

The Lord reproved this pride of self exaltation by placing the woman under the authority of her husband. Now Satan has again deceived the woman to believe that through rebellion she can become equal to the man. This is not only rebellion against the husband, but openly defying God's authority to place her under her husband. The women's liberation movement is heresy. The ministry of a woman is through her example of Godliness.

We read in 1CO 11:19, "For there must also be heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you." What is this teaching? The Lord is going to allow these heresies, these movements, to come in among the church. For what purpose? So, "... that those who are approved might be made manifest...," 1CO 11:19.

It's for a trial in the church. It will be a trial of faith for those who are approved. They will be tried with the obedience of faith. It will bring them to the surface, and they are going to be revealed. When this ministry is missing, i.e., the woman's example of godliness, there can be no peace.

In 1CO 7:15 God has called us to peace. If your unbelieving partner departs, you are not under bondage. Now when I say unbelieving, I mean a person who walks in open rebellion against the Word of God. You might have some of the most profound professors of religion who are, in fact, the greatest unbelievers in the world. They are walking in open rebellion to the Word of God. "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" MAT 7:16.

We read in 1CO 7:15, "But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace." Do you know what peace is? It is to walk according to the Word of God with our hearts and minds fixed upon Him. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee," ISA 26:3.

We cannot gainsay these truths. We cannot argue with these truths. We cannot contradict, oppose, deny, controvert, or dispute these truths. That is what it means to gainsay. These truths are so clearly and so absolutely the Word of God that there is no gainsaying to them. Any person trying to gainsay these truths only proves one thing: they are unbelievers, rebelling against the authority of the Word of God. They're not willing to walk in the ways that He has ordained.

We read in REV 21:27, "And there shall in no wise enter into it [the new heaven] anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." Righteousness, or submission to God's will, is the glory of God.

We read in REV 21:23, "...for the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof." This will be the light of heaven. When the righteousness of Christ shall be the light of heaven, how are we going to come before that light? How are we going to come before that discerning presence of God in the day of judgment?

Those who have died in their rebellion shall, "... hide themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains," and they shall call, "...to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb," REV 6:16.

Why? It is because they cannot come to that light. This will be a horrible thing in the Day of Judgment. It will be the greatest delusion ever to take place, when they enter in and find that the very light of heaven is enough to drive them away. The submission, the righteousness of Christ, shall be the very light that shall reveal their denying and contradicting of the Word of God.

Look in 2TH 2:10. It tells us so clearly, "They received not the love of the truth...." You see what this boils down to? It's a matter of not being willing to accept the truth. "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." That is a horrible condemnation.

See what is said in verses 11 and 12. "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." What is unrighteousness? Unrighteousness is disobedience to the Word of God. They contradict the Word of God, because, "they loved not the truth." Contradicting, opposing, denying, controverting, disputing, or gainsaying God's Word is unrighteousness, "Because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth," 2TH 2:13.

It says clearly in REV 21:27, "And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." I think it is very important that we understand that we do not gainsay the Word of God, and we do not contradict it.

See what a contrast there is between those who perish, and those clothed in that, "fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." That fine linen is their love of the truth, their submission to God's will, and their renewed hearts. Those who are robed in that fine linen do not fear the light of Christ's righteousness, for that imparted righteousness of Christ is that with which they are robed!

That day will be the most blessed day for those who love and obey the Words of Christ. Jesus said, "Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock...," LUK 6:47-48.

We are building upon that foundation if we not only hear but do the Will of God. Amen.