Clearing The Air: Misconceptions About Women Series

Clearing the Air: Common Misconceptions about Women

Introduction:

Today is Mother’s Day. It is a day we set aside to honor our mothers. Mother’s Day just like Father’s Day, but with flowers, cards, gifts, and meals. There is a lot of confusion about women. In fact I am confused about women and perhaps I need someone to better explain women to me. If I better understood women then perhaps it would keep me out of trouble. Women are difficult to understand. For example when a woman says, “Okay” that may really mean “no”. I am just kidding I love women, my mother was actually one. If it wasn’t for women we wouldn’t be here would we? It is because of that that we celebrate a Mother’s Day. Our mother’s have taught us a lot of things haven’t they.

My mother taught me religion: When I spilled juice on the carpet, she instructed, "You better pray the stain will come out of the carpet." My mother taught me logic: From her decisive words, "Because I said so, that’s why." My mother taught me foresight: "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re in an accident." My mother taught me irony: "Keep laughing and I’ll give you something to cry about." My mother taught me about stamina: "You’ll sit there ’til all that spinach is finished." My mother taught me about weather: "It looks as if a tornado swept through your room." My mother taught me the circle of life: "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out." My mother taught me about behavior modification: "Stop acting like your father!" My mother taught me about envy: "There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don’t have a wonderful Mom like you do!"

We live in a world where there is a lot of confusion about women and their role in the home and in the church. I believe that it is important for us to clear the air and to address the subject of women. What better time to deal with these misconceptions than on Mother’s Day?

Text: I Peter 3:1-6

I. Women Are Not As Spiritual As Men

One day Adam and his boys were out for a walk and happened upon the Garden of Eden. One of the boys said, “Dad, what is that place?” Adam responded, “Guys, that’s where your mother ate us out of house and home.”

Perhaps no one would outright say it, but it sure does seem like some people act as if women are spiritually inferior to men. It seems like many times people view learning the Scriptures and applying them as part of a man’s responsibility. I do not believe women are spiritually inferior to men. In fact women are often the backbone of a church. You hear of countless stories of women faithfully coming to church, perhaps brining their children without their husbands. You hear of instances of it happening the other way, but the majority of the time the women in the church are faithful and dependable. I might also add that often times women are more constant in their character. You hear every now and then of women doing immoral things, but more often than not it is not women going over the deep end morally.

The Barna Research Online reports; 7 out of every 10 women say they are deeply spiritual compared only 5 out of 10 men. 46% of U.S. women hold beliefs that classify them as born again, compared to 36% of men.

Many men here would agree that their wives are simply better people than they are. I have always heard it said that women are the last moral fabric of a society and when the women of a society begin to slip morally it is bad news from there.

I heard a little story about a husband who took his wife out on a little lake to teach her how to fish. When they finished and got back home, the neighbor asked her how she did. The wife replied, “Well, I am not sure. According to my husband, I did everything wrong. First, he said I was moving around too much in the boat. Then he said I was talking too much and chased the fish away. Next, he made fun of the way I baited the hook. Lastly, he said ugly words to me because I didn’t wait long enough before reeling in my line. I guess I am not a fisherman, but I did catch more fish than he did.”

Perhaps some people would not think of women as spiritual giants and perhaps when they think of the heroes of the faith perhaps men come to mind.

1. Women have the same character expectations

There is no exception clauses in the commands of Scripture based on one’s gender. Men and women have the same character expectations and that is that we be holy as God is holy.