What if someone came up to you and told you that you were a silly woman, or a gullible woman?
Would you be insulted? Feel disrespected? Become angered?
How would you respond? What would you do?
What if I asked you if you are or were ever a silly woman? What if I told you I once was?
In fact, I was for many years. I shared a very personal part of my story, which happened to be the catalyst for why I started this blog. I’ve talked about all different types of women on this blog, especially the ones you want to become while you are waiting and becoming God’s best. Today, however, I want to talk to you about a type of woman you don’t want to become and 3 ways to not become her.
Here is how our big brother Paul described it, in 4 different translations (emphasis mine):
For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 3:6-7, nkjv
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 timothy 3:6-7, kjv
For they are the ones who worm their way into the hearts of vulnerable women, spending the night with those who are captured by their lusts and steeped in sin. They are always learning but never discover the revelation-knowledge of truth.
2 timothy 3:6-7, Passion translation
These are the kind of people who smooth-talk themselves into the homes of unstable and needy women and take advantage of them; women who, depressed by their sinfulness, take up with every new religious fad that calls itself “truth.” They get exploited every time and never really learn.
2 timothy 3:6-7, the message
So what does this mean? Let’s break it down a bit here. As I usually like to do, I often ask questions of the text, as I shared here in a free resource. It’s important for us to really understand what the text is saying and how it applies to us, especially because we are truly living in the last days.
Paul was writing this message to his young protege’, Timothy, as a warning about difficult times ahead. Like a good mentor or big brother in the faith, he wanted to prepare Timothy as a young minister, help him to stay grounded in his faith, fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12) and endure hardship as a good solider (2 Tim. 2: 3-4). Paul begins a description of the types of people that will characterize the signs of the times, people he instructs Timothy (and subsequently all believers) to avoid, in 2 Timothy 3:2-9.
In the middle of those verses, Paul begins to describe a type of woman that he refers to as silly, gullible, vulnerable, unstable and needy. He also references the type of people who go after these type of women:
- Those who creep into their houses
- Those who worm their way in
- Those who smooth talk themselves in
Side note: This doesn’t only refer to a man or someone who may be interested in you, as we will later learn, but can be anyone described in these verses. You may not be this type of woman, but be sure you aren’t guilty of being one who is described above either.
My questions: How are they, the ones who go after these women, able to do this? How can I make sure I am not this type of woman? If we, as women of God, are called to guard our hearts (Prov. 4:23), how have some of us allowed these type of people in our lives?
Paul gives us 3 ways this can happen and I will share 3 truths to embrace in order to not become this type of woman:
1. Women who are loaded down with sins, steeped in sin or depressed by their sinfulness.
TRUTH antidote: If this describes you, the Word of God tells us that we can confess our sins to our Father because He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). It also says we are to throw off any weight or sin that so easily entangles us so we can run this race (Hebrews 12:1). You do not have to be loaded down with your sins, captured by them or depressed about them. There is One who knows all about you, whether you tell Him or not, and He wants to hear from you! He will not judge you or condemn you. Sis, lay those burdens and the guilt of them on Him because He cares for you. He died for those sins so you don’t have to carry the weight of it anymore.
2. Women who are led away by various lusts, captured by lusts or controlled by various desires/passions (NLT/ESV), “easily swayed…by evil desires and sedutive impulses” (AMPC).
TRUTH antidote: If this describes you, the Word of God tells us that we are lured away and enticed by our own desires, which can and often leads to sin, and thus death (James 1:13-15). If we are constantly sowing into or giving into what pleases our flesh rather than the Spirit of God, we will reap a harvest of corruption, decay and death (Galatians 6:8). Live by pleasing the Spirit (Galatians 6:8) instead of being controlled or led away by your desires, which most times are of the flesh unless you are walking in step with the Spirit). “Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives” (Galatians 5:16, NLT).
3. Women who are constantly following new teachings (NLT), always learning or taking up every new religious fad that calls itself truth, but never coming into the knowledge of the TRUTH.
TRUTH antidote: There is no absolute truth outside of the Word of God. Jesus, Himself, is the TRUTH (John 14:6) and the Word of God made flesh (John 1:1, 14). God tells us in His Word that He has already given us everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Paul’s message leads us to assume that there will always be a new teaching or things to learn as well as religious fads that are referred to as “truth”–what some have even called new age spirituality. The Bible, however, is God breathed and useful for teaching us what is right, showing us what is wrong in our lives, how to live right and prepares and equips God’s people to do every good work (2 Tim. 3:16). (Interestingly enough, this verse is found further down in this same chapter!) It is not only our Sword to fight the enemy with, but our instruction manual for living–a timeless treasure and the best Book ever written.
In light of recent news posts about Joshua Harris and Marty Sampson who spoke out about their crisis of faith, I am reminded of the need to stay grounded in my faith, through the struggles, but also to come alongside and encourage others on this Christian journey, especially women, who I know I am called to serve.
It wasn’t until I was truly honest with the Lord about my sins, began digging into His Word to see what He had to say about me and really began to walk in step with the Holy Spirit (a daily challenge which I fail at times), that I no longer described myself as this type of woman.
Sis, this is my prayer for you. I challenge you to grab another woman who you can walk this journey with in community. Together, as we are waiting, we can impact a generation of women who will not be silly, but strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10)!
Then the Lord God made a woman
Genesis 2:22, NLT
Scripture references: The Holy Bible (NLT, TPT, NKJV, KJV, AMPC, MSG)
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Lady In Waiting 222 
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