The Holy Spirit and Women

I notice that some men are fine with me speaking as long as I say what they want to hear. When I challenge them on their beliefs, then the "woman shall not speak" card is drawn and leveled against me as though I have been wrong to speak at all. I am so sorry that some of these men use this manipulation to control those who confront wrong thinking.

I have even been told that I was to never speak doctrine to another woman or even children for that matter. In other words, the Holy Spirit cannot work through a woman in wisdom and knowledge.

God only disallows a woman to speak in the gathering if she is chattering and visiting with other women or interrupting or usurping the authority of the men in the meeting.

God did not forbid women to speak at all or He would not have said this;

1 Corinthians 11
King James Version (KJV)
11 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

3 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.

4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

8 For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.

9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels."

This passage is in the context of the formal fellowship gathering. Women are allowed by God to pray and prophesy... meaning expounding on the Word of God.

This has been perverted by modern teachers who are frightened that if they obey the Word and allow women to pray and prophesy, they will begin to usurp the leadership of the men. This is lack of faith, we can obey the Word and still maintain the standard that the men will be the leaders.

It is not a position of leadership to pray or prophesy, but it is entering into the workings of the gathering as a full fledged Holy Spirit member of God's family.

When we forbid what God has allowed and even encouraged, then we are in disobedience.

I am quite sure I am going to get hammered for this, since most men have been taught that women are to be disregarded in the scheme of things based on one passage taken out of context and misunderstood.

God commanded the men to be uncovered in the gathering while praying and prophesying and He commanded the women to be covered in the gathering while praying and prophesying.

Let me be clear, I have no desire to lead over men, only a strong desire to speak when being led by the Holy Spirit.

As a woman should I exclude myself from this message from God or was He speaking to me too? Would I have been included in the greeting along with the men, or am I a non-entity being completely ignored because of my gender......I think not. When I read the words of Paul here, I believe he would have included all the dear sisters who loved the Lord Jesus Christ.

How long will be pick and choose out of fear, those things we like or those things will help us keep things in line humanly speaking?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-28
King James Version (KJV)
16 Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

19 Quench not the Spirit.

20 Despise not prophesyings.

21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

25 Brethren, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Conviction without Repentance

Notice that a man can seek the Lord with tears, having been caught in their sin, and still not be repentant. Often our outward reactions are a response to being caught and embarrassed, but not broken over having offended the Holy God! Notice Hebrews 12 verse 17.

Psalm 51:17
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."

Hebrews 12:11-17

"11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

"12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,"

"13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed."

"14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:"

"15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;"

"16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright."

"17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears."