Thoughts from Pastor Toney

Self-defense is one of the most passionately debated topics among Christians.

Should a follower of Jesus ever use force to protect their family? Does loving our enemies mean we must never use violence? What should we do if someone threatens our spouse, children, or church? Is it right for a pastor to carry a firearm? Should Christians trust only in God for protection, or can trusting God also mean taking practical steps to defend innocent people?

These are not just political questions. They are deeply biblical questions.

Sadly, many conversations start with personal opinions, political views, or emotional reactions instead of focusing on the Word of God. As followers of Christ, we should not let culture shape our beliefs. Instead, we need to let Scripture guide our thinking, even when it challenges what we assume.

Throughout church history, faithful Christians have come to different conclusions about this issue. Some believe the Bible allows defensive force in certain situations to protect innocent people. Others believe Jesus calls His followers to reject all violence and respond to evil with sacrificial love.

Both sides look to the Bible for guidance.

Both want to honor Christ.

Both deserve a fair hearing.

That is why we are doing this series.

In the next four articles, we will look at what the Bible says, not what politics, popular opinion, or fear might say. We will carefully study the passages people use to support both sides, see how they fit with the whole message of God, and ask how Christians should respond faithfully in a world where evil is real.

Whether you already have strong beliefs or are still thinking through this question, I hope you will read this series with an open Bible, a humble heart, and a real desire to follow Jesus wherever His Word leads.

Our goal is not just to win a debate.

We want to know Christ more deeply, handle His Word faithfully, and live in a way that honors God.

The Daily Battle Between Flesh, Culture, and the Spirit

PART 3: What It Actually Means to Be Led by the Spirit

Being led by the Spirit is often talked about—but rarely understood clearly.

Some think it’s just:

• A feeling
• A moment
• A strong impression

But it’s much deeper than that.

Being led by the Spirit is a daily lifestyle of submission to God’s direction.

In Galatians 5:25, we’re told:
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” (CSB)

“Keep in step” implies movement.

It means:

• He leads—you follow
• He directs—you obey
• He speaks—you respond

This is not passive—it’s intentional.

Being led by the Spirit looks like:

1. Aligning with Scripture

The Spirit will never lead you outside of God’s Word.

If something contradicts Scripture—it’s not the Spirit.

2. Choosing obedience over impulse

The Spirit often leads you in ways that challenge your flesh.

Forgive when you don’t want to.
Give when it costs you.
Speak truth when it’s uncomfortable.

That’s His leading.

3. Living with awareness

You become sensitive to:

• Conviction
• Correction
• Direction

Not ignoring it—but responding to it.

4. Walking consistently—not occasionally

Being led by the Spirit is not just for big decisions.

It shows up in:

• How you respond in conflict
• How you handle temptation
• How you make daily choices

This is where many people miss it.

They want the Spirit to guide big moments…
but ignore Him in small ones.

But small obedience builds a Spirit-led life.

And here’s the key:

The Spirit doesn’t force you.

He leads you.

Which means you still have to choose to follow.

That’s why this matters so much.

Because you can have the Spirit in you…
and still not be led by Him.

If you ignore His leading.

If you resist His direction.

If you prioritize your own way.

Being led by the Spirit is not automatic—it’s intentional.

And it requires daily surrender.

The Daily Battle Between Flesh, Culture, and the Spirit

PART 2: When Culture Starts Leading Instead of Christ

Not every influence in your life is obvious.

Some of the strongest ones feel normal.

That’s what makes culture so powerful. It usually doesn’t shout; it whispers.

Culture usually doesn’t shout. It whispers.

It shapes how you think, what you value, and how you respond… often without you realizing it.

In Romans 12:2, we’re told:
“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (CSB)

That means culture is constantly trying to conform you, shaping you into its way of thinking.

It wants to shape you into its way of thinking.

Culture says:

• “Follow your heart”
• “Do what makes you happy”
• “Truth is personal”
• “No one can tell you how to live”

If you’re not careful, those ideas start to sound normal—even spiritual.

But they stand against God’s Word.

But following Jesus requires something different.

It requires:

• Submission over self-expression
• Truth over feelings
• Obedience over comfort

Culture wants you to center your life on yourself.

Jesus calls you to center your life on Him.

That creates tension.

The danger is not that culture exists.

The danger is when believers begin to blend Christ with culture.

They say they follow Jesus…
but make decisions based on:

• Cultural values
• Social pressure
• Popular opinion

Instead of Scripture.

That is where compromise begins.

It doesn’t happen in big, obvious ways. It happens in small, subtle shifts.

You begin to:

• Justify what God has clearly spoken against
• Redefine truth to fit your preferences.
• Avoid obedience because it’s unpopular.

Over time, culture starts leading—even though you still claim Christ.

Here’s the hard truth:

You cannot be led by culture and by the Spirit at the same time.

One will always take priority.

Followers of Jesus are not called to blend in with culture.

They are called to stand apart from it.

That doesn’t mean you have to isolate yourself. It means you should be different.

It means your:

• Values
• Decisions
• Direction

Are shaped by God—not the world.

If culture is leading you, it will always pull you away from God’s best.

If the Spirit is leading you, He will always align you with truth.

So the question remains:

Are your decisions shaped more by what God says…
Or by what feels normal around you?

Who’s really leading your life?

The Daily Battle Between Flesh, Culture, and the Spirit

The War Within You

Every follower of Jesus feels this tension.

It’s not something happening around them, but inside them.

A battle between:

• What God is calling you to do
• And what your flesh wants to do

This isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s just reality.

In Galatians 5:16–17, we’re told:
“Walk by the Spirit, and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh…” (CSB)

This means you have different voices competing inside you.

The flesh says:

• “Do what feels right.”
• “Protect yourself.”
• “Follow your desires.”

The Spirit says:

• “Trust God’s way.”
• “Deny yourself.”
• “Walk in obedience.”

And every day, you choose which voice to follow.

This isn’t a decision you make just once. It’s something you face every day.

The problem is that many believers don’t realize how active this battle really is.

They assume:

• “If I feel it strongly, it must be right.”
• “If it makes sense to me, it must be okay.”

But feelings are not the same as truth.

And strong desire is not the same as right direction.

The flesh is not neutral.

It pulls you It’s not always open rebellion. More often, it shows up as small compromises.n in subtle compromise.

It leads you to:

• Justify small sins
• Avoid hard obedience
• Prioritize comfort over calling.

And if you don’t recognize it, it quietly begins to lead your life.

Here’s the truth:

Whoever you listen to the most… leads you the most.

If you constantly follow:

• Your emotions
• Your impulses
• Your preferences

Then your flesh is leading, even if you say God is.

That’s why this matters.

Because you can believe in Jesus…
and still be led by something else.

Followers of Jesus are not just called to believe.

They are called to be led by the Spirit.

And that requires awareness.

You have to recognize:

• When your flesh is speaking
• When culture is influencing
• When the Spirit is leading

If you don’t recognize these voices, you might end up following the wrong one.

The war is real.

The voices are active.

And every day, you are choosing:

Who is leading your life?

There’s a powerful story about a lighthouse keeper who, for fifty years, climbed the tower every evening to light the beacon. When asked if he ever grew tired of the monotonous climb, his response cut straight to the heart: “Certainly. But I remember this—that if one day I don’t climb the ladder, somebody I’ve never met is going to die because I didn’t shine the light.”

This simple truth echoes through every believer’s life. We are called to shine a light. And one day, someone may perish in darkness because we chose not to let our light shine.

What Does It Really Mean to Love God?

Jesus made it clear when He quoted from Deuteronomy 6:4-5: “Listen, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” He later condensed the entire law into two commandments: love God completely, and love your neighbor as yourself.

But here’s the challenging question: What does loving God with everything actually look like?

It’s easy to say the words. It’s comfortable to claim we love God while sitting comfortably in our routines. But Jesus didn’t leave us guessing about how to demonstrate that love. He said plainly, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”

When was the last time you told someone about Jesus?

Think about it. You talk about your spouse, your children, your grandchildren. When a new grandchild photo appears on your phone, everyone from here to the next state knows about it—and if you’re on social media, you’ve posted that same picture twenty-five times to make absolutely sure nobody missed it.

Yet when it comes to Jesus—the One who gave everything for us—we often remain silent.

The Mission of Everyday Life

The book of Deuteronomy gives us clear instructions: “These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house, when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up.”

Notice the pattern? God doesn’t limit our witness to Sunday mornings or special evangelistic events. He calls us to integrate our faith into the fabric of everyday life—at the gas station, the grocery store, the laundromat, over coffee, during dinner.

The early church worshiped on Sunday mornings because it was the first day of the week, the day Jesus rose from the dead. But they didn’t confine their faith to a building with closed doors. They lived it out in the marketplace, in homes, wherever people gathered.

Imagine what would happen if the church stopped limiting its impact to Sunday services and instead showed up at the gas station helping people, at the grocery store serving others, in the everyday places where life happens.

Authenticity: The Currency of Mission

You cannot share Jesus effectively while being fake. People can spot inauthenticity from a mile away, especially those who are hurting, lost, or searching for something real.

Mission work requires authenticity—being an open book, living out what you profess to believe. Those struggling with addiction, homelessness, or brokenness aren’t looking for polished performances. They’re looking for genuine transformation, real hope, and authentic love.

When someone who was once angry at everything can’t stop smiling, people notice. When someone who was physically and spiritually depleted begins to thrive, it speaks louder than any sermon. That’s the power of authentic faith lived out in community.

The Courage to Stand

Joshua 24:15 declares, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” This isn’t a suggestion—it’s a declaration of courage.

Have you determined in your own life that no matter what happens, you’re going to serve God?

Being a follower of Jesus isn’t popular anymore. The world has changed dramatically. We’re expected to compromise our standards, to be accepting of everything, to soften the edges of biblical truth. But God’s Word hasn’t changed, and it never will.

The Bible contains 1,189 chapters, and we’re called to obey all of them—not just the parts about salvation. That means the Bible should inform how we raise our children, manage our finances, run our businesses, and operate our churches.

Too often, we believe God for salvation but then check out on everything else He said. We trust Him to save us but won’t trust Him with our daily decisions, our resources, or our comfort.

Jesus said, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me.” When will we be courageous enough to simply lift Jesus up, trusting Him for the results rather than relying on surveys, trends, or cultural accommodations?

The Test of True Faith

There’s a sobering story from Africa that illustrates the difference between professing faith and possessing courage.

An evangelist was preaching in a church building fortified with concrete pillars to prevent attacks. The building had no windows—just openings—because the congregation couldn’t afford glass. During the service, seven masked men with machine guns burst through the back doors, walked to the front, turned around, and announced in the native language: “If you don’t want to die today, get out of this building.” Then they fired shots into the roof.

The church, which had been packed with hundreds of people, emptied in seconds. People fled through windows, doors, anywhere they could escape.

When the dust settled, only five people remained: the evangelist, the local pastor and his wife, and a deacon and his wife.

Then something remarkable happened. The seven masked men walked to the platform, removed their hoods, laid down their guns, and said, “We want to get saved, but we only wanted to do it with people who really loved Jesus.”

The American church often says, “I’ll die for Jesus,” but won’t even live for Him. The world is waiting for believers who will take a stand, who will quit being pushed around, who will show—not just say—they love Jesus.

Your Mission Field Is Right Outside Your Door

You don’t live at your address by accident. God placed you there on purpose. Your neighbors, your mail carrier, your garbage collector, the cable technician—they all cross your path for a reason.

Maybe your neighbor’s house is on fire spiritually, and they don’t even know it. They’re waiting for you. They already know you’re a follower of Jesus. The question is: will you cross the street? Will you knock on the door? Will you extend the invitation?

If every believer invited just one person this week, churches would double in size. That’s God’s math—one person at a time.

The Choice Before Us

Romans 8:28 reminds us that “all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” But that promise is connected to loving God and living out His calling.

The world is waiting. Not for perfect people, but for authentic followers of Jesus who will shine their light in everyday moments. People who will love God with everything they have and demonstrate that love by keeping His commandments.

The lighthouse keeper understood that his faithfulness, even when he was tired, meant life or death for people he’d never meet.

What about you? Will you climb the ladder today and shine your light?

Can a Woman Be Called by God to Preach and Shepherd the Church?

Introduction

We have looked at the bigger picture in the Bible, considered 1 Timothy 2, and studied 1 Corinthians 14. Now we come to the main question:

Can a woman be called by God to preach, teach, and shepherd the church?

For many Christians, the answer depends on how they view the roles of pastor and elder.

Even among those who support women preaching, people disagree about how church leadership should be structured.

Some believe women should be able to serve in any ministry role, including as pastors and elders. Others think women can preach and teach but should not be elders.

This article asks a bigger question: Does the Bible give enough support for women to preach and teach God’s Word to the church?

I believe the answer is yes.

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The New Testament Pattern Is Participation, Not Exclusion

When we look at the early church, we see that women were active participants, not just watching from the sidelines.

They hosted churches.

They supported apostles.

They prophesied.

They evangelized.

They discipled.

They instructed believers.

Paul often praised women who worked with him in sharing the gospel.

Romans 16 gives many examples of women who were recognized for their important work in the church.

This does not answer every question about church leadership, but it does show that women were included in meaningful ministry.

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Priscilla and the Teaching of Apollos

One of the clearest examples appears in Acts 18.

Apollos was a gifted preacher and teacher.

Yet Scripture says:

“After Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately.”

Look at what happened here.

A woman helped correct and teach one of the most gifted preachers in the New Testament.

There is no rebuke.

There is no correction.

There is nothing to suggest that Priscilla went against God’s will.

Instead, her ministry helped build up a future church leader.

If it was allowed for a woman to teach a well-known preacher, it is hard to say that all teaching by women is forbidden.

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Phoebe and Junia

Romans 16 introduces two remarkable women.

Phoebe

Paul describes Phoebe as a servant or deacon of the church at Cenchreae.

He instructs the Roman believers to receive her and assist her.

Many scholars think Phoebe was the one who brought Paul’s letter to Rome.

If that is true, she probably explained the letter’s message to the church.

That would mean she held a very respected ministry role.

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Junia

Paul describes Junia as:

“Outstanding among the apostles.”

While scholars discuss exactly what the phrase means, many agree that it shows Junia was highly respected among the apostles.

At the very least, this shows that women had influence in the early church.

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What About the Qualifications for Elders?

One of the strongest arguments against women pastors comes from 1 Timothy 3.

Paul describes an overseer as:

“the husband of one wife.”

Complementarians argue that this clearly limits the office to men.

This argument should be taken seriously.

However, others point out that the phrase might focus on being faithful in marriage, not on gender.

The same expression is used regarding widows in 1 Timothy 5, where a widow is described as a “one-man woman.”

The phrase is more about character than about being male or female.

The question therefore becomes:

Was Paul saying leaders must be men, or was he stressing that leaders should be faithful?

Even committed scholars do not all agree.

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Jesus Chose Twelve Men

Another common objection is that Jesus chose twelve male apostles.

This is true.

But the Twelve were more than just church leaders.

They stood for the twelve tribes of Israel and played a special role in God’s plan.

The real question is whether choosing the Twelve sets a rule for all future ministry roles.

Many Christians believe it does.

Others point out that Jesus also gave women important ministry responsibilities.

In fact, women became the first witnesses of the resurrection and the first messengers sent to announce the risen Christ.

God gave the greatest news in history to women before He gave it to the apostles.

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The Evidence of Calling

All through church history, God has called women whose ministries have changed lives.

Many believers can say they were taught, challenged, and brought closer to Christ by the preaching and teaching of godly women.

While experience does not replace Scripture, it does make us ask an important question:

If God consistently uses women to bear spiritual fruit, should the church automatically reject those gifts?

Jesus said:

“You’ll recognize them by their fruit.” (Matthew 7:16)

When we see real spiritual fruit, we should ask if our understanding matches what God is doing.

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The Real Question

Ultimately, the debate is not about ability.

No serious student of Scripture can deny that women are capable teachers.

It is not about intelligence.

It is not about spiritual maturity.

It is not about gifting.

The debate concerns biblical authority.

What does God permit?

What does God prohibit?

And how should the church respond?

When we look at the whole story of the Bible, many believers think the restrictive passages were for certain situations, but the bigger picture shows that God is willing to call, gift, and use women in ministry.

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A Word to Those Who Disagree

Faithful Christians hold different convictions on this issue.

Some churches remain complementarian and believe pastoral leadership should be reserved for qualified men.

Others are egalitarian and believe all ministry offices are open to qualified believers regardless of gender.

Both groups contain sincere followers of Christ who seek to honor Scripture.

So, this conversation should be humble, not hostile.

The goal is not to win arguments.

The goal is to understand God’s Word and obey it faithfully.

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Conclusion

The Bible shows women as prophets, leaders, teachers, evangelists, servants, disciples, coworkers, and witnesses.

The verses often used to stop women from preaching and teaching are not as simple as they seem and are often tied to local situations.

When we look at the whole Bible, the evidence suggests that God calls and equips both men and women for ministry.

The church’s first question should not be, “Is the preacher male or female?”

The church should ask:

• Has God called them?
• Do they faithfully handle Scripture?
• Is their character consistent with the gospel?
• Is their ministry bearing spiritual fruit?

When those qualities are there, many Christians believe the church should recognize and affirm the gifts God has given, whether in a man or a woman.

Final Reflection

The question is not whether God can speak through a woman.

Scripture proves that He can.

The real question is whether we are willing to listen when He does.

What Did Paul Mean When He Said Women Should Be Silent?

Introduction

If 1 Timothy 2:12 is seen as the main argument against women preaching, then 1 Corinthians 14:34–35 is usually considered the next most important.

Paul writes:

“The women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak, but are to submit themselves, as the law also says. If there is anything they want to learn, let them ask their own husbands at home…” (CSB)

At first glance, this passage seems to settle the question.

If women are told to stay silent in church, how could they preach, teach, pray, prophesy, or take part in ministry?

The problem is that this way of reading the passage creates an immediate conflict.

Earlier in the same letter, Paul clearly expects that women are already speaking during church gatherings.

To understand what Paul means, we need to look at the bigger picture.

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Paul Already Allowed Women to Speak

Only three chapters earlier, Paul writes:

“Every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head…” (1 Corinthians 11:5)

It’s important to notice what Paul does not say here.

He does not say women should not pray.

He does not say women should not prophesy.

Instead, he gives instructions about how they should do these things.

This point is very important.

If Paul is commanding total silence in chapter 14, then what he says in chapter 11 would contradict that.

A woman cannot pray and prophesy in public while also staying completely silent. So, whatever Paul means in chapter 14, it cannot be about total silence.ce.

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Silence Is Used Three Different Times

One thing people often miss in 1 Corinthians 14 is that Paul tells three different groups to be silent.

First Group: Tongue Speakers

“If there is no interpreter, that person is to keep silent in the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:28)

Paul is not banning speaking in tongues.

He is setting rules for how they should be used.

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Second Group: Prophets

“If something has been revealed to another person sitting there, the first prophet should be silent.” (1 Corinthians 14:30)

Paul is not banning prophecy or prophets.

He is regulating. He is making sure worship stays orderly. 

“The women should be silent…” (1 Corinthians 14:34)

Since the first two commands are about being silent for the sake of order, many scholars think the third command should be understood the same way.

The real issue seems to be disruption, not gender.

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The Problem of Disorder in Corinth

The church in Corinth was experiencing a lot of chaos.

People were speaking over one another.

Tongues were being used improperly.

Prophecies were interrupting each other.

Communion had become disorderly.

Paul spends the whole chapter trying to restore order.

His conclusion is:

“Everything is to be done decently and in order. According to an article by Karin B. Neutel, the main issue in 1 Corinthians 14:33b–35 centers on maintaining order during worship, not specifically concerns about gender. Some scholars propose that women may have been interrupting the evaluation of prophecies with questions, possibly influenced by the fact that many women in the ancient world did not have equal access to education as men.

If they were asking questions out loud during worship, the service could easily become disruptive.

This interpretation fits Paul’s instruction:

“If there is anything they want to learn, let them ask their own husbands at home.”

The concern seems to be about learning and asking questions, not about preaching.

Paul is not necessarily saying women cannot be involved in ministry.

He may just be correcting interruptions.

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The Difficult Phrase: “As the Law Also Says”

Paul states:

“As the law also says.”

This brings up another challenge.

There is no Old Testament passage that explicitly commands women to remain silent in worship.

Because of this, scholars have proposed several possibilities:

• Paul generally refers to submission within the creation order.
• Paul references a Jewish tradition rather than a specific text.
• Paul addresses a local cultural expectation. Whatever the answer is, this phrase is not as simple as it first seems.

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An Important Observation

If Paul meant to create a rule that women can never speak in church, several questions come up.

Why would he:

• Permit women to prophesy?
• Recognize women prophets?
• Commend female coworkers in ministry?
• Allow women to pray publicly?
• Celebrate women who labored alongside him in the gospel?

The New Testament regularly shows women taking part in ministry.

Because of this, many scholars believe that 1 Corinthians 14 is about a specific disruptive behavior, not about all forms of women speaking.

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The Strong Complementarian Response

Those who oppose women preaching offer several important arguments.

First, they note that Paul specifically mentions women rather than everyone.

Second, they point out that Paul appeals to submission.

Third, they argue that the passage fits with 1 Timothy 2, creating a consistent pattern of male leadership.

These are valid points and should not be ignored.

However, these points still do not fully explain why Paul clearly allows women to pray and prophesy earlier in the same letter.

So, the tension between these passages remains.

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The Bigger Question

This debate is not just about one verse.

It is about how we understand the whole message of Scripture. For passages that appear restrictive, we must interpret them alongside passages that clearly show women ministering publicly.

The goal is not to ignore or explain away difficult passages.

The goal is to understand all of these passages together.

If we build a doctrine on just two debated passages and ignore the many examples of women ministering in Scripture, we may miss the full message God wants us to see.

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Conclusion

When we read 1 Corinthians 14 in context, it does not seem to teach that women must be completely silent.

Instead, it seems to address disorderly behavior during worship services.

Throughout the chapter, Paul is focused on order, building up the church, and peace.

The same apostle who recognized women praying and prophesying cannot reasonably be understood to have banned all female speech just a few chapters later. This passage is best understood as addressing disruptive behavior, not as stopping women from sharing God’s truth.God’s truth.

In Part 4, we will bring all the evidence together, look at the qualifications for elders and pastors, and answer the main question:

Can a woman be called by God to preach, teach, and shepherd the church?

Understanding 1 Timothy 2:12

Introduction

For many Christians, the debate about women preaching begins and ends with one verse:

“I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; instead, she is to remain quiet.” (1 Timothy 2:12, CSB)

At first glance, this verse seems clear. If Paul says he does not allow a woman to teach, it might seem the matter is settled. But to interpret the Bible well, we need to consider not only what Paul wrote but also why he wrote it, to whom he wrote it, and what was happening in the church at the time.

The question is not whether 1 Timothy 2:12 is Scripture. All Christians affirm that it is.

The question is whether Paul intended this statement as a universal command for all churches in every generation or as a correction for a specific problem in Ephesus.

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The Setting Matters

Paul wrote 1 Timothy to a young pastor named Timothy who was serving in Ephesus.

Ephesus was not an ordinary city.

It was the center of the worship of Artemis, a major pagan religion in the Roman world.

False teaching had infiltrated the church.

Paul repeatedly warns Timothy about this problem.

“Certain people not to teach false doctrine.” (1 Timothy 1:3)

“Some have departed from the faith.” (1 Timothy 4:1)

“These promote empty speculations.” (1 Timothy 1:4)

Throughout the letter, Paul expresses concern about deception, false teaching, and confusion in the church.

This background is very important.

Paul is not writing a theology textbook. He is writing a pastoral letter to help a church facing real problems.

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What Was Happening Among Some Women?

Several clues indicate that some women in Ephesus were especially vulnerable to false teaching.

In 2 Timothy, which was written to the same ministry context, Paul describes false teachers who:

“worm their way into households and deceive gullible women, overwhelmed by sin and led astray by a variety of passions.” (2 Timothy 3:6)

In 1 Timothy 5:13–15, Paul warns about younger widows who had become:

• Idle
• Gossips
• Busybodies
• Vulnerable to deception

The problem does not seem to be that women could not serve in ministry, but rather that some women in Ephesus were spreading false teachings.

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The Meaning of “I Do Not Permit”

One important observation is Paul’s wording.

He says:

“I do not permit…”

The verb is present tense.

Some scholars think Paul is giving instructions for a specific situation, not establishing a rule for all churches everywhere. However, this idea is debated, and the wording by itself does not settle the question.

This would be similar to a pastor saying:

“I am not allowing anyone to teach Sunday School right now until we resolve this doctrinal issue.”

This kind of statement deals with a specific issue instead of setting a rule for all time.

Not all scholars see it this way, and their disagreement is important. The issue of authority needs careful thought.

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The Meaning of “Authority”

The phrase “have authority over” is important to understand. Paul is talking about a specific kind of authority he does not allow in this passage.

The Greek word Paul uses here is authenteō. It is rare, and its meaning is debated.

This word is unusual because it does not appear anywhere else in the New Testament.

Because it is so rare, scholars discuss what it really means.

Some suggest it simply means legitimate authority.

Others argue it carries a stronger meaning such as:

• Domineer
• Control
• Usurp authority
• Exercise authority in a harmful way

If the second view is correct, Paul might be speaking against abusive leadership, not against all female leadership. Still, this is just one way to read the word. In that case, the verse might read: “I do not permit a woman to teach falsely or dominate a man.”

This would match the letter’s focus on false teaching.

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The Strong Complementarian Argument

Those who oppose women preaching make an important observation.

Paul does not merely appeal to local circumstances.

He points back to creation:

“For Adam was formed first, then Eve.” (1 Timothy 2:13)

Since Paul refers to Genesis, complementarians say his command is based on God’s created order and should apply everywhere. This is a strong argument against the idea that Paul was only talking about a local issue.

This is perhaps the strongest argument against women serving as pastors.

Any honest discussion must acknowledge its weight.

If Paul’s teaching is based on creation itself, then his command goes beyond just Ephesus. This is why this passage deserves careful attention. Understanding of Paul’s Creation Argument

Others interpret Paul’s appeal to Adam and Eve differently.

They note that Eve’s deception becomes the focus of Paul’s argument.

“And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed.” (1 Timothy 2:14)

Paul might be using Genesis to illustrate what can happen when people who have not been well taught are open to being misled. Still, this is an interpretation, not a clear statement.

In other words, Paul might be more concerned about teaching without proper knowledge than about women leading.

This interpretation gains support from the immediate context:

“A woman is to learn quietly with full submission.” (1 Timothy 2:11)

This was a surprising idea in the ancient world.

Before saying anything about teaching, Paul first tells that women should be taught.

The goal might not have been to keep women silent forever, but to make sure they were prepared.

Learn first.

Teach later.

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The Broader Problem

If 1 Timothy 2:12 is interpreted as an absolute prohibition against women teaching men, several questions emerge:

How do we reconcile that with:

• Deborah judging Israel?
• Huldah instructing priests and kings?
• Priscilla helping teach Apollos?
• Philip’s daughters prophesying?
• Women praying and prophesying in church?

These examples do not prove that women can be pastors, and that should be kept in mind. Still, they show that God often used women to share His truth in public.

However, they do demonstrate that God repeatedly used women to communicate His truth publicly.

Any view of 1 Timothy 2 needs to consider these facts.

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Conclusion

1 Timothy 2:12 is the strongest text used against women preaching and teaching.

It deserves serious respect.

1 Timothy 2:12 is the main verse used against women preaching and teaching, and it should be taken seriously. But when we look at the context, the passage is not as simple as it seems at first.

The letter addresses false teaching.

The church was facing deception.

Some women appear to have been caught up in that deception. Paul’s unusual wording and the circumstances at the time suggest he might have been addressing a local problem rather than setting a rule for everyone. Still, the creation argument is a strong point on the other side.

In Part 3, we will examine the second major passage often used to prohibit women preaching:

1 Corinthians 14. There, we will see that Paul might have been referring to disorder in worship, not to a complete ban on women speaking.

Beginning with the Bigger Story

Few topics spark more debate in the church than whether women should preach or teach. Some believe the Bible clearly says women should not teach men or serve as pastors. Others see Scripture showing that God calls both men and women to share His Word. This question deserves careful study, not quick answers.

This topic deserves more than emotional reactions or following tradition. It calls for a careful look at all of Scripture, which is why this series starts with the bigger story in the Bible.

This series is not meant to dismiss anyone who disagrees. Christians have wrestled with these passages for centuries. The goal is to look at what the Bible says and ask an important question:

Does the Bible teach that women are always forbidden to preach and teach, or have some passages about teaching and church order been understood too narrowly?

To answer this, we need to start where the Bible starts: with God’s design for men and women.

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God’s Original Design Was Partnership

In Genesis 1:27–28, God created humanity in His image.

“God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female. God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it.'” (CSB)

Notice that God gave this command to both men and women, not just one or the other.

God did not give this responsibility to Adam alone. He gave authority and stewardship to both men and women.

From the start, God wanted men and women to work together to carry out His purposes.

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Women Were Never Spiritually Inferior

All through the Bible, women are shown as people God calls and includes in His work.

Miriam served as a prophetess.

Deborah served as both judge and prophet.

Huldah was consulted by kings and priests concerning God’s Word.

Anna publicly proclaimed the coming Messiah.

These examples matter because they show that God has spoken through women again and again in the Bible. Together, they reveal a clear pattern.

If God trusted women to share His message with kings, priests, and whole nations, it is hard to say He completely forbids women from speaking His truth. This brings us to what the New Testament says.

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The Day of Pentecost Changed Everything

One of the most important moments in the New Testament occurs in Acts 2.

Peter quotes Joel’s prophecy:

“I will pour out my Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy.”

When the Holy Spirit came, it was not limited by gender. The promise includes both sons and daughters.

The promise specifically includes sons and daughters.

Men and women.

Young and old.

Slave and free.

Everyone who received the Spirit could take part in the church’s prophetic ministry. This shows the promise was for all.

This matters because prophecy in the New Testament meant speaking God’s message to others in public, not just thinking about it privately.

The early church did not see women as silent observers. Women took an active part in ministry through the Holy Spirit.

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Galatians 3:28 and the New Creation

Paul writes:

“There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

This verse does not remove the differences between men and women. Instead, it says both are equal before God.

Men remain men.

Women remain women.

But it does say that men and women have equal standing before God.

Many scholars say that if salvation, inheritance, gifts, and calling are equal in Christ, then ministry should not be limited just because of gender.

So, the responsibility to prove their case falls on those who want to limit ministry, not on those who allow it. Next, we look at the main objections.

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The Main Argument Against Women Preaching

Those who oppose women preaching generally point to two passages:

1. 1 Timothy 2:12
2. 1 Corinthians 14:34–35

At first, these passages seem to say women should not teach or speak in church. Because these verses matter, they need careful study, and the next article will look at them closely.

Because these texts are important, they deserve careful examination rather than dismissal.

In the next article, we will ask if Paul meant these commands for all churches at all times, or if he was speaking to certain local issues.

Conclusion

The bigger story of the Bible shows that God often calls, empowers, and speaks through women. This pattern is clear even before we get to the debated passages.

Even before the debated passages, the Bible already shows women as prophets, leaders, teachers, and people who share God’s truth.

The question is not whether God can use women.

The Bible clearly shows that He does.

The real question is whether the verses often used to limit women truly require us to stop what God seems to bless in preaching and teaching. This is what the series will keep exploring.

There’s a peculiar danger that lurks in the comfortable spaces of our faith journey. It’s subtle, almost imperceptible at first, like the gradual way we become accustomed to a new job, a new relationship, or even a beloved pet. What begins with reverence and careful attention slowly morphs into routine, and routine can quietly steal the wonder from even the most sacred things.

The Hometown Prophet

The Gospel of Mark presents us with a striking scene that reveals this spiritual trap. Jesus returns to his hometown synagogue to teach, and the response is telling. The people who heard him were astonished by his wisdom and the miracles performed by his hands. But their astonishment quickly turned to offense.

“Isn’t this the carpenter?” they asked. “Don’t we know his brothers and sisters?”

They had watched Jesus grow up. They knew his family. They had likely purchased furniture he’d built with his own hands. Their familiarity with the man blinded them to the miracle standing before them. They couldn’t see the Messiah because they were too busy remembering the boy who used to play in their streets.

The result? Mark tells us that Jesus could do no mighty work there because of their unbelief. Their familiarity had bred a compromise so severe that it actually limited what God could accomplish among them.

The Drift of Routine

This same pattern plays out in countless lives today. We begin our relationship with God with fire and passion. Everything is new, exciting, transformative. We hang on every word from Scripture. We approach prayer with earnest expectation. We gather with other believers hungry for whatever God might do.

But time passes. The extraordinary becomes ordinary. The miraculous becomes routine.

We start showing up to church not because we’re desperate to encounter the living God, but because it’s what we do on Sunday mornings. We check the box. We fulfill the obligation. We go through the motions while our minds wander to lunch plans or afternoon activities.

The writer of Hosea warned about this very thing: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Not lack of information, but lack of true, intimate knowing. When we stop actively pursuing knowledge of God, when we assume we already know all we need to know, we begin to drift. And the drift is so gradual we often don’t notice until we’ve floated far from shore.

The Questions That Reveal Our Hearts

Perhaps the most revealing indicator of our spiritual condition isn’t what we believe, but what we question. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks, and our questions expose what’s really happening beneath the surface.

When we find ourselves asking, “Is it really that bad if I…” or “Would God really care about…” we’re revealing a heart that has grown comfortable with compromise. We’re testing the boundaries, seeing how close we can get to the line without crossing it.

But here’s the truth: if you have to ask whether something is okay, you probably already know the answer.

The people in Jesus’ hometown asked questions too. “Where did this man get these things?” they wondered. They weren’t asking because they wanted to know God better. They were asking because they wanted to dismiss what made them uncomfortable. Their questions revealed hearts that had grown too familiar with the divine to recognize it when it stood before them.

The Danger of Proximity Without Relationship

One of the most sobering truths in Scripture is this: you can be close to God and still be disconnected from Him. Proximity does not equal relationship.

Judas Iscariot spent three and a half years walking with Jesus. He witnessed the miracles. He heard the teachings. He was trusted with the group’s finances. Yet he kissed the door to heaven and still went to hell.

In Matthew 7, Jesus describes people who will stand before Him at the judgment claiming they prophesied in His name, cast out demons, and performed miracles. His response? “Depart from me. I never knew you.”

They honored Him with their lips, but their hearts were far from Him. They served Him with their actions but never surrendered to Him with their lives.

This is the devastating end result of familiarity that breeds compromise. We can do all the right things, check all the right boxes, perform all the right religious activities, and still miss the relationship that matters most.

Returning to Honor, Reverence, and Awareness

The antidote to dangerous familiarity is threefold: honor, reverence, and awareness.

Honor means we approach God recognizing who He is, not reducing Him to who we want Him to be. We don’t treat Him like a cosmic buddy or a divine vending machine. We acknowledge His holiness, His power, His authority over our lives.

Reverence is the healthy fear of the Lord that Scripture commends. It’s not terror, but awe. It’s the recognition that we serve a God who spoke galaxies into existence, who holds our every breath in His hands, who is both perfectly just and perfectly merciful.

Awareness means we come expectantly, not assumptively. We don’t assume God will move just because we showed up. We expect Him to move because He promised He would, and we approach with eyes wide open to see what He’s doing.

The Challenge Before Us

Three questions demand honest answers:

When was the last time you were truly in awe of God? Not impressed with a sermon or moved by a worship song, but genuinely awestruck by who He is and what He’s done?

Do you approach God with expectation or assumption? Are you genuinely anticipating that He will move, or have you settled into a comfortable routine where you assume you know exactly what will happen?

Where have you become comfortable instead of convicted? What areas of your life have you allowed to slip because you’ve grown too familiar with grace, too casual about holiness?

The path forward requires three actions: refocus your heart, renew your wonder, and restore your walk.

Look in the mirror and remember what God has done. Recall the day you first encountered His grace. Rekindle the fire that once burned bright. Return to your first love.

God is not looking for casual Christians. He’s looking for people who are all in, who approach Him with reverent expectation, who refuse to let familiarity steal their wonder.

The question isn’t whether God can still do miracles. The question is whether our familiarity has created the kind of unbelief that limits what He can do among us.

It’s time to wake up. To see Him rightly. To honor Him fully.

Because when we do, everything changes.