What Says the Scripture?
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 1 Timothy 3:16,17
My last few posts on homemaking have received quite a response, with many valid points/perspectives being offered. With some of those perspectives in mind, I’d like to explore a few questions…
- Does God command that women be homemakers? (What does it mean to be a “worker at home?” Does God in the scriptures ever call men to be “workers at home?”)
- What does it mean to “defile (or blaspheme) the Word of God?”
- Did the Proverbs 31 woman really work outside the home in a job?
- Does God have anything to say about a woman who has to work to provide for her family?
- Should a woman who is married but doesn’t have children be a homemaker? What about a single woman?
- Where is the line between obedience and grace? Is there a line?
How does a sin-saturated world affect all of the above topics?
With humility and awe we should all look to God-breathed words and ask, ‘Lord, what do you say?’ I feel very convicted on some of the above questions (as you well know if you read this blog), but others, I don’t know the answers…I don’t know if I’ll ever know the answers. The beauty in all of it is this: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
I challenge you to study the scriptures and pray and see what conclusions you come to on the above topics (on any topic!).
Then, if you and I have both studied the scriptures and prayed and have come to different conclusions, then let the glory be to God! But don’t, please don’t, come to the table of conviction with no scripture to back up your belief system.
Know what you believe and why.
You can follow my journey in answering these questions by subscribing to my articles here.
I have enjoyed your latest posts. We all come with different baggage to these issues. The biblical principles remain the same… but our methods might look different. There is nothing wrong with talking about the methods as long as the principle remains the same.
For me, the principle is that women should be home-focused. I can't say that's led to a conviction that every woman should stay at home. But every woman has a primary responsibility to her home.
Challenging discussions, but you've hosted them well. :-)
.-= Anna´s last blog post … Waking Up Is Hard to Do =-.
Totally. I believe a Woman's focus should be at home…but I have a hard time with every woman needs to be soley at home…when many of our circumstances are different. That being said, our standard should be God's standard, not the world's, not feminism, not anything else. Just God!
Excellent topic for discussion.
.-= Tiffany´s last blog post … 1 John 4:7 =-.
I agree whole-heartedly! Some of these question do not have a black and white answer. But seeking the Lord with a humble heart is certainly the way to find the answers!
.-= Lisa´s last blog post … the woman your man needs =-.
i have really enjoyed this series! thank you for hosting it. i'm looking forward to exploring these topics more. i agree with what anna said – anyone who has been a part of our culture has probably absorbed some of it, and comes to these topics with baggage. it is great to really unpack it, and return our focus to scripture!
Sarah Mae, I am so thankful for your heart and how it overflows with the Lord's grace. Your willingness to accept others' views if they are prayerfully and Scripturally considered speaks volumes to your character. Too often, women of strong conviction (no matter the topic) refuse to agree to disagree and instead, allow their hearts to turn towards hurtful and demeaning confrontation. Your conviction and acceptance of others is a breath of fresh air!
.-= Nish´s last blog post … A post about Postpartum Depression. =-.
Well spoken, Sarah Mae. Unless we diligently study the scriptures, we will not have a biblical worldview. We will default to what feels right and what others believe. Our convictions are personal, but they must be informed by the Word, not the world.
.-= Shelli @ Hopefully Devoted´s last blog post … Voices: The Ultimate Meaning of True Womanhood =-.
HI there! I am very interested in your topic about the line between obedience and grace! This is a tricky one and I look forward to hearing all you have to say on this. I sometimes feel a bit two minded on all of this. It is like my worldly mind vs my christian mind. I agree that all we argue must have biblical evidence. I really enjoy your blog and agree with much of what you say because you do indeed back it up with scripture. I get dismayed when people try to interpret scripture too much, I don't think God wants us to nit pick or rip it apart. It is quite clear what God's word is on many subjects close to our hearts. Looking forward to hearing all of this friend.
Collette xxxx
.-= Collette´s last blog post … Amazing Grace! =-.
Excellent post. Thank you for having the courage to gracefully stand up for something so controversial.
“May ALL glory and honor be given to Him, now and forever more. Amen.”
Great advice, Sarah Mae. The word of God reigns supreme.
.-= Bonita´s last blog post … How Does a Writer Start Speaking? =-.
So true… Our standard MUST be the Word of God, not society, our friends, what we think, or what we see in our own little circles.
I have an issue when others try to dispute the Word by saying, "Well, I don't think…" I don't want to know what they THINK… I want to know what the Word SAYS. What has been founded in prayer, tears, and travailing? What has convicted and pierced the heart? What has proved true over the course of time? What lines up with those sacred words penned in His love letter to me?
You are doing a great job, Sarah Mae. And you know what? Even if you don't get everything right 100% of the time, you CARE, and are TRYING, and that speaks volumes.
.-= Jaime @ Like a Bubbling Brook´s last blog post … Priorities, Guests, and Sick Babies =-.
I look to 1 Corinthians 7 for advice on what a female should do who is not married. Paul advises that she not seek to get married, but devote herself fully to the Lord, both body and spirit (v. 34). I think it's great to encourage young women to stay home until married. Why take on all the extra responsibility of paying rent, living alone, dating and the danger of being alone with your boyfriend/fiance instead of him hanging out at your home? But there certainly isn't anything biblically wrong with getting your own place! With that said, I think it's also great for women to use their singleness to do great things for God! Go on missions trips! Volunteer for a year to work in a Romanian orphanage! Go to college and study Communications and become a Christian radio host! It's definitely something to prayerfully consider because you don't know if God has a husband in your near future or not. Do you want to go to school to be a doctor or lawyer if you plan on getting married or having children one day? You may be stuck working away from home because of college loans you have to pay off. Or maybe you could major in Biblical Studies and actually use your degree in ministry to your future family and church? God knows your future. So I think it's best for us to ask Him clearly what we as individuals should pursue once we finish high school. I cling to the promise of James 1:5 so often, "If any of you lacks wisdom, He should ask God, who gives generously without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
Oh Sarah Mae – you just approach these "hard things" with such grace. It is always a pleasure (even when convicting) to read your posts and the ensuing discussions. God's Word is a LIGHT to our path, and HIS SPIRIT helps us understand the nuggets of truth that are sometimes hidden within. Why we – as women – struggle so with the whole "homemaker" issue is no surprise, is it? According to Genesis, it is part of the curse for our wilfulness and pride – but also our blessing because of His Grace and Mercy. Of course our enemy wants to make us think we are failures at anything we do, but especially in the realm of Home. It is awesome to be on this journey with you – questioning and searching the Scriptures. Thank you for opening the door – for touching on the things that so many of us struggle with – and for ministering grace and truth for God's kingdom…
.-= Debbie´s last blog post … Hope… =-.
God's word should always be our first consideration when making decisions or putting things into place in our lives but perhaps some of the issue is that people attempt to "interpret" the scripture instead of letting it speak plainly(and couldn't that statement set off a firestorm…lol). I also think this is one of those situations where personal circumstances make it an individual choice for every woman after seeking God through His word and prayer.
.-= Kristine McGuire´s last blog post … Five Friday Finds ~ Fantastic Food! =-.
I believe before we take sides we must ask ourselves these questions: 1. Am I upset about this viewpoint because it violates a stated command in Scripture(Thou shalt not lie…pretty clear that is in the imperative case)? 2. Am I upset about this viewpoint because it disagree with my opinions which may need to be checked through the lens of Scripture? 3. Am I upset about this viewpoint because I have searched the Scriptures, and God has given me a different conviction? Whatever the case, I find it is always a good rule to wait a season before commenting on a blog post that has upset me so that I can assess why I am upset.
With this being said, I find we serve a God of infinite creativity. In Eph 4, we have a diverse range of gifts that are given to believers without gender markers–here are the gifts for men or gifts for women. Even before Paul lists the gifts of the spirit, he talks about unity in the body of Christ. I think we as humans(look at the church in Corinth) easily slip into the "my calling is better than yours" mentality.We must strive for unity, and unity only comes when we come together under the grace found in the Scriptures.
valid questions. I'm not sure of the answer. It could be one of those things where God convicts one but not another. Or there could be a clean-cut answer to those.
.-= S Club Mama´s last blog post … it's official – no backing out now! =-.
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105.
If you don't know what to do, where to go, what to say…go to God's Word. His will is that we would abide in Him. I think we complicate it with our own convictions, preferences and values, when really it is very simple. Absolutely…know the Word. Seek God in the Word, not the answer to your argument.
I love what Oswald Chambers wrote: "The disciple who abides in Jesus is the will of God, and his apparently free choices are God's fore-ordained decrees. Mysterious? Logically contradictory and absurd? Yes. But a glorious truth to a saint."
If God is before you, leading you and speaking to you in His Word, then you can trust your common sense decisions. If you are off, the Holy Spirit will convict. It is way more simple than we even realize.
I would affirm, be in the Word. Know the Word. Know God's voice, and then rest in His peace.
.-= Amy´s last blog post … Friday’s Free Advice – “The Best Summer Ever” Challenge =-.
I was actually just stopping by to ask you if you'd share my new series (its been in the works but now happening) with your readers. I share it in tonight's post. Its biblically related but not centered on a woman's role or relationships.
http://www.halloffamemoms.com/2010/06/how-i-becam…
Re: daughter at home. I was the oldest child of 9 and did not leave home till I was almost 21 ( and that was to go to Liberty University- Christian college).
Under MY circumstances leaving home was possibly the best decision for me and it was done with prayer and consideration.
.-= Tracy @ Hall of Fame Moms´s last blog post … The Spoils of Eden: A book review. =-.