The Powerful Influence of a Woman

Women is vividly portrayed from Genesis to Revelation as man's helper in the home and the church. In the beginning woman's influence can be seen when Satan used his craftiness to beguile Eve. "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her and he did eat" (Gen. 3:6).

Eve not only yielded to the tempter and ate of the fruit of the tree, but also gave of it to her husband. Adam ate and transgressed God's law, demonstrating the tremendous influence of the woman over the man.

They brought upon themselves and generations to follow the penalty of physical death, demonstrating the dire consequence of sin. "Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, ... over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come" (Rom. 5:14).

The woman was first to transgress God's law and the first to receive God's curse, "I will greatly multiply thy pain and thy conception: in pain thou shalt bring forth children: and thy desire shall be to thy husband and he shall rule over thee" (Gen. 3:17-18).

The most rewarding thing is that through woman came man's condemnation, yet through woman came also man's salvation! Jesus was born of a woman.

Let's face it, a woman's influence is perhaps no more important than a man's influence, but it is different. It has been said that women scar hearts and souls. God gave woman the power to influence, but wanted it to be an influence for good.

Women have specific work to do in the church, and in the home. In Titus 2:3-5, we learn that aged women are to be teachers of good things, teach the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, kind, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed. Our responsibilities are great. Are we accepting our responsibilities?

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me do; and the God of peace shall be with you (Phil 4:8-9).

Women have an outstanding record with respect to Christ and his gospel.

It has been well said that Lydia's home was the cradle of the church in Philippi. Lydia was a talented woman and after she was converted used her talents to the glory of God. Lydia will ever stand among the great women of the Bible. She encouraged those who taught the gospel of Jesus Christ through Europe.

Dorcas is an example of the good women can do. The Scripture says in Acts 9:36, "Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did."

There are many more examples in God's Word of the powerful influence of women for good and evil. Let us strive to be the example for our friends and loved ones, so that when we have finished our life on earth, we will receive the crown of life.