This has long been a controversy in the Church and in the world, but is it Biblically true or are many people just taking a couple of scriptures and making a doctrine out of them which both hurts the mission of the Church of God and oppresses women at the same time.

Human nature generally tends towards the thinking that because everybody is doing it or everybody believes something it must be right or true. Many people reading this article understand this concept is rarely the case in fact. Is it possible that on this subject matter that the majority could possibly be wrong as well?

We find these scriptures used to oppress women in I Corinthians 14:34-35:

When one first reads over these scriptures, in verse 35 where it says: "if they (women) will learn any thing," it almost sounds as though women are so stupid that it is hard to teach them any thing. Did God create women stupid?

Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us (God the Father and Christ) make man (Strong's #120, man and woman) in our (God the Father and Christ‘s) image, after our (God the Father and Christ‘s) likeness: and let them (man and woman) have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

In Genesis 1:26 we find that both man and woman were created in God's image and that both man and woman equally had dominion over all the earth. There is absolutely no hierarchy spoken of here, showing that any man has control over any woman. It also proves that if women were indeed made stupid, then so to must God be stupid, for God made both man and woman in the image of God himself, as shown again in Genesis 1:27.

Here's what the law of God says in regard to how men should treat women.

God does not want man or woman to kill other men or women because both men and women are made in the image of God. This again shows that men and women are equal in the sight of God and that there should be no oppression coming from either of the sexes against the other whether it be in abusive words which can lead to physical abuse which can lead to murder. Men and women are equal in God's eyes.

Man is to be the glory (honor or reflection) of God and woman is to be the glory (honor or reflection) of man. In other words Man is to be like God in his character and woman is to then in turn be like her husband as he, her husband reflects God. There is nothing in this verse which even remotely shows that women are to be submissive to men no matter what men might do or order someone to do. This verse simply shows that both men and women are to follow God and that just as God leads the man, then so to does the man lead the woman in the things of God.

Again in the above scriptures there is no hierarchy of men over women shown. Both men and women equally will be changed into the same spiritual image of God by God's Spirit. For those men and women who truly are converted and have God's Holy Spirit working in them there will be no reflection of men oppressing women by the use of scripture twisted into false doctrines.

When men believe that women are not spiritually equal to them in God's eyes, there can be no growth within the Church for there is no love. God's Church only grows and thrives on love.

There is no gender specific command there only to love men and not women. It says to love all disciples because by your love for one another will you be known to the outside world. If no love reflects from your group then you are not treating all those in your group as equal in spiritual things.

Why does your light not reflect the love of God to the entire world?

How do you believe this happens? If men and women are created spiritually equal in the image of God, and if woman cannot be stupid unless God is stupid, then perhaps it is time for men who believe they are to rule over women, to start looking at how this sin of oppression to women clearly is an abuse in the eyes of God.

When man makes a doctrine based on basically two scriptures from the bible we can for the most part generally find that it will be a false doctrine. A false doctrine is one that cannot be supported with other scriptural proofs from Genesis to Revelation.

When men and it is generally men, continue to promote the doctrine that women are not to speak in the church, they are doing a great disservice to both God and the Church. Essentially what this doctrine teaches is that woman cannot teach, preach, or prophesy in any way shape or form the word of God. Now some men do say it is okay for woman to sing in church and ask questions, but is that what the scripture says which they base their false doctrine on?

Let's really dissect these two verses. "Let your women keep silence in the churches:" In other words women should keep silent in all churches as the word churches there is plural. "For it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law." Now whether one wants to say there is a law in God's law which specifically commands women not to speak or whether you want to say that the law of God commands women only to submit to men, one cannot find either of those laws any where in the law of God. Remember earlier, God's command in Genesis was that both men and women have dominion over the entire earth, Gen. 1:26. And so far no one has been able to find a law of God in the Old Testament which forbids women to speak in any capacity including in church. What we do find from Genesis to Revelation is that women were found doing the work of God, whether it be teaching, prophesying or some other form of discipleship.

Let's continue with: "And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church." If we are to take this literally for what it says, this would certainly exclude women from both singing and asking questions, since it clearly says to ask ‘whatever’ of their husbands at home. It also goes on to say it is a shame for a woman to speak in church. In other words she just plain should not be speaking at all in church and if she is able to learn, learn it from her husband at home. So I would conclude from this that even the men who are promoting this false doctrine, clearly can't read the scripture if they are teaching along with it that women can sing or ask questions in church, because I don't see that written into that command, if indeed it truly is a command of God as false teachers say it is.

Paul Quotes From the Letter He Received From the Corinthians or from the Talmud?

If these two scriptures are not commands of God, then what are they doing here and where did they come from? If one reads the entire chapter of I Corinthians 14, one will find that either Paul is a very confused man or these two scriptures are clearly out of context in regard to what Paul is saying here. Look at:

This scripture clearly says all prophesy, both men and women. In order to prophesy, one must speak. That verse clearly comes before verses 34 & 35. Then after Paul tells women to shut up in verses 34 & 35, Paul again tells us in verse 39:

So is Paul confused or is there another explanation for verses 34 & 35?

We find a valid explanation for this discrepancy in other scriptures, for instance:

In 1 Corinthians we find where Paul is clearly quoting what the Corinthians wrote to him. So might verses 34 & 35 be a quotation from some place else? We also find the below listed scriptures which clearly show that Paul was writing to the Corinthians in regard to things that were wrong in their church.

We also can tell from scripture that Paul having been a Pharisee who was responsible for killing those with in the Church of God knew full well what the "oral law of the Jews" said.

In other words, Paul was persecuting the Church of God because he was following the "traditions of his fathers". The Jews' religion referred to here is the law of the Jews or what is referred to as the "Jewish Oral Law" which has been since written down and is included in the Talmud and other books which the Jewish people hold in high esteem. This "Jewish Oral Law" was exactly what Christ was blasting them for in Matthew Chapter 23. The Pharisees and Scribes were binding heavy burdens on the people which were clearly not written within the law of God. This "Jewish Oral Law" is not nor never was the word of God and contained within the "Jewish Oral Law" are many things which are clearly against the law of God or which were meant to control others.

In the below verses, one can clearly see that Christ did not go along with the Jews "tradition of the elders," because it was in many cases the opposite of what God's law said or commanded of us.

The Jewish oral law taught people not to honor their fathers and mothers, among many other things which clearly were against the Law of God and which Christ in no way ever went along with as we can see from the above scriptures.

So with the above warning in mind, we must be sure that what we teach to others is of God or whether it is from the tradition of men, or in other words, things which men make up and teach in order to control other people in some way.

Women Leaders in the Bible

Whether I Corinthians 14:34-35 was a quote from a letter that the Corinthians wrote to Paul or Paul was quoting it from the Talmud or some other part of the "Jewish Oral Law," it doesn't really matter, because it can be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that many scriptures from Genesis to Revelation show women doing the same spiritual things that men have long claimed is only exclusive to them. Let's look at some of them:

Miriam

We find Miriam leading other women in songs, music and dance.

Huldah

We find the king consulting Huldah for her knowledge in regard to the law of God.

Anna

We find Anna speaking in regard to Christ, to all who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Phebe

We find Phebe in charge of the church at Cenchrea and Paul is telling others to assist her in the business of the church as she needs.

Deborah

We find that Deborah was a judge who judged matters of both men and women as the law of God stated. Deborah was definitely a woman who corrected both men and women when correction according to the law of God was needed.

Scriptures Which Men Use to Claim They have Control Over Women

Following are some of the scriptures which men use to claim that they (men) have authority over women where they can tell them (women) that they (women) are not to "speak in the church" because it usurps authority over men. (1 Timothy 2:11-12)

The city of the Ephesians was a worshipper of the great goddess Diana (Acts Chapter 19). Among the doctrines of the goddess Diana was the doctrine of women having superiority over men. See information below in regard to Diana goddess of the Amazons.

The goddess Diana

The myth about the Amazons takes an exceptional position in this respect. Stories about women who were able to exist without men, and furthermore could resist men in wars and even more could defeat them, something like that could - in today's academic opinion - never be true. So this story was put in the realm of fantasy, though most of the ancient writers did not show any doubts that they considered it as true history.

If you look at the below scriptures one will see that Paul is telling the Ephesus church not to give heed to fables and endless genealogies. Since the temple of Diana was at Ephesus, we can see this type of worship was what Paul was speaking against to the Ephesian Church. Women were more than likely taught from little on up that they were superior to men and Paul was trying to teach them not to give heed to "fables (of Diana) and endless genealogies (of being descendants of the Amazons)" In 1 Timothy 1:7 Paul is saying that these who were turned aside to vain jangling (talk) were desiring to be teachers of the law, but didn't understand the law. One cannot teach the law of God if one does not understand the law of God.

Take a close look at 1 Timothy 2:9-10.

When one is declaring to be godly because they think they are, most times they are not. Paul is simply saying in these verses that those women professing to be godly do not even understand the law of God so therefore are not fit to teach it. It is obvious from what is stated in verse 12 that these particular woman who did not understand the law of God because of their background of Diana worship which taught them they were superior to men, were not to be allowed to teach but need to peacefully learn the law of God first.

Since Paul has clearly shown in many other scriptures his deep respect to women in the church as leaders within the church, I do not believe that one can take these scriptures to prove that women cannot teach, preach and prophesy within the church.

Here's another one that men use to keep women from using the gifts that God freely gave to her. In 1 Corinthians 11:3 it explains: God is the head of Christ and Christ is the head of the man and man is the head of the woman. Men take this scripture and try to use it to prove their superiority over women, but is that what is being shown here?

God and Christ are one in purpose and at some point they expect men and women to be at one with them in purpose. If Christ is following God, it is good. If man is following Christ then he is godly and he in turn leads his wife in the same direction, which is to God. There is nothing in this scripture to show that a man has anymore authority to boss his wife around than Christ bosses the church around. The point is that Christ does not boss the church around and neither can men use this scripture to show they have the authority to boss their wife around.

"Think about it. Jesus is saying, if you want to be great, great in God's eyes, be a servant. Let's meditate on this for a moment. What is greatness anyway? Is it being exalted in the eyes of the people? Is it some great title? Is it something like this so we can strut around and people will just bow down to us? No, absolutely not. However, this is the way of this world. This is how man likes to think of himself in a rulership position. In man's society and government it usually follows a form of intimidation and fear."

"So even though the form of government appears hierarchical, it doesn't function the way man's government functions. In God's government the Godly elements of giving and serving, make it work. There is no lording over and intimidation or threats. There is hierarchy alright, but the greater the authority the greater the service. (Mat. 20:25-28 & Mark 10:44) It's a law. It has to be this way or else the whole system would fail. As the level of authority increases, the level of responsibility also increases, and it follows then that the need for greater serving also increases."

"So again, here is God, ruler over all the universe, bound by his law of service, becoming a bond servant to all beneath that supreme authority. To be otherwise would break the law of love and outgoing concern and would ultimately fail. This is exactly what happened to Lucifer and why his perverted hierarchy doesn't work. His style of government is also hierarchical, but it is self serving. It lords itself over others, it exalts itself."

"Most larger churches, including Churches of God, seem to function with a power structure, a visible hierarchy of individuals in charge on down to the lowest. Which brings up the question. Are some people to be esteemed higher than others? What's the highest rank you would think? What's the lowest? Again, when we start talking like this, it's not God's government we're discussing."

"Sure God is in charge, but God first of all governs by his Spirit. God's form of hierarchy is based on service and is conducted by the gifts given to various individuals for that service. Notice 1 Corinthians 12. The entire chapter is talking about various gifts for serving, andnot that one is better than the other or that one person should be 'lording' it over another. All the gifts of service given by God, are necessary, but they have different functions."

"What is this telling us? Is it to show a government power structure with a hierarchical level of authority? No. Rather all these gifts are not for 'being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.' (1 Pet. 5:3) The word 'lords' comes from the Greek word 'katakurieuo'. One of it's meanings is 'exercise dominion over' (Young's Concordance).So isn't the real essence of 1 Corinthians 12 telling us the gifts are to be used for service and not for authority in the sense of having dominion over others?"

“As we look around and observe the 'Churches of God', as well as all churches, many, if not most have a structure like other governments in the world. Because of their hierarchical structure, and human nature, the tendency is to 'lord' positions of authority over others. Pride and vanity are deeply entrenched in the human psyche and placing people in 'offices' of authority, without a comparable amount of the Godly elements spoken of earlier, can lead to abuse of the power."

"Why will God's government succeed where man's has failed? Because it will be administered "Not by might nor by power but by my spirit saith the Lord of Hosts." (Zech. 4:6)"

As we can see by the many quotes from Arlan Weight's article, no one is to "lord it over anyone, if they are being guided by God's Holy Spirit." So we can see from this that if men are using this false doctrine or any of the scriptures stated in this section of this article to claim that they have authority over women in regard to telling them they are not to use any of the gifts or talents which God freely gives to women to spread the word of God, then I say that they have a spiritual problem and should start looking at what God has to say about their own thirst for power and need for control over God's heritage. Remember women make up half of God's church and if you oppress them by saying they cannot freely use the gifts and talents God gave them, then you are also keeping the church from growing through love. There is no love where abuse of power exists.

Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

This section of scriptures needs to be looked at in context of what is being said. For example, it isn't just the women which are being told to submit. In verse 21, it clearly shows that both men and women are to submit to each other. So in this case it does not show that a man has some sort of extra power over his wife that she does not have.

If one looks at verse 23 one can clearly see that the type of authority that the husband has over his wife is the exact same kind of authority that Christ uses to rule his church. So if all men study how Christ rules his church and apply that same kind of authority to their families, then men will be ruling in a Christ like manner.

Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

The word obedient here has the same Strong's Number as the word submit in Ephesians, it is Strong's #5293. One of the meanings is as follows: A Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader". In non-military use, it was "a voluntary attitude of giving, in cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden".

Sorry men, but this one doesn't seem to mean that men are allowed to exercise some kind of extra power or might over women either.

1 Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

Again here the Strong's number for the word subjection is again #5293, the same as in Ephesians and Titus. If one reads this verse carefully you will see that it is actually promoting the idea of a woman teaching by her conduct and without reading scriptures if she is dealing with an unbelieving husband.

This scripture is stating the consequence of Eve's sin in the Garden of Eden. God never meant for men to rule over women, but when Eve sinned her desire was now directed toward her husband rather than toward God. When women try to please men, it gives men an automatic control over women, which is out of balance. When women are converted members of God's church that focus goes back to pleasing God and the government of God is restored via God's Holy Spirit.

This scripture does not give men any extra authority to rule over women, because it is just stating the consequences of Eve's sin and is not a command for men to rule over women.

Rabbi Nathan M. Sarna in his commentary on Genesis (1989) agrees with many Christian commentators when he writes: "It is quite clear from Gen. 2:18, 23 that the ideal society, which hitherto existed, affirmed the absolute equality of the sexes. The new state of male domination is regarded as a deterioration of the human condition that resulted from defiance of the divine will."

But the critical question is, does "he shall rule over you" express God's will for male-female relationships, or does it simply describe the distortion of God's will which sin introduced into our race? If the latter, the many expressions of male domination in our own and other societies are clearly wrongs perpetrated against women by men. From: Every Woman in the Bible, by Sue and Larry Richards

4. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5. So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7. Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that shewethmercy, with cheerfulness.

9. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

10. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

11. Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit;serving the Lord;

12. Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

13. Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

1 Corinthians 12:4-10

4. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

6. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

8. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9. To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10. To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

25. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

26. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

27. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

28. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments,diversities of tongues.

29. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

30. Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

31. But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

11. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12.For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

God does not state when speaking of any of the above gifts that any of them are to only go to men or to only go to women. If anyone is teaching that women are not allowed to use every one of the gifts or talents that God gives to her to use, then be warned it is a false doctrine which they are teaching and God will hold them accountable for it. Spiritually speaking men and women are to be treated equally and either sex can be given any of the gifts that God wants to give to any one of His elect, whether man or woman.

We saw earlier in this article that Paul does not forbid either men or women from prophesying (expounding on the law of God, inspired speaking or teaching). From the above verses, one can also see that Moses did not forbid either men or women from using their gift of prophecy. If both Moses and Paul taught that it was okay for women to speak then why would it be okay for men to teach just the opposite? Could it be that they are false teachers?

Much of the oppression of women stems from the fall of Eve. Many men blame Eve yet today for this terrible state of sin which permeates the entire world, but we don't hear too much from men about what Adams part in the fall from grace was. Eve was deceived, but Adam knew better and yet he not only stood by and watched Eve eat the fruit from the forbidden tree but he of his own free will also ate the fruit from the tree.

BIBLE BACKGROUND: RABBINICAL EMPHASES

The sayings of the rabbis who lived during and after the time of Christ emphasize the "otherness" of women. The supposition was that women were essentially different from men. Rabbinic sages even offered a different explanation of Eve's Hebrew name, linking it to the Aramaic word for "serpent." As a result many midrashic stories related about Eve portray her either as a dangerously evil character or as a silly and childish female who was approached by the serpent because she was "light-minded" and vulnerable to his cunning. How different the Eve of the rabbis is from the Eve portrayed in Scripture who, although deceived, was neither venal nor silly.

How striking that stereotypes promoted by men tend to emphasize real or imagined differences between men and women while God's Word in Genesis emphasizes their essential equality. From: Every Woman in the Bible, by Sue and Larry Richards

There was a terrible spiritual flaw within Adam, which still exists in both men and women today and it has to do with a total lack of love for other people. Adam knew that Eve was going to eat the fruit. Adam knew that it was wrong to eat the fruit. Adam stood silent and let Eve eat the fruit even though he knew it was wrong. Adam did not love Eve when he did not try to stop her from eating the fruit that he clearly knew she was about to eat. Silence is not a virtue, it may well be sin. Perhaps men to this day are trying to keep the women silent because of their own guilt in regard to the fall of Adam and Eve?

Men do not have more spirituality that they should be the only ones allowed to expound on the word of God in public settings. Many times both men and women go astray because they choose one man to teach them and when that one man goes astray then they all fall in the ditch together, both teacher and follower. So for us to think that a woman should only be taught by her husband at home is unsound reasoning, because not every woman's husband is honest with the scriptures.

The teaching of women not speaking in the church is clearly a false doctrine and for anyone who continues with this teaching, they will be keeping the church from growing due to a lack of love, because when members of the church are lording it over women, they are participating in the persecution of half of the church of God.

In verse 37 Paul is clearly saying that the things that he writes to the Corinthians are the commandments of the Lord. What the Corinthians write to Paul or what Paul is quoting from other sources are not the commandments of the Lord. We believe enough evidence has been presented throughout this article to show that verses 34 & 35 is a quotation from some other source other than the Bible. We believe verse 36 is Paul reprimanding the Corinthian church for their false doctrine as stated in verses 34 & 35.

Dr. Katharine C. Bushnell (1856-1946), a physician, missionary, and Bible scholar fluent in Hebrew and Greek notes that vv. 34-35 refer to some external rule separate from Scripture. Bushnell quotes the great 19th century German lexicographer Schleusner who said the expression as also saith the law "refers to the Oral Law of the Jews" noting that "in the Old Testament no precept concerning this matter exists." Additionally, Vitringa, an 18th century scholar, said that it was "forbidden by Jewish tradition for women to speak in the synagogue." Bushnell also comments that the Talmud remanded women to keep silent because according to Rabbi Eliezer "the voice of a woman is filthy nakedness." Bushnell points out that Scripture supports the exact opposite of what verse 34 is claimed to prevent. She rhetorically asks: "what is to be done with the hundred and one other "laws" in the O. T. opening the mouths of women?"

Dennis J. Preato says the following: Verses 34-35 do not prohibit women from speaking in the church in either pulpit ministry, teaching, preaching, praying, prophesying, or any other speaking function. These verses represent a quotation, which is the most plausible and correct interpretation. Paul is quoting a saying from the Oral Law of the Jews which is not intended to be understood as the writer's original declaration. The evidence is compelling, diverse, and objective. This view also allows for the natural flow of thought to remain uninterrupted with verses "34-35" noted as a quotation and a rebuke beginning in verse 36. Paul also has no need to specifically address women as the only cause of "interrupting the service" as some scholars suggest. Paul's conclusion in verse 40 is more than adequate to tell the Corinthians that both men and women must be careful to minister in the gifts of the Spirit in an orderly fashion.

The focus of Chapter 14 is on the proper use of spiritual gifts, tongues and prophecy. Paul's closing exhortation, beginning in verse 39, is a fitting conclusion: Therefore, my brothers and sisters, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. But let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner.

It is a travesty that men have systematically denied women the opportunity to utilize the full extent of their gifts for God's glory. This denial is based on a few highly problematic passages in Scripture, such as 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1 Timothy 2:12. Perhaps the obvious must again be stated: Sound hermeneutical principles warn against drawing unwarranted inferences from passages fraught with numerous interpretive issues. Yet, despite this knowledge, scholars, church leaders, and lay people continue to utilize such passages to deny or limit women the full exercise of their God-given gifts.

Scripture teaches us that the gifts and callings of God are given to all members of the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 12:3-8; I Cor. 12:4-11; Eph. 4:7-11; I Pet. 4:10-11). None of these gifts or offices is the exclusive prerogative of men. I believe this oppressive behavior against women grieves the Holy Spirit and hinders the Spirit's work in the Church. Much confusion in the church today over "women in ministry" results from Bible scholars and others who fail to rightly divide and present God's truth.

Many evangelical scholars have boldly attempted to break down traditional assumptions and biases that prevent women from speaking and ministering in churches as pastors and teachers of the Word. A tremendous obstacle still remains. Bibles generally do not present alternative interpretive options of many "problem passages." First Corinthians 14:34-35 illustrates this point.

Recently a gentleman I know said that God has an order to things and it doesn't include women speaking in public settings within the church. He went on to tell me that the reason that it was inappropriate for women to speak publicly within the church was because a woman might speak publicly for the correction of men.

Darwin says:

Can we as men be big enough to crucify our ego and except correction when needed by who ever God may well be using to correct us? Oh yes, ego; it must be that we men have it or we wouldn't think God gave us dominion over our wife rather than the animals, for God gave Adam and Eve dominion over the animals together. (Gen. 1:28)

Here is our answer to all people: Isaiah 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. And why would we do this? Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

#1=You would rather let your brethren sin. If you tell your brethren before they actually sin you are showing your love for them rather than to just keep your mouth shut and let them hurt themselves or someone else by their sin.

#2=You are afraid you will be over taken in your brothers sin or in your own sin. This shows your self-centeredness. Save yourself first attitudes translate into a lack of love for your brethren. Christ laid down His life for every man, woman and child on this earth as an example to us all.

#3=This verse clearly says, "ye which are spiritual" do this. If you are using God's Holy Spirit to help your brethren, that same Holy Spirit will help keep you from getting caught up in your brothers fault.

So all we can conclude from this, is that if you just stand by and say nothing to your brother when you believe he is about to sin, then you suffer from the same spiritual character flaw that Adam suffered from.

We should not stand by in silence as Adam did and just let our brethren sin without attempting to stop them from making mistakes which may well cause them to loose their salvation. We show love for our brethren by helping them to keep their salvation and not by silently letting them sin right before our eyes.

When men receive correction from a woman they ought to consider it the same as if it had come from a man, because correction is all about a person loving you so much they want you to make it into the Kingdom of God and they, man or woman are willing to give their own life in order for you to live. When we don't believe what God says, so that we may hold on to our own doctrines, our fall may not be far off. This is a serious matter.