Most of us have run across some people who are undesirable and it serves no good purpose for us to be around them. In fact there are some with whom we do not wish to associate at all. Sad, but true, we may find some such people "in the church." There are some kinds of women which are not wanted in the church - either by the Lord or his faithful. Shall we notice some such women?
Women who misrepresent the truth as did Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10). This may be done by misrepresenting what the preacher says, or by simply gossiping about other members of the church - at least these are common ways of so doing. James said, "...if any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man" (3:2). Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matt. 12:34). Jesus also said we would have to give an account in the day of judgment for every idle word we speak (v. 36). Women who continue to do such would be unwanted.
Women who look back as did Lot's wife (Gen. 19:17, 26). She looked back to where her home had been, where her goods remained, where her relatives were living, and where her good friends or neighbors remained. All of these were still in Sodom, so her longings were behind and not "out front." Jesus warned, "Remember Lot's wife" (Luke 17:32). Paul said he would forget those things which were behind and press toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-14). Looking back often has us right back to where we were!
Women who cause wickedness as did Jezebel (1 Kings 21). She schemed the death of Naboth in order to get his possessions. She did this by "stirring up" her husband, Ahab. She used the idea similar to, "Are you man or mouse?" This proved to be disastrous to Ahab. Sometimes women will "stir up" their husbands to get their own way in the church. Such women would not be wanted.
Women who discourage their husbands as did Job's wife (Job 2:9). She urged her husband to "curse God, and die" (2:9). Why do you suppose she did this? Could it be that she did not wish to listen to his plight or observe his experiences! Many men never amount to anything in the church because their wives discourage them.
Women who are quarrelsome as were Euodias and Syntyche (Phil. 4:2). Both were Christians, but they were not of the same mind (1 Cor. 1:10). They had failed to do those things which would edify one another (Rom. 14:19). Being irresponsible, they had forgotten to grow up in Christ Jesus (Eph. 4:15) and were not being kind and forgiving (v. 32).
Women who are tattlers and busybodies as in 1 Timothy 5:13. They were idle and wandering from house to house, and they were speaking things which they ought not. It is so easy for one to go from "house to house" today via the telephone. O, for the heartache this often causes!
The encouraging thing is, no woman has to be any of these. She can rise above all these disgusting things and be a real jewel in the labors of this life. She can go to heaven, and she can try to take others there with her. There is no better goal!
- Truth Magazine, March 20, 2003