The Weak-Willed Woman

2 Timothy 3:1-7

At first glance this passage of scripture could sound like what you might have just read in the newspaper or saw on the news. Or you could probably turn on any television show and see most of these characteristics as well. We are in the last days. I am not saying that because I think Jesus is coming back next Thursday at 2:14 pm or anything! However, according to biblical theology, we are living in the Messianic era which is the time beginning with the first coming of Christ. Paul tells Timothy to have nothing to do with the unbelieving and unfaithfulness that will characterize this period of time. Timothy was living in it. We are living in it.

More importantly for me, are to truly study verses 6-7 because they mention a phrase that I never want to be characterized with: weak-willed woman. Now before you close this site thinking "well, that's not me honey!", let's look a little closer at whot the weak-willed woman is and some of her characteristics.

First of all, the weak-willed woman is someone who has allowed all or part of the godlessness mentioned in verses 1-5 to come into her home and set up residence. How and why did she do this? Scripture tells us that the godlessness "wormed" its way in, meaning it came in very subtly. The weak-willed woman probably did not even know that it was happening or that she had a choice to shut the door. The following list of characteristics was written by Angela Thomas. It may not be a complete list of characteristics, but I think it covers a lot ground in our lives.

Characteristics of a Weak-Willed Woman

• Consumed with her fears, eaten up with fear
• Self-absorbed
• Beaten Down - you may even be able to tell by her countenance that she is having a hard time
• Loud and Brash - she may cover up her pain by being this way
• Tells everybody what they should do but does not allow God to show her what she should do
• Is not sure God loves her or that He calls her beautiful
• Has an empty soul - no one has ever come through for her to fill her soul and she is not relying of Jesus to bring satisfaction
• Allows disappointment to become self-pity which can eventually lead to depression
• Harbors a grudge
• Plays with gossip, but is usually an expert at disguising it as something else
• Discretely indulges her obsessions - such as staying on budget while shopping with friends, but buying way too much on the internet. Or having a glass of wine with dinner and then drinking the whole bottle when everyone is gone. Or keeping a filter on the TV or computer for the children but looking at anything she wants to when the children are in bed.
• Very easily hurt or offended
• Critical Spirit
• Spiritually knowledgeable but essentially lost

Angela Thomas Do You Think I'm Beautiful

When I look at this list, I have to admit to myself that I have "weak-willed woman potential". The one that is the hardest to look at is the last one. The weak-willed woman is always learning. She know her Bible. But, she is guilt ridden because of her sins. She is torn by lust and has probably been subject to many false teachers. I never want to be her and I know that you do not either. So how do we not become her?

When godlessness knocks at your door through the form of television or the computer, shut it off. When godlessness knocks at you door through what you hear on the radio, turn it off. When godlessness knocks at your door through the books you read, put them down and get rid of them. When godlessness knocks at your door in your mind, immediately take that thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Satan comes in many forms. Let us pray that God will make us acutely aware of his schemes and that He will guard our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7).

There is something else that God says we can become... a display of His splendor. Let us allow Christ to make that a reality.

"...and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor." Isaiah 61:3