Leadership Lifestyle of Women

A person who has an influence on another, is a leader. Therefore, all of us are leaders! Influence is very catchy and contagious like 'Influenza'!

Even without our knowledge, we are constantly influencing others positively or negatively through our behavior, attitudes, actions and words!

Our greatest influence is on those who are closest to us, like our spouses and children.

Although special emphasis in this blog will be on us as wives and how our influence on our husbands will affect their leadership lifestyle, the following principles also apply to husbands, all women, men and even to children.

Following are some examples taken from the Scriptures:

• Jezebel and Zeresh are two wives who influenced their husbands Ahab and Haman, very strongly in their wicked ways.

The men had wicked desires.

Their wicked wives supported them and with cruel ideas, implemented their plans to the point of murdering others, to fulfil the wicked desires of their husbands!

You can read their stories in the Bible: 1 Kings chapter 21 and Esther chapter 5 respectively.

But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up. 1 Kings 21:25

Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, "Let a gallows be made, fifty cubits high, and in the morning suggest to the king that Mordecai be hanged on it; then go merrily with the king to the banquet." And the thing pleased Haman; so he had the gallows made. Esther 5:14

• Eve and Sarai took the wrong thing and gave to their husbands!

Eve was enticed by the serpent in the garden of Eden, to take fruit from the tree forbidden by GOD. After eating it, she offered it to her husband.

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:6

Beautiful things that we see, especially when we walk around in shopping centers, such as: Tempting and unhealthy food, Body massages, Everything that offers more Stimulation and comfort to the Body; Beauty treatments and skin products, Fancy clothing and jewelry. Better jobs with higher salaries, Prestigious schools for our children, Modern Houses and Upgraded Lifestyles which pump us up into the Pride of Life.

It is easy for us as women, to give into the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, and to lead our husbands in that path of carnality!

 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.
And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17

So Sarai said to Abram, "See now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her." And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai. Then Sarai, Abram's wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife, .So he went in to Hagar, and she conceived… Genesis 16:2-4

Although what Sarai and Abraham did with Hagar, may have been acceptable according to the culture of that time, it was not pleasing to GOD. Let us not be cheated and deceived by the standards, traditions, values and thinking of this world and distract our husbands in their walk of faith!

 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Colossians 2:6-10

The Scriptural role of the wife is: To be a suitable helper for her husband, To take her responsibility to keep the 'Home fires burning' by Preparing suitable food, Washing, ironing and sorting the clothes, Keeping the house clean and tidy and Providing for the family an atmosphere of warmth and love!

Besides all the above work, the time a woman takes, to pray and intercede for her husband and children, waiting on the LORD and praying as led by the Holy Spirit, will protect the family from spiritual, emotional and physical disasters. These prayers will GOD indeed answer, to increase love for GOD in the individuals and to build loving and healthy relationships with each other.

 The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.
Trough wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established;
By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. Proverbs 14:1, 24:3-4

• Ananias and Saphira agreed together to deceive the Holy Spirit. They were part of the early Church, sold their property and pretended to give the whole proceeds to the Church, while keeping a part of it for themselves. Peter confronted Ananias and he fell dead. About 3 hours later Saphira walks in and when confronted, falls dead! You can read this story in the Book of Acts chapter 5, verses 1-11

The Scripture says, wives, submit to your own husbands as to the LORD. 

Being submissive to our husbands, does not excuse us from our responsibility to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. We must gently speak to our husbands in such instances and seek to obey the LORD.

If Ananias or Saphira had the fear of GOD, they would have kept the other from falling and the tragedy of two deaths could have been avoided!

Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

• Deborah depicts great spiritual leadership and wonderful support to spiritual leaders.

She was the judge in Israel when they were greatly oppressed by the Canaanites. She sought to bring deliverance to her people. She picked Barak to lead the battle.

This story is found in Judges 4:1-14

1. Then she sent and called for Barak .., and said to him, "Has not the LORD God of Israel commanded, 'Go and deploy troops ..against the Canaanite army and I will deliver them.. into your hand'?"  We can remind our husbands and our spiritual  leaders of the LORD’s promises.  2. And Barak said to her, "If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!" So she said, "I will surely go with you; .

We can assure timid leaders of our support for them.

3. Then Deborah said to Barak, "Up! For this is the day in which the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the LORD gone out before you?" So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him. 

We must encourage them to arise and do what GOD has called them to do in their service for the LORD to bring great victories in GOD’s Kingdom.

• Jael pictures powerful victory in spiritual warfare. This story is found in Judges 4:15-24

When the enemy turned into her tent, she literally 'Hit the nail on his head!'

...Jael, Heber's wife, took a tent peg and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple, and it went down into the ground; for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died. 

Spiritual warfare begins in the mind. Minds are set in various ways depending on experiences, teachings and input through media. Because of the fallen nature of man, most of our thought patterns do not align to the word of GOD.

Diligently studying the Bible and bringing our thoughts in alignment with the Truth, rejecting every mindset that is a lie, is the spiritual battle we must win!

Many things we have taken as truth and right, become strongholds that need effort to be pulled down! Our mind needs to be re-programmed according to the word of GOD with the help of the Holy spirit.

When our mind is renewed in that way, we will be able to recognize and deal with deception and disobedience manifesting in others!

 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

• Abigail shows us how intercessors become the Bride of CHRIST! This beautiful story is found in 1 Samuel chapter 25

When David prepared to destroy foolish Nabal's household, Abigail intervened by going to David with gifts and pleading for mercy, thus preventing destruction and bloodshed.

GOD is Holy and just. Although we sin and fall short of the glory of GOD, He does not want to destroy us but desires to save us. Towards this end, He is looking for intercessors who will 'Stand in the gap' and plead for His mercy and grace.

The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads," says the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 22:29-31

Abigail's husband Nabal was a foolish man. When Nabal died, David sent for Abigail and proposed to her to become his wife.

Then she arose, bowed her face to the earth, and said, "Here is your maidservant, a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord." So Abigail rose in haste and rode on a donkey, attended by five of her maidens; and she followed the messengers of David, and became his wife. 1 Samuel 25:41-42
In this beautiful story, Nabal depicts the world;

David depicts CHRIST;

Abigail depicts the Bride of CHRIST which is the Church including you and me;

The messengers of David depict the Holy Spirit;

The servants of David depict the servants of GOD;

Arose means was revived spiritually;

Bowed her face to the earth means worshiped;

Wash the feet means intercede;

Rode on a donkey speaks of humility;

Attended by five of her maidens means wholly, spirit, soul and body.

When the world is dead to us, the proposal of CHRIST for us to marry Him, comes to us. Then we must arise spiritually, worship the LORD and offer ourselves to serve Him and to intercede for His servants.

We must humble ourselves and wholly follow the leading of the Holy Spirit to become the Bride of CHRIST!

The Holy Spirit is a Comforter and a suitable Helper to us. 

So is a Godly woman to her husband.

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.

She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. Proverbs 31

Such is the influence of a godly woman!

She displays Strength and Support like a Beautiful Pillar as described in Psalm 144:12

That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth;

That our daughters may be as pillars, Sculptured in palace style; 

Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; Proverbs 9:1

Let the following Seven-bar Pillar be a study guide to you.

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God…Revelation 3:12

BELIEVE

BELIEVE

• There are many people, advertisements and commercial organizations, that make us believe what they say! We have been given a free will and a sound mind to make right decisions. If we are seeking the truth with a clear motive, we will believe what is true. If we believe a lie, we will be deceived.
  
  
  
  
  • The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps. Proverbs 14:15

• GOD, in His word the Bible, instructs us to believe in Him and in His Son, JESUS, so that our souls might be saved from eternal destruction.

 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, 

that whoever believes in Him 

should not perish but have everlasting life.
For God did not send His Son into the world 

to condemn the world, 

but that the world through Him might be saved.
He who believes in Him is not condemned; 

but he who does not believe is condemned already, 

because he has not believed 

in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 

John 3:16-18

• We are given an opportunity to see, hear and read, so that we might believe. John the Baptist gave witness and spoke that JESUS was the expected Savior of the world. Many believed his word.

 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light,

 that all through him might believe.

John 1:6-7

Then many came to Him and said,

 "John performed no sign,

 but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true."

And many believed in Him there.

John 10:41-42

• During our LORD's time on earth, people had the privilege of seeing Him, hearing Him, touching Him and being touched by Him!
  Yet, many did not believe that He was the Son of GOD.
  The religious leaders worked against JESUS. A man who was born blind was healed and because of his testimony, he was cat out of the synagogue.
  
  

Jesus heard that they had cast him out;

and when He had found him, He said to him,

"Do you believe in the Son of God?" He answered and said, "Who is He, Lord,

that I may believe in Him?" And Jesus said to him,

"You have both seen Him

and it is He who is talking with you." Then he said, "Lord, I believe!" And he worshiped Him. John 9:35-38

The blind man received not only his physical sight, but more importantly, his spiritual vision so that he could believe!

when the Risen LORD appeared to His disciples, Thomas was not with them.

Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve,

was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him,

"We have seen the Lord." So he said to them,

"Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails,

and put my finger into the print of the nails,

and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." And after eight days His disciples were again inside,

and Thomas with them. Jesus came,

the doors being shut, and stood in the midst,

and said, "Peace to you!" Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here,

and look at My hands; and reach your hand here,

and put it into My side.

Do not be unbelieving, but believing." And Thomas answered and said to Him,

"My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me,

you have believed. Blessed are those

who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:24-29

 Later He appeared to

the eleven as they sat at the table

 and He rebuked their unbelief

and hardness of heart,

 because they did not believe

those who had seen Him after He had risen.

Mark 16:14

• The Samaritan woman, who had an encounter with JESUS, testified about Him to the people of her city. They took her word and came to meet with JESUS and they testified to her in return that they too had met Him, Who is the Savior of the world!

And many of the Samaritans of that city

believed in Him

 because of the word of the woman who testified,

 "He told me all that I ever did."

John 4:39

Then they said to the woman, 

"Now we believe, not because of what you said, 

for we ourselves have heard Him

 and we know that this is indeed the Christ,

the Savior of the world." 

John 4:42

• The Apostle John wrote the Gospel so that people would believe in JESUS and find salvation in Him.
  
  

And truly Jesus did many other signs

in the presence of His disciples,

which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,

and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:30-31

• The Apostles and disciples of the LORD JESUS not only spoke about Him, but also worked signs, wonders and miracles in His name. The people therefore not only heard the message, but also saw people healed in the name of JESUS and many believed in Him. Some were against those who preached the name of JESUS.

 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, 

the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees 

came upon them, being greatly disturbed 

that they taught the people and preached in Jesus 

the resurrection from the dead.
And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody 

until the next day, for it was already evening.
However, many of those who heard the word believed; 

and the number of the men 

came to be about five thousand. 

Acts 4:1-4

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, 

and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, 

they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
And seeing the man who had been healed 

standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 

Acts 4:13-14


Now the multitude of those who believed 

were of one heart and one soul; 

neither did anyone say that any of the things 

he possessed was his own, 

but they had all things in common. 

Acts 4:32

• We cannot do the works of GOD without believing in Him. Our life in GOD flows through our faith.

 Then they said to Him,

"What shall we do,

that we may work the works of God?"

 Jesus answered and said to them,

 "This is the work of God,

that you believe in Him whom He sent."

John 6:28-29

• What we believe in our heart, we must confess with our mouth.

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus

 and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead,

 you will be saved.

 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness,

 and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:9-10

• When we believe, we please GOD and position ourselves to receive His rewards.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him,

 for he who comes to God must believe that He is

 and that He is a rewarder

of those who diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6

• We are adopted as children of GOD when we believe in the LORD JESUS and receive Him.

But as many as received Him,

 to them He gave the right to become children of God,

 to those who believe in His name:

John 1:12 

• We are seen as righteous in GOD’S eyes not because of any righteous deed of ours, but only because of our belief in the LORD JESUS and what He has done on our behalf.
  
  

For what does the Scripture say?

 "Abraham believed God,

and it was accounted to him for righteousness."

Now to him who works,

the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

But to him who does not work

 but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly,

 his faith is accounted for righteousness,

Romans 4:3-5

• Believing in the LORD should also result in believing words spoken by genuine servants of GOD. Thus will we be established in our faith and prosper in our spiritual life.

So they rose early in the morning

and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa;

 and as they went out,

Jehoshaphat stood and said,

 "Hear me, O Judah

and you inhabitants of Jerusalem:

 Believe in the LORD your God,

and you shall be established;

 believe His prophets, and you shall prosper."

2 Chronicles 20:20

• When we believe in the LORD, we are able to receive His power to live victoriously.

and what is the exceeding greatness

of His power toward us who believe,

 according to the working of His mighty power

Ephesians 1:19

• Our prayers are answered when we pray with belief.

Jesus said to him,

 "If you can believe,

all things are possible to him who believes."

Immediately the father of the child cried

out and said with tears,

 "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"

Mark 9:23-24 

 Therefore I say to you,

whatever things you ask when you pray,

 believe that you receive them,

and you will have them.

Mark 11:24

And whatever things you ask in prayer,

believing,  you will receive."

Matthew 21:22

• It is necessary to believe, to see the fulfillment of GOD’S promises in our lives.

Blessed is she who believed,

 for there will be a fulfillment of those things

 which were told her from the Lord."

Luke 1:45 

• Because of his Belief in GOD, Daniel was protected even in the den of lions!

 Then the king was exceedingly glad for him, 

and commanded that they should

take Daniel up out of the den. 

So Daniel was taken up out of the den, 

and no injury whatever was found on him, 

because he believed in his God.

Daniel 6:23

• We must believe GOD and enter into His rest during our time on earth so that at the end of our life, we may enter into eternal rest with Him!

For indeed the gospel was preached

to us as well as to them;

 but the word which they heard did not profit them, 

not being mixed with faith

in those who heard it.

For we who have believed

do enter that rest, as He has said:

 "So I swore in My wrath, '

They shall not enter My rest,' "

 although the works were finished

from the foundation of the world.

Hebrews 4:2-3 

• Eternal mansions are prepared for those of us who believe in GOD and in the LORD JESUS.

 "Let not your heart be troubled;

 you believe in God, believe also in Me.

 In My Father's house are many mansions;

 if it were not so, I would have told you.

 I go to prepare a place for you.

 And if I go and prepare a place for you,

 I will come again and receive you to Myself;

 that where I am, there you may be also.

John 14:1-3

• As believers, we should be witnesses of the LORD JESUS, by living lives full of love, faith and power. The LORD JESUS has commissioned His people to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every individual. This should be our desire to obey the LORD and do this according to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel is the power of GOD unto salvation to everyone who believes. It is therefore very important for those of us who have experienced the LORD, to testify to others about our experiences so that they may believe. Testimonies impact lives powerfully and bring people to the place of being ready to believe. The Living GOD reveals Himself to those whose hearts are open to believe. It could be through a dream, a vision, a supernatural change of situation, a miracle in response to the heart’s cry or a healing touch.

How then shall they call on Him

in whom they have not believed?

 And how shall they believe in Him

of whom they have not heard?

 And how shall they hear without a preacher?

 Romans 10:14

 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,

 for it is the power of God to salvation

for everyone who believes,

 Romans 1:16

We must be living what we are believing. 

If we are believing in JESUS, we should be living in JESUS.

 That which was from the beginning,

 which we have heard,

which we have seen with our eyes,

 which we have looked upon,

and our hands have handled,

 concerning the Word of life--

the life was manifested,

 and we have seen, and bear witness,

 and declare to you that eternal life

 which was with the Father

and was manifested to us-

- that which we have seen

and heard we declare to you,

 that you also may have fellowship with us;

 and truly our fellowship is with the Father

and with His Son Jesus Christ.

 And these things we write to you

that your joy may be full.

1 John 1:1-4

I heard about Jesus from my parents, then from my teachers at Sunday school, then from Christian leaders and friends. I heard personal testimonies and I believed in Him and I received Him.

Now I hear Him through His word and I hear the voice of His Holy Spirit in me.

I see evidence of His workings in the lives of people and in situations.

I sense His ongoing work on me, in me and through me.

I experience His healing touch in my body.

Jesus is real! He is alive!!

 I know this for myself and I believe in Him and believe what He says. 

Rebecca John