I am going to make a statement before I go any further with this post. My statement simply put says, “Our reputation as women of God must withstand scrutiny.” Actually, I realize there is nothing simple about this declaration as it requires a great deal from us. It demands that we be personally accountable for what we say and do.
It is not easy to be in public places, and not overhear the conversations that people are having with each other. It is especially difficult when you are sitting close, and they are talking loudly. When this happens, you try your best to block out those conversations, but sometimes you are not successful.
When a woman speaks of behavior that she feels is innocent, and yet she knows that her husband would not approve, then there is a problem. Things of the heart become serious motivators to keep secret when they are between people who are outside of the marriage covenant.
What seems like harmless conversation, or friendly on-line chatting, can lead to places where compromises that you thought you would never make suddenly become your reality. This new reality has you crossing the line between what you know you should do, and what you want to do. Often, by the time this line has been crossed, you have chosen to disregard that internal voice warning you against such behavior.
For believing women we know that this voice is the Holy Spirit speaking clearly. Telling us that what we are doing is not a good idea. It is the Spirit of God calling us back to what we know is true, and away from the lies that have caught our attention. The lies that the world is very good at saying are free from moral wrong, and what God’s Word calls sin.
1 Corinthians 10:13 CSB No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way out so that you may be able to bear it.