Nougat 5

Today’s Holy Nougat invites active personal and communal engagement in response to deep reflection.

“Some will slither into households and control immature women who are burdened with sins and driven by all kinds of desires. These women are always learning, but they can never arrive at an understanding of the truth.” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Guard Our Spaces

At a glance, I was put off by the description of women, albeit immature ones, presented in the nougat. Burdened with sins, driven by diverse desires, always learning BUT unable to grasp the truth. Is that how Paul thinks of women? If yes, it certainly justifies the treatment women receive in many churches and causes one to wonder why.

Before reminding me that Paul was a theologian of his context – which he was – it is good to note that some societies openly practiced equality of the sexes. And Paul’s ministry benefited from women. Moreover, it was women who were the mainstay of Jesus’ ministry … witnesses to His divine nature (see John 4), provided support to His ministry, in literal and financial ways (see Luke 8:1-3) and to His resurrection see the end of all four Gospels).

But Paul didn’t speak of those kinds of women. His concern, misdirected or not, was for immature women who had not fully grasped the nuances of our faith. They would probably feature as shallow soil which does not provide wholesomely for the seed of God’s word to take root and bear fruit in their lives. In Matthew 13, they would qualify as the wayside.

If we remain at the descriptor however, we run the risk of missing another, maybe even more crucial point. For he also notes that the End Time is marked by those who ‘slither’ in with the sole purpose of predation, deception and abuse. Predators deliberately seek out weak or vulnerable targets. Thus, whomever is on shallow soil is ready prey for such persons. Now that we know, let’s strengthen our soil and allow God’s Spirit in to secure the seed of God’s Word.

Also implied in the nougat is the issue of sexual harassment, abuse, and exploitation. Many of us know (from first hand experience or by way of anecdotes), that this already occurs. (There are books published on the issue, including one by the World Council of Churches, entitled ‘When Pastors Prey). #MeToo and #ChurchToo bear testimony to this reality. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. We guard ourselves and our kin (faith-based or blood relatives) and just as critically, establish measures to counter such behavior.

These End Time predators are also deceiving innocent people (women in Paul’s opinion). All it takes sometimes is to keep some of God’s Truth and alter one bit to lead humanity astray. The serpent began simply, introducing the idea of ‘reasonable doubt’, thus casting aspersions on God’s character and nature. It was a brilliant idea, but didn’t factor in God’s Redemption plan for the world – women and men alike. We guard against deception, while embracing the grace our God provides through Jesus Christ.

Siblings, I would have loved that I could refute Pauline prophecy about the End Times with respect to manipulation, deception and even grooming of women and weak believers. His words are true. And we must take care, lest we fall into temptation. Jesus cautioned His disciples with those words, and encouraged them to pursue prayer, especially when the looming threat of danger wearied them (see Matthew 26:41). To guard ourselves and those in/under our care requires a strengthened prayer life. It demands a deeper walk with Jesus and ongoing pursuit of God’s Spirit over our lives.

We can overcome by God’s grace. Let’s remain on our guard, looking to Jesus our Savior to keep us until the Day.

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May all we seek be found in Christ