Marie Monette

As I look at the photo of the “discernment divas” that heads up your article, Cheryl, I can’t help but think that Phil is missing one thing: A true photo of godly women who are truly concerned about correct doctrine, and purity of biblical teaching, would be holding open bibles in their laps. Why is Phil focusing on women when he argues his point? He needs to realize that the key issue is that the vehicle itself is not where the Lord wants our gaze to be fixed. As Paul exhorted Titus in chapter 2, verse 8: “And let your instruction be sound and fit and wise and wholesome, vigorous and irrefutable and above censure, so that the opponent may be put to shame, finding nothing discrediting or evil to say about us.” Amplified. In other words, if someone finds something to say about our teaching that may call it’s validity into question, NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE, we had better run to the Word of God and check it out! It is God’s will that all of His children submit to, and seek a correct understanding of the Word of God.
It takes humility and a spirit of repentance to keep an open mind to diligently search the scriptures to discover the truth, when we may be in error. If it happens to be a woman who has kept herself well-versed in her knowledge of Holy Scripture, then any man whom she may approach to question/correct, had better heed the Holy Spirit’s warning! Being warned by a woman may be a blessing that could keep a man from a worst error! The following verses remind us of how serious God takes the sin of false teaching:
Re. Holy Scripture…
* Add nothing to it (Rev. 22:18)
* Take nothing from it (Rev. 22:19)
* Change nothing in it (Proverbs 30:6)
The Word of God itself reveals very dire consequences for those who disobey the above warnings. Whether male or female, Phil and all teachers of the Word who will “…assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation'”, (James 3:1, Amp.), need to thank God for his merciful red alert, whenever it comes, whether through male or female vessels!