Silly Women – An Easy Prey

“For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts” II Timothy 3:6 

Reading the above verse this morning reminded me of a recent incident. My daughter-in-law sent a short video clip of our little buddy giggling. I don’t have to tell you how cute he was, do I? 😉 My comment back to her was “What a silly, happy little buddy”.

The word “silly” is an appropriate, often-used term to describe children. Why? Because their immaturity causes them to behave that way. The definition for this adjective is:

silly – “Weak in intellect; foolish; witless; destitute of ordinary strength of mind; simple; as a silly man; a silly child.”

Even though silliness is to be expected in little ones, the above verse reminds us that this word can, unfortunately, be used to describe adults as well. And, as the verse talks of deceivers who “creep into houses”, it warns us that these “silly women” are easy prey for false doctrine. A portion of Barnes’ commentary is as follows:

“Satan began his work of temptation with Eve rather than with Adam, and the advocates of error usually follow his example. There are always weak-minded women enough in any community to give an opportunity of practicing these arts, and often the aims of the imposter and deceiver can be best secured by appealing to them. Such women are easily flattered; they are charmed by the graceful manners of religious instructors; they lend a willing ear to anything that has the appearance of religion, and their hearts are open to anything that promises to advance the welfare of the world.” 

Notice some of the characteristics of silly women – “weak-minded, easily flattered, charmed by graceful manners of religious instructors”.  And, just as with Adam and Eve, the silly wife is easily flattered, easily charmed, and therefore the easy prey. The husband, like Adam, often desires to please his wife even over pleasing God. The tragic results of this scenario are entire families led into and held captive by false doctrine.

In the above verse, we can also see WHY women would fall into the “silly women” category. These women are “laden with sins, led away with divers lusts”. Again, a portion of Barnes’ comments:

*laden with sins – “With so many sins that they seem to be burdened with them. The idea is, that they are under the influence of sinful desires and propensities, and hence are better adapted to the purposes of deceivers.”

*led away with divers lusts – “With various kinds of passions or desires – such as pride, vanity, the love of novelty, or a susceptibility to flattery, so as to make them an easy prey to deceivers.”

Ladies, are we easy prey to false teachings?

Are we serious about our spiritual condition – being careful not to allow sin to go unconfessed…or are we burdened down with sin? A good question to ask ourselves would be – “When was the last time the Holy Spirit convicted me about anything?” If you have a hard time remembering the last time you felt the Holy Spirit’s conviction, I encourage you to read – “Treatment & Prevention For A Calloused Heart” found on this blog.

Are we focused on laying up treasures in heaven…or are we so wrapped up with the distractions of this world – to the neglect of those things which have eternal value? If this describes your life, I encourage you to read – “I’ll Wish I Had Given Him More”.

Do we have spiritual discernment to recognize a flattering tongue, or are we easily charmed and flattered? If this is your weakness, I encourage you to read the following articles on this blog concerning the dangers of flattery – “The Dangers Of Flattery” & “The Dangers Of Flattery – Part 2”

Are we negligent in our own spiritual growth? Do we have the mindset that reading and studying God’s Word is only for our husbands? If so, I encourage you to read this reminder – “God’s Word – It’s For Ladies Too!!”

As Christian ladies, we must remember our part in protecting our families from Satan’s snares. Along with praying for our husbands and children, we must recognize and admit our own vulnerability. We must become students of the Word of God ourselves so that we will not be easily influenced and thus led away by those who desire to deceive.

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11 

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” Ephesians 4:14