4 Attitudes Toward God-Given Gender Roles
As you search the Scriptures, you should observe the fact that God has created both man and woman (Genesis 2). Then, after He created the woman, He brought her to the man and they became husband and wife (Genesis 2:22-25). Upon reading the New Testament, it should be plainly observed that the God who created the two sexes (male and female) also assigned each one a different role to fulfill in the home. For the man, God has given him a role of headship (Ephesians 5:23). This role includes the responsibility to love and provide for his family (Ephesians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:10). For the woman, God has given her a role of submission (Ephesians 5:22-24). This role includes the responsibility to respect her husband and be a keeper of the home (Ephesians 5:33; Titus 2:4-5).
In addition to the God-given gender roles in the home, God has given specific gender roles in the church. Once again, it is important to recognize that God is the one who established and built His church. Therefore, like the home, He can assign whatever roles to whomever He chooses. And, again, we see that God has given the leadership roles in the church to men. For instance, women are commanded to keep silent during the times the church is assembled together and not to teach or exercise authority over a man (1 Corinthians 14:34-35; 1 Timothy 2:11-12). Then, the two offices that God has authorized in a local church (elders and deacons) can only be filled by men (1 Timothy 3:1-13).
These are the roles God has assigned to men and women in these two areas. The Scriptures are very plain in outlining each of these. However, upon learning these simple truths, men and women often demonstrate very different attitudes toward these God-given gender roles.
1) Ignore them. Some people have the attitude that simply does not care about the roles God has assigned to men and women. Instead, they choose to do things in their own ways, according to what they feel is right and wrong. In doing so, they simply ignore the teachings of Scripture in this area.
2) Change them. Some people have the attitude that recognizes these Biblical truths, but attempt to justify changing these gender roles. Some, for instance, suggest, that these gender roles were only applicable to the first century period of time. However, they pervert the Scriptures in changing these roles.
3) Lament them. Some people have the attitude that recognizes these God-given gender roles and choose to abide by them, but they are bitter toward these roles. So, rather than fulfilling their roles with gladness, they are always wishing that God had arranged things a little differently. Yet, these people fail to truly demonstrate their love for God by viewing the commandments of God as being burdensome (1 John 5:3).
4) Embrace them. Finally, there are some people who recognize these God-given gender roles and fully embrace them. Rather than viewing these roles from a selfish perspective, these people are happy to fulfill the role(s) that God has assigned to them. They recognize that God truly knows what is best and embrace the opportunity to do their parts.
What is your attitude toward the gender roles God has given in the Scriptures? Anything besides fully embracing your role(s) with joy and gladness will hinder your effectiveness in that area of service to God. One Day, you will stand before God and give an account of how you have fulfilled the role(s) He has given you.