There are many people leaving Christianity. Many are sighting abuse as their justification. As I observe, plenty people in the world seem to be more angry at Christians than ever. In order not to give up, one must remain truly anchored in Christ. The behavior of those around us who profess to be Christians but are abusive or dishonest is not a reason for me to reject God.

People who falsely portray God have helped to turn many others away from God.

I admit, for me it has not always been easy to find a biblically sound church. Should I attend a false church so that I don’t forsake assembly with other believers? Should I marry a toxic man because he claims he is Christian, goes to church and I’m tired of waiting for the right man? No, on both counts.

How about joining the radical feminist ideology that women can and should do anything men do, including walk around topless or enjoy promiscuity? Well, no. It is not for me. I am not trying to fit in with the culture. I want to please God.

There is so much pressure to conform either to the world, or to various church’s interpretations and application of scripture.

How can I thrive and allow God to use me wherever I am, no matter how bad and confusing the circumstances are? A significant way for me to be a good influence is to live right in the sight of God. In some ways, I think it is greater for others to witness my behavior than for me to give them a “sermon.”

I also am able to have influence by my rejection of what is ungodly and unhealthy. Much of the ungodly behavior is happening in church communities. The world is watching those who profess to be Christians. Many tend to lump Christians and others under the huge umbrella of “religious.”

My rejection of false doctrine and ungodly witness makes a bold statement about me and separates me from those who are simply religious. So much going on in some churches is wrong and has been wrong for so long. Unfortunately, it is minimally addressed.

When attempting conversation with certain leaders and other people to address some important issues, some of them act uncomfortable and are defensive. Why? Is the “honor” code that is used to cover up sin inside the church and elsewhere right? Perhaps instead of keeping the Commandments, they want to keep secrets. It appears some church leaders seek power and popularity moreso than to please God. Their top priority doesn’t seem to be to reflect the righteousness of God.

I say this because of the hypocrisy I see in their behavior and in religious circles. I conclude it because many refuse to properly deal with problems in the church- especially the leadership problems.

A pastor or bishop in the church can’t be right inside the church if he is not right at home. 1 Timothy 3: 3-4 tells us a man should be leading his household correctly before he can lead the church correctly.

I cannot believe some of the things some professed Christians are saying. Much of it is false. Much of it is propogated by misogynist pastors and targets women.

Here is some of what is being said:

• Fathers are more important than mothers.

• Husbands are more important than wives, because they are the head of the wife.

• Women are to blame for all the problems in the world because Eve was deceived.

Well, Eve was held responsible for initiating in partaking of the forbidden fruit. However, her husband did not correct her, but willingly partook, even though he was not deceived. Adam has held responsible as well.

Interestingly enough, the Bible informs us that all die in Adam. Adam was the leader. It is said that people die in him, but are made alive in Christ. I gather that the woman was in the transgression, but her husband held greater responsibility.

“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15: 22.”

• Feminism is the main problem in the world.

• Allowing women to vote is one of the worst decisions ever made.

• Only men are made in the image of God.

That’s not what Genesis 1: 26-27 and Genesis 5: 1-2 says: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

Why do these people not mention misogyny and male chauvinism, which is an initiating factor for feminism? Is all of the sex abuse and spiritual abuse, the assaults and murders going on not a problem? Feminism is the main issue in the world?

I am not making a fuss because a few churches are teaching these kinds of things. There are many churches teaching very harmful things and their teachings are spreading like wildfire. It matters. It is a big deal.

The mad state of society is in part, a reflection of some professed Christians failing to be godly light in this dark world. People scrutinize church members and see the sexism and numerous harmful teachings. Where is the light? In various circumstances, some fail to show the love of Christ to the world.

Why would the world desire to be Christian if Christians don’t behave much better than anyone else?

What is real evidence that someone is a follower of Jesus Christ? The answer is by their love for others. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13: 35.

How is there love where there is idolization of power, selfishness, envy, gossip, false teachings, sexism, watered down sermons, spiritual, sexual, and other kinds of abuse? How is love shown through hypocrisy or self-righteousness?

Why aren’t more preachers getting right with God themselves and calling out these problems in the church?

How is it love if professed Christians fail to confront their favorite sins, but deny and cover them up to protect their own image or the image of leaders? These problems are common in various churches. This kind of problem exists particularly in some isolationist and fundamentalist churches. However, these churches are not the only ones that can be problematic.

I have lost count of the preachers and churches mishandling God’s word and the spiritual abuse and deception they are harming others with. Not all churches are like this, but far too many are.

Many people are very angry with Christians and Christianity.

The world has lots of issues that people are grappling with. People dabble into different aspects of spirituality, trying to find a solution to their problems. They search, looking to fill their void.

Some of them witness Christians being abusive, hypocritical, and self-righteous people. This does not show or spread God’s love to them. This is not showing them light in the surrounding darkness. They don’t want what Christians have if that is all we have. Can I blame them? No.

Through false doctrine, counterfeit Christianity and various types of abuse, the name of Christ is slandered. People have wrongfully brought reproach against Christianity. It makes sense to me that because Jesus is the way, Christianity is the most hated.

The fact that no church is perfect is sometimes used as an excuse and can only go so far with me.

I choose not to sit under a false teacher and abusers. Sadly, many people in cults and churches are in agreement with and spreading misogyny and other false doctrine. There are also some men and women spreading radical feminism and opposing scripture in doing so. Bible literacy and the guidance of the Holy Spirit helps people avoid these pitfalls.

I am still growing in the Lord. I’m a work in progress. I understand the need to search and study the scriptures to be sure that what someone is saying is backed by the word of God. One way I want to influence others is by praying for them. I can also influence by loving others, showing myself to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

As a Christian (though imperfect) woman, I am obligated to live in God’s truth. Jesus is the way; not someone else or something else. This means I am not to support cults and other false churches or false teachings.

My individual witness as a Christian matters for the present and the future.

I do not desire to begin another generation of brokeness by choosing to marry and create a family with a man who has not submitted himself to the righteousness of God. Living according to God’s truth and holding others close to me accountable to do the same are steps I can take to contribute positively in this life. I am glad to do so.

Among other ways, women influence the world as affirmers, enablers, and sustainers. I want to affirm only the right things. I know that it matters what I or any other woman affirms, enables, and sustains. Some women enable bad behavior in men by putting up with it.

• By marrying a religious imposter who poses as Christian, the Christian lady is opening a can of worms for sure.

The solution is that the Holy Spirit will always guide us into truth. Prayer and discernment are key.

• For every thriving cult that exists, many of them are full of women who are searching, seeking to fulfill their spiritual needs. They are preyed upon and taken advantage of.

– Jim Jones was by far not the only cult leader who had a bunch of women following and enabling him.

– Charles Manson and his group of women admirers was not the only evil man with magnetic appeal for certain women.

Observerplus, reports that 70% of global cult members are women.

Reasons described for this include the history of oppression for women. Many women are used to being oppressed in some way. The idea is that they are attracted to authoritative figures who sometimes oppress them.

Also according to the research, another reason far more women tend to join cults than men is possibly because of lower self-esteem. Reportedly, women tend to have lower self-esteem.

I understand how this can be, because often, women are made to feel less than from a young age. People with low self-esteem are susceptible to the love- bombing techniques found in cults.

Observerplus reports that women tend to value themselves based on relationships moreso than men. They are looking for that connection. Cults offer relationships and an opportunity to meet the women’s spiritual needs.

In addition, it is reported that some women have been driven from regular churches or religious settings due to abuse. Sometimes, they may end up in a cult while seeking refuge.

– This shows a lack of Bible literacy and discernment in the women. This also shows me that some women are not being protected enough by godly leaders.

– Many of the church leaders are not teaching truth, but are false teachers and power lovers who are subjugating women.

– Many are abusers who cause women to feel less than. Eventually, some of the women seek refuge somewhere else. Some wander into religious cults.

• There are women in a religious cult who are married to the cult leader. This is not at all helping the man in the way God intended for a woman to be a helper. It is helping the cult leader to continue to harm others.

– Many of these women are victims of mind control and have been indoctrinated. They likely believe they are simply serving God and fulfilling His will for them. At least, they may believe they are fuflling their spiritual needs anyway.

• Pastors who cheat on their wives are often hooking up with women in the congregation, in addition to other women outside their congregation.

• Abusive pastors are almost always married. A woman has chosen to support this kind of man and often has children with him.

– She may have chosen him because she did not know any better. However, by doing so, she is supporting and affirming him.

• Consequently, outside of a miracle and divine intervention, women in these circumstances assist in another generation and legacy of dysfunction.

I understand that some women grew up in such a way that they do not even know better than to do this. Other women simply do not want to be without a man. They may crave any kind of man; whether an authoritarian boyfriend, husband, or a charismatic leader.

I personally am obligated to do my part in obedience to the command to be godly light shining in this dark world. It matters greatly who I decide to marry, what teachings I believe and live by, and who I affirm.

Ladies, can make a difference! I want God to be glorified. My experience is that within some churches there has been a lot of pressure to conform to their false doctrine or unique interpretations. When I did not conform, I was ostracized.

• Being godly light is to reject all false doctrine and cling to God’s truth.

• It is godly to take a stand against all types of sin, including abuse.

• I must avoid becoming romantically involved with men who are not truly following Jesus Christ. I must be discerning. I need to know the word of God and His character, in order to decipher.

• My desire to please God must be greater than my desire to have a man or to please people.

I talk about women’s influence a lot. Women have great influence. A lot of what we see going on, whether good or bad is greatly influenced by the support and overall behavior of women.

How can women demand the right thing if they believe in the wrong things? I have previously stated, if there is a great demand, there typically is a great supply.

If a demand is low, the supply will be low. Therefore, there is a deficit of decent men and authentic godly men.

First, this is because of sin. Some professed Christian women influence this by not keeping God first. Some have not required their men to be godly in order to date or marry them. Some will attend a church and sit up under a false teacher.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for some women to have bad judgment and to choose their spouse accordingly. Nobody is born having the best judgment. We learn through experience, mentors, and hopefully, for those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ, we learn mostly from the Bible.

In cases of bad judgment, the problem is not just about there being a lack of decent men. It is also because some women are (often unwittingly) choosing to be with the men who are not good for them. At the same time, they are not giving men who are a better option a chance.

There are many false teachers. They wouldn’t be able to thrive and be false teachers if people didn’t support them by being their students and followers.

Why would a person who is Bible literate follow false teachers? They wouldn’t, or at least they certainly shouldn’t. Many women fill the false teacher’s churches and support them. Yes, there are men in these churches as well.

I understand that God did not create me to assist others in rebellion against God.

Women have sway. It helps a lot when women are not in agreement with evil. It helps change the trajectory when women are not enabling the bad, but enabling what is right. In order to do this, we must be in truth.

I am aware that sadly, in some parts of the world, women are too oppressed to outwardly and properly oppose evil. I know that in general, some other women simply do not know any better.

This is why I find it so important to care and share the truth with others when given opportunity. America is a land of opportunity and it is good to be able to utilize this advantage for ourselves and the benefit of others.

There are reasons for some ladies having poor judgment and settling for less. Many girls and young ladies were not given the knowledge they needed in order to make more wise decisions. Through various influencers, plenty women were conditioned to idolize men and marriage.

This goes all the way back to early Biblical times. Women were considered property and validated by birthing their husbands sons. Even in the present, I have had family and friends who were of similar mindset that the end all is to get married and have children.

When I was much younger, I also looked to men for validation. Aspects of this wrong thinking have affected and afflicted women from the past until the present. However, many women today are gaining wisdom and making much better decisions. Marriage and family are wonderful under the right circumstances.

The truth sets us free. Once God’s truth is known, it is good not to settle for less than His way and His will. If something is not righteous, it should be rejected. I am acknowledging the significant sway that women have. This is a good thing when it is used properly.

I do not blame women for the world’s problems. People are responsible as individuals. However, women have great influential power that should be used very wisely.