A Woman of Influence

The power of a woman.


A woman has a lot of power over a man, and if she isn’t a godly woman, she can use that power to manipulate and control the man. This will backfire though given time because people don’t like to be manipulated.

I’m studying Matthew 14 leading up to the story of Jesus walking on the water, and Herodias is committing adultery with her brother-in-law Herod. John the Baptist has called them on it, and she hates it. How do you feel when someone points out your sin? Have you ever had anyone confront you about a sin in your life that you would prefer that stay out of? Did it make you mad? It did Herodias. It crawled all over her. Herodias had influence. She had worked her way into her brother-n-law’s bed and continued living in this sin. Ladies, whether you are single, married, divorced, widow, God intends you to be pure. He intended you to be with your husband alone. Being in another man’s bed is NOT acceptable. Yep, I’m calling you out. If you know me at all, I don’t typically sugar coat.

Herodias was a woman of influence. She knew Herod’s birthday party was coming up. Don’t you know that she planned to have her daughter dance this exotic dance in order to win favor with the Herod? We know this because according to Matthew, her daughter had been instructed prior to her dance to get an oath from Herod, and when he asks what the daughter would like, Herodias instructed her daughter to ask for John the Baptist’s head on a platter.

A woman of influence was Herodias. I didn’t say it was a good influence, did I? She manipulated not only men but her daughter as well. She was training her daughter in how to treat men, how to work men. What are you teaching your children by your influence whether it is by word or deed they are watching and listening?

Herod being the spineless, little man that he was bowed to Herodias. Who do you think wore the pants in that relationship? He may have worn them, but she obviously told him which ones to wear. Some may say that Herodias was John the Baptist’s nemesis, but the Bible says in Ephesians 6:12, For we battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. Herodias was Satan’s handmaiden. She allowed him to use her and manipulate her, just like she used and manipulated Herod.

Look at how you’re living. Are you a woman scorned? Has anyone had to call you on the rug for anything? How did you respond? Hebrews 12:10-11 says, Our fathers disciplines us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

When you are confronted by someone about your sin, consider your actions. God will discipline you one way or another. Just sayin’.