Who told you that you were naked?

This question gives the impression that someone did not have any previous knowledge of their nakedness but, was provided with this information.

Throughout the ages, women have been blamed, either deliberately or subconsciously, for every act of violence against them in the home, workplace and the society as a whole.

Many of these women have borne their pain and suffering in shameful silence because of fear. Afraid of being victimized, criticized and stigmatized.

A woman who had been viciously raped of her self-esteem, dignity, and self-respect not only have to suffer the physical and emotional trauma, but they are forced to endure the disgrace from a society who somehow blame her for this cruel act against her.

“What does she expect if she keeps wearing those tight jeans and those outrageous tops exposing her flesh,” is an example of the offensive statements that are whispered and gossiped about these victims.

While I am not condoning the wearing of skimpy garments on the street, it still does not give a man the right to physically abuse any woman, even if they are wearing next to nothing, to appease his lustful desires.

Likewise, ladies who are the object of sexual harassment in the workplace are sometimes regarded as flirts. They are castigated because of their physical appearance.

In the marital home, a wife who is verbally and physically abused by her husband somehow becomes the instigator. She is blamed for provoking her husband to wrath.

Sadly, many of the accusers or blamers of these victims are women.

Some of these ladies have been victims of violence, but because they carried their burden in silence, they expect others to do the same.

While others felt the need to disassociate themselves from these crimes and pretend they don’t exist.

How does Christ treat women?

During Christ’s ministry on earth, He had many interactions with the ladies where He either healed or delivered them.

After these ladies had an encounter with Christ, none of them remained the same. He spoke life into the woman at the well by showing her that she was worth more than a man’s possession.

Christ did not condemn the adulterous woman. Instead, He exposed the hidden sins of her accusers.

However, many church organizations have been silently degrading women due to their lack of wisdom regarding the Word of God.

Thus, certain scriptures are misinterpreted to justify the abuse of women.

Popular Misunderstood Scriptures

• The Controlling Husband

The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.

Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment. (1 Corinthians 7:4-6)

The above scripture has been interpreted to mean that the husband controls his wife’s body, so she no longer has any rights to her own body.

Therefore, she cannot refuse to have sex with her husband, and if he forces her, it is not considered rape.

Does this verse encourage rape in marriage? How do wives feel if they are subjected to this situation?

Two words immediately come to my mind – fearful and ashamed.

Consider this: the wife has rights to her body but loses it only when she has consensual sex. Thus, her body belongs to her husband at that point.

• The Submissive Woman

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.  

Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her. (Ephesians 5:22-25)

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. (Colossians 3:18-19)

Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear (1 Peter 3:1-2)

These are some of the most hotly debated scriptures in the Bible. Most men take the stand that women must be submissive in every situation and have used these scriptures as a weapon against their wives.

A woman with a dictatorship husband will eventually lose her sense of value. She will become helpless and totally dependent on her husband.

Should the wife submit to every foolish decision that her husband make? A man can lead his family to death or life.

Consider the story of Abigail and Nabal; and Ananias and Sapphira (1 Samuel 25; Acts 5).

• The Silent Woman

Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. (1 Corinthians 14:34-35)

Some churches have “doctrinized” this verse. Hence, ladies are not allowed to hold any office or positions in the church neither can they pray, testify or preach.

They are only permitted to sing in front of the congregation. Anything else must be done at women’s meeting, or the message is delivered through their husband.

What if you do not have a husband? Well, too bad!

I grew up in one of these churches and even though I am a quiet person I often felt stifled, helpless and insignificant until I finally left.

• The Weak Woman

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. (1 Peter 3:7)

What is the meaning of weak in the above verse? Does it mean frail, feeble, puny, unprotected, defenseless, vulnerable, cowardly, exposed and insubstantial?

Or does weak in the above verse means fragile, delicate, elegant, refined, attractive and nice?

How does God see you?

Consider this verse: You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14). Read: Deadly Influence

• The Undefiled Bed

Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled, but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. (Hebrews 13:4)

This verse is often interpreted to mean that any form of sexual act whether decent or questionable including pornography is permissible within the context of marriage because the marital bed is undefiled.

Thus, many young virgins become victims of their husbands past lascivious lifestyles. These perverted behaviors in the bedroom often caused the innocent wives to feel exposed, filthy, degraded and ashamed.

Consider this: An honorable marriage produce an unsullied bed because a husband who is filled with the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ will present his wife holy to the Lord especially during intimate moments (Ephesians 5:25-30).

The bed will remain undefiled until you defile it with your perverted thoughts and behavior.

All of the above scriptures, when enforced incorrectly, will encourage shamefulness, disgust, exposure, defenselessness, and helplessness in the mind of the victims.

If these practices and beliefs continue in the church, it will drive away many genuine Christians and prevent unsaved from entering the Kingdom of God.

What Does the Above Information Have to Do With Nakedness?

Everything!

According to the Concise English dictionary and dictionary.com, nakedness means without clothes, defenseless, unsheathed, plain, undisguised, unprotected, uncovered, simple, helpless, vulnerable, devoid, barren, destitute, bare, stripped.

These are similar emotions that women feel when scriptures from the Bible are misused against them.

God created Adam and Eve and gave them a home in the Garden. They were given the mandate to be fruitful, replenish, control and multiply.

They were created in beauty and holiness, so they found pleasure in every aspect of their relationship. They were naked but not ashamed because they were covered with the glory of God.

Then came the serpent…..

The serpent deliberately and spitefully informed the couple that they were unclothed, destitute and exposed.

As a result, Adam and Eve felt helpless, ugly, and disgusting, thus instilling feelings of shame and worthlessness. They received Satan’s perverted knowledge of nakedness, and their marital bed became defiled.

Consequently, the couple scrambled fearfully to find the biggest leaves that could cover their nakedness and they hid from the presence of God.

Imagine, a leaf! What good could a flimsy leaf do? But, they could no longer think rationally because Satan had corrupted their wisdom and they became foolish.

A concerned but merciful God searched for the couple and found them hiding from Him. God called the man – the husband, the leader.

“Adam, where are you?”

Adam replied fearfully, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, and I hid myself.”

“Who told you that you were naked?” asked their Creator.

Obviously, the couple was not aware that they were physically naked because the love, holiness, and beauty of God from the tree of life were their covering.

The Lord continued, “Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” (Genesis 3:11)

Yes! They sat at the feet of the serpent and feasted on the fruits of lies and nakedness, and they became contaminated.

Satan is still feeding the Church with the knowledge of nakedness, and many are feasting on this false information because their hearts are far from God.

“Return o’ backsliding Church because I am married to you,” said the Lord.

We need to return to God and allow Him to clothe us in righteousness and truth.

Let us return to the beginning where we were naked (devoid of sin) and not ashamed to live the truth of God’s Word.

How do you view the above scripture verses? Can you tell us about other scriptures that have been misinterpreted? Do you think women are abused in the churches?

We are looking forward to hearing from you.