The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed by Anjela Paje of Spokane, WA, from the tape, GC 1301-W, titled "Bible Questions and Answers Part 25." A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE. ©1983. All Rights Reserved.
Questioner
A woman that I know talked to me about a situation where she rebuked a
man. And, she was told by her Bible Study leader that that was inappropriate.
Now, I think, in looking in Matthew 18, there’s no gender involved in there.
Now, I want to know is it proper for a woman to be able to rebuke a man, and is
it also proper for a woman to rebuke her husband?
John MacArthur's Answer
I’ve been rebuked by all the women in my life! (laughter) (clapping) And, you
want to know the truth? I thank God for that. I think there is a way, and a
place, and a time, and a right woman who can speak those kinds of things. Yes. I
don’t think that marriage is a deal where women can’t tell there husband where
they ought to be told. I think it’s a very perfect environment for doing that.
How else can God make a woman a perfect help-mate, if she’s not willing to tell
the guy where he needs help? (laughter) (clapping) A lot of women were clapping,
(John laughs) less men, but you see, that’s an overstatement, and you need, in a
loving way, just as a husband needs to rebuke his wife in a loving way. But,
that is very, very, very important, very, very important.
My wife and I were talking recently about the fact that, God had us for each
other, and one of the reasons that he had us for each other is because we are
strength to each other’s weakness. And, I hear from her the things I need to
hear. And, I hope, she hears, once in awhile from me, the things she needs to
hear, too. I would never want it any different than that. Some of the times, I
don’t want to hear the things I’m suppose to hear, but there’s a sense in which
when you marry that right person, or, you have women in your life who are
spiritually mature, who can deal with things in love, that those kinds of
situations are right, and God will express His desire through a woman to a man,
if it’s done right, in the right spirit.
Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur's Questions and
Answers" by:
Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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