Misogyny Curse

Misogyny is defined as dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women. It comes from the Greek words misos (hatred) and gyne (woman). Misogyny is not just the dislike of or contempt for women. It is also the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving of scorn. Most often, we become guilty of misogyny because of ingrained prejudice, a preconceived opinion about women that may or may not include a dislike for some aspect of the gender, even if it isn’t based on reason or actual experience.

Chauvinism is the belief in male supremacy and is one aspect of misogyny. This includes the belief that women are inherently less critical than men.

Misogyny Curse and Women

Women can also fall victim to this curse if their ancestors were misogynistic. It is easy to see the connection when a woman thinks only a man can do this or that, such as a pastor or prophet. It is rare, but this does happen.

Gender-related curses can have the opposite effect on the genders. A misogyny or chauvinistic curse can cause women in that family line to be feminists. The well-known movement began with good intentions because women were seen as inferior to men in all aspects. Women didn’t have the same rights as men. Correcting this viewpoint is good. However, claiming that men and women are equal in all aspects is neither accurate nor possible.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28 ESV)

Men and women are equal in God’s eyes, even though God created us with differences. I’m not a biologist, yet even I recognize that there are some basic differences between men and women. Men typically have greater upper-body strength and higher testosterone levels. Women produce milk for babies, and estrogen influences emotions, heightening maternal instincts. Despite their differences, men and women are equal.

Mansplaining

Mansplaining is a term women have coined to describe how they feel when a man explains something to them. Women suffering from a Misogyny/chauvinism curse will often have a hard time accepting correction or instruction from men. Having a man explain something is like nails on a chalkboard or just an irritation we have to fight. In more severe cases, women can be troubled by unreasonable anger when men teach or explain things to them. If you are constantly battling irritations and/or anger when men explain things to you, then it may be a curse of misogyny!

The Root

All of these sins have a common root: Pride. This is often the root of many sins. When one person or gender thinks they are better than another person or the other gender, they are judging that segment harshly. We discount people because of some sort of bias.

Many of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen who were unlearned and unschooled. It was the pride of the Pharisees that caused them to look dismissively at those whom God empowered. The church is making that same mistake today!

Misinterpreting scriptures without considering the context and time in which they were spoken has led to misogyny within the church itself. The following materials are taken from Paul’s letters to the churches. Let us examine the historical background of the two cities where the churches were located.

Ephesus

Paul sent instructions to Timothy when he was ministering to the body in Ephesus. The Greek city was famous for worshipping a goddess named Artemis. She was associated with childbirth, fertility, and hunting. This goddess was referred to by the Romans as Diana, the Egyptians as Isis, the Hindus as Bhadra, etc. One of the ways this demon was worshipped in Ephesus was that women would gather their hair in a ribbon to imitate this entity, since it was known for having that type of hairstyle. Hence, this instruction in First Timothy:

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided (braided) hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. (1 Timothy 2:9-10)

Timothy was a disciple of Paul and worked with a church in the city of Ephesus. Paul advised this young, new leader concerning women that they are to separate themselves from the city’s pagan practices. These were consistent with God’s initial instructions to His people:

You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. (Leviticus 18:3 ESV)

Many customs and traditions are based on the worship of other gods. Gentiles were unfamiliar to God’s ways and needed to be instructed to refrain from engaging in behaviors associated with the worship of the demon posing as a goddess. Women would arrange their hair according to the style prescribed by cultural norms in Ephesus. Christian women were to be holy before God and were not to do this.

When they heard this, they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”(Acts 19:28)

Artemis’ influence was apparent, infiltrating the very fabric of Ephesus’ culture. The temple built in honor of the goddess was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. People were devoted to her, and her influence sparked fervor in the city. According to this chapter of Acts, the crowd shouted their admiration for the goddess for two hours after becoming enraged at the disciples’ teachings urging Christians to remove idols from their lives.

The Ephesian society was passionate and fervently devoted to this demon. Since this was a female goddess, women would have had a primary role in pagan gatherings, which is why Paul instructed Timothy on women’s behavior in the church.

Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:11-12 NKJV)

If taken at face value, this would be an extremely misogynistic comment. Women cannot teach or even speak? We know God doesn’t consider women less than men. The women of Israel were judges and prophets who taught and led men, even into battle. This statement also directly conflicts with Paul’s words to the Galatians about there being no male or female in Christ (Galatians 3:28).We must also consider the phrase, “I permit” meaning this was his decision for this time and place, not a new law from God.

In the same way you married men should live considerately with [your wives], with an intelligent recognition [of the marriage relation], honoring the woman as [physically] the weaker, but [realizing that you] are joint heirs of the grace (God’s unmerited favor) of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered and cut off. (1 Peter 3:7 AMPC)

In godly matters, men and women are equals. So there must be something else we need to consider in Paul’s remarks to Timothy. The same Greek word gynē (goo-nay’), defined as “a woman; especially, a wife,” is used with the Greek word anēr (ä-nay-er), which can be translated as both man and husband.

Timothy could be addressing how wives should interact with their husbands in public meetings. How do we know which word to use, wife or woman? Let’s look at the next verse:

For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. (1 Timothy 2:13-14 ESV)

The scriptures that follow speak about Adam and Eve, the original husband and wife, clearly demonstrating that this is about the personal relationship of man and wife, not about leading a congregation. It wouldn’t be right for a wife to speak up in a meeting and try to “teach” her husband something in front of everyone. This is not honoring. It is very disrespectful. Let’s look at that verse with these things in mind:

But I suffer not a woman (wife) to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man (husband), but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:12 KJV)

The topic was how a wife should conduct herself with her husband in meetings. Goddess rituals were loud, pushy affairs. Women of this particular time and place were used to being led by loudness to honor their husbands by showing them reverence by their silence in public. Most importantly, wives shouldn’t try to teach their husbands anything in these meetings.

Saved Through Childbearing?

Paul closes this topic about women’s behavior that is so contrary to God’s Word, that we know it has to have a different meaning.

Women, however, will be saved through childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control. (1 Timothy 2:15 ESV)

Women are saved through childbearing? Aren’t we saved through our faith in Jesus? Taken at face value, this scripture would seem to say that accepting Jesus as Lord isn’t enough for a woman to be saved; they must have children. This certainly cannot be right! The Word will never contradict itself, so we must investigate this more thoroughly.

“Saved” is from the Greek word sozo, meaning to keep safe and sound, rescued from danger and destruction, to preserve from danger.

But women will be preserved through childbirth—if they continue in faith, love, and sanctity, with moderation. (1 Timothy 2:15 NASB)

Why would Paul mention that women could be preserved while going through childbirth? This is a few verses after the mention of the braided hair, so it too is related to the goddess in Ephesus, so let’s look at that culture.

Artemis was worshiped as having the ability to bring women through childbirth in two ways: either she helped them by safely delivering the child, or she shot them with fiery arrows to put the delivering mother out of her agony. Women could labor for days and often died during childbirth. Artemis was seen as the savior of such women.

Paul’s words here were not at all misogynistic. He was saying, ‘Christian women shall be saved by a different deliverer.” This Deliverer is the One and Only True God. He wanted the women to adhere to and rely on God in all ways, coming apart from traditions and attitudes linking them to the goddess they used to worship.

Paul lists four things that will ensure God’s deliverance through childbirth:

1. Faith! This means having faith in God and not in Artemis.

2. Love, with the Agape love. Not Eros or Philadelphia. When women demonstrate that type of love, they will naturally respect and honor their husbands, especially in public meetings.

3. Holiness: consecration, sanctification, purification, and living a life that is set apart from the cultural norm for women.

4. Self-control: The Greek word sophrosyne is used as the final word on this topic. It means soundness of mind, sobriety, and self-control.

Essentially, through Timothy, Paul was telling the women in Ephesus, “When you are ready to give birth, have faith and trust in God, love one another, set yourself apart from what other non-Christians or wavering Christians are doing in the society around you, and in all these, be sound in your mind, and control yourselves.”

In Paul's words to Timothy, we do not find a trace of misogyny. Rather, his words radiate an essence of genuine concern and thoughtful guidance. In 1 Timothy 2, the ninth scripture speaks about practices concerning the goddess of that time and place as does the fifteenth verse. Everything in between are in reference to those worshipping the goddess of that time and place. Paul even uses the phrase “I will” meaning it is what he is doing at the time. He never says that God says these things. His words are designed to offer the women of Ephesus guidance and support as they navigate the turbulent cultural anxieties surrounding them.

Corinth

The spiritual deity over Corinth was Aphrodite. Corinth was known as the dwelling place of this demonic god; it was called Aphrodite’s city. The landscape was adorned with multiple temples, dedicated to this being, and among them was Acrocorinth, built in the 5th century BC. Historians reported that at some point, the temple of Aphrodite had more than a thousand prostitutes. In Corinth, the pagan practices included sacred prostitution, sacred servanthood, public rituals, and purchasing and keeping artifacts.

Paul’s other Letter

In a letter to the church in Corinth, Paul writes a “responsa.” At the time this was written, Rabbis, such as Paul, would receive questions about God and His ways. The Rabbi would then write a letter answering that question. These letters would often repeat the questions that were asked because the answer would arrive months later. One of the examples of this is here:

In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers. (1 Corinthians 14:21-22 ESV Strongs)

The people asking the questions are quoting the Law, what we call the Old Testament. They are using it to say that speaking in tongues is a sign for unbelievers. This is not right. Paul’s answer directly follows the question and can be easy to miss:

If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all prophesy and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you. (1 Corinthians 14:23-25 ESV Strongs)

Paul answers their statement with a question showing that what they are saying makes no sense. Later in the same chapter, this group asks about dealing with women dominating men:

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted to them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also said the law. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. (1 Corinthians 14:34-35 AKJV)

The Talmud or the Mishnah, a record of oral law and traditions, are full of examples of women who regularly participated in prayer in public, by either reading from the Torah or listening to a sermon in the synagogue or study house. There is no law about women being silent. Paul was a Pharisee before he became a disciple of Jesus; he would never state something that contradicted the Law. Again, he responds with a question:

What? Came the word of God out from you? Or came it to you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. (1 Corinthians 14:36-37 AKJV)

The response begins with a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms. Many versions of the Bible don’t include the word “what” in them, choosing the word “or” instead. This is a very important difference because what is said is a strong rebuke.

Paul literally says, “What?” as in, “This information makes no sense.” Then he expounds: “Did you get a new revelation from God like a prophet? Was it given only to you?” It is clear that this was one church’s idea of what should happen, and Paul was not in agreement with it.

Stating “any man THINK himself to be” shows that Paul doubts very seriously that this is a new prophetic word from God. It is very clear that the prior statements are far outside what God has taught His people. Paul instructed the Romans to help Phoebe, a female deaconess, in her ministry!

The attitude of women not being able to speak up in church is taking one gender and placing them beneath another gender. It is misogyny. It is not God’s way.

Satan is trying to keep half of the body of Christ silent. It is a “divide and conquer” tactic. If that old serpent can get us separated, his battle is easier.

No Partiality with God

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. (Galatians 3:28 ESV)

but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God. (Romans 2:10-11 ESV)

God does not show partiality. He does not favor one race or one gender over another. The very first evangelist was a woman.

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (John 20:17 ESV)

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. (John 20:18 ESV)

It was to a woman that Jesus first appeared. He sent that woman to correct the men, to teach them. She was to remind them of what Jesus had said about rising on the third day. If Jesus told a woman to bring correction and instruction to men, who are we to say that women cannot teach?

God Worked through Women in the Bible

• Phoebe: Romans 16:1-2, Paul refers to Phoebe as a "servant" or "deacon" of the church.

• Priscilla: Acts 18:26

• Samaritan woman at the well: John 4

• Mary Magdalene: John 20

• Deborah (Judges 4 and 5), Esther (Book of Esther), etc.

Ephesus Church: Lovelessness

Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. (Revelation 2:4 ESV)

The Lord Jesus reminded the Ephesians that they had drifted away from their first love—the fervent devotion they once had for Him. Among the seven churches, they stood out as the Loveless Church, a reminder of the coldness that had entered their hearts, overshadowing the vibrant love in their faith and leading them to lovelessness.

 We also read in the Word that husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the Church, and wives are to respect their husbands. Where do we find this instruction? Not surprisingly, it is in the letter to the Ephesians.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. (Ephesians 5:25-29 ESV)

However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (Ephesians 5:33 ESV)

These were the main issues between men and women in Ephesus. Men became loveless towards their wives, so much so that they had to be reminded to love their wives. They are to love their wives as Christ loves the Church, and wives are to respect their husbands. However, under the influence of cultural habits and customs influenced by this spirit, lovelessness became a norm. It collectively influenced the love the Ephesian Church had for their first love, Jesus Christ.

Women became disrespectful towards their husbands, so much so that they had to be reminded to be respectful of their husbands, especially in public meetings. When a husband shows love to his wife and the wife shows respect to her husband, love dwells in the home. The home is love-filled, not loveless. Their actions and words are filled with care, and these naturally impact their love for their first love, Jesus Christ.

Submissive Wives

Let us not forget what Paul said just before this, which has also been misapplied. The Gentile women in Ephesus didn’t know God’s ways and needed to understand God’s organizational structure for a family, which Paul had mentioned in his letter to Timothy. After Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, God cursed both of them. Here was the woman’s curse:

To the woman He said: “I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” (Genesis 3:16 AKJV)

Women will have a hunger and craving for men, but women’s punishment for being the first to eat the forbidden fruit is to be ruled over by that which we desire. There can only be one leader within the family, and that is the husband. Paul is trying to make the new converts aware of God’s ways:

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. (Ephesians 5:22-24 KJV)

According to Strong’s G5293, the word translated as “submit” means “to submit to one's control.” It is a voluntary action when a decision is made. The definition of submit is to accept or yield to the authority or will of another person.

This is not the same thing as being “submissive.” That is an adjective describing a personality. According to the dictionary, it means ready to conform to the authority or will of others; meekly obedient or passive. This is not what God expects of a wife. It would make a wife “less than” a husband when we are equal in God’s eyes. It allows pride to come in as one person’s opinion is not looked for or considered.

Paul said to submit to the husbands as the church submits to Jesus. How did His disciples submit to Him? They asked questions. On several occasions, Peter even questioned His decisions; even so, Peter walked in an anointing so strong that those within a shadow’s distance were healed. Unlike Jesus, a husband isn’t all-knowing, so it is important to use all that God has given you:

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” (Genesis 2:18 ESV)

After saying these words, God brought every animal before Adam, and none were suitable. Finally, God made a woman from half of Adam. Women are made and designed to be “helpers” to husbands. How can a wife help if she doesn’t contribute to the decisions? If a husband is going the wrong way and the wife remains silent, then she has been no help at all.

Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart… (Ephesians 6:5-6 ESV)

A bondservant has a master to whom they don’t merely submit to; they obey what is said even when the master isn’t present. When a master says “jump,” the servant only replies, “How high?” If a husband expects a wife to obey what he says without contributing, discussing, and even respectfully questioning the decision, he is desiring a slave, not a wife. This is not what God intended. Even the President has “advisors” who are expected to question his decisions respectfully.

Paul concludes his discussion on marriage with these words:

However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly]. (Ephesians 5:33 AMPC)

The new Gentile wives needed to be told to honor and esteem their husbands. Husbands need our praise to know we appreciate them. Every day, we choose to submit our will to theirs and let them lead the house! However, wives can and should share their desires, questions, and thoughts while respectfully advising them.

Misogyny

Misogyny is a brokenness in the balance of the love equation between men and women in general and a husband and his wife in particular. This becomes leveraged by spirits that are active behind this evil behavior, which can be passed down from one generation to the next. This behavior is continued through habits, words, customs, practices, opinions, and/or ungodly perspectives.

The Word of God warns husbands about how they treat their wives:

In the same way you married men should live considerately with [your wives], with an intelligent recognition [of the marriage relation], honoring the woman as [physically] the weaker, but [realizing that you] are joint heirs of the grace (God’s unmerited favor) of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered and cut off. [Otherwise you cannot pray effectively.] (1 Peter 3:7 AMPC)

Our wives are joint heirs with us and are the other half of our lives. We should honor them, or we could be hindered by God. If we expect our wives to obey what we say without presenting a different point of view, how is that honoring them?

I, Henri, grew up in a society where women were often regarded as second-class citizens. Behaviors, practices, and expressions were influenced by misogyny. Boys and men were treated differently from girls and women, which caused some women to develop anger and resentment towards men as a result of the ongoing mistreatment they received.

Growing up in a male-dominated environment can impact individuals in ways they may not realize. It can foster a sense of entitlement, a lack of sensitivity to the hardships that women endure, a lack of or shortage of gratitude, and an expectation of preferential treatment simply because one is male. When men’s expectations are not fulfilled, they may become angry and retaliate, while women who witness this may feel victimized.

As we've previously discussed, all these factors are connected to pride. Recognizing the influence of society and our environment is a crucial first step. Remember, as stated in First Peter:

knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, (1 Peter 1:18 ESV)

I had to confess before the Lord that I had walked under such harmful influences to see improvement in my marriage. I recognized that both my ancestors and I had caved to these evil influences, speaking words and taking actions that aligned with the spirit of misogyny and its associated spirits. I repented of their influences and sought the cleansing power of the Blood of the Lamb to become free and begin a journey of improvement.

We encourage and invite you to do the same. The Lord, our Good Shepherd, has so much to offer His flock. He can encourage us through one another, regardless of whether we are male or female: He can teach us, instruct us, protect us, and communicate with us in ways tailored to our circumstances because He knows us and loves us all equally.

Call to Action Against Misogyny

‘Me first, because I’m a man,’ or ‘Me, because I’m a man.’

• Confess

• Repent

• Renounce the spirit

• Plead the Blood

• Break soul ties