There’s an interesting new book out titled “Women, God’s Secret Weapon.”  I think the author is trying to promote the value of women in ministry, but I am interested in his use of the word “weapon.”  In our media saturated world it is important to choose words that communicate clearly and it seems to me that too many in the church already view women in that particular way; dangerous, untamed, in need of control. 

Recently I had the opportunity to write about this in Prison Fellowship’s Breakpoint magazine. My premise is that rather than a secret weapon,  women are God’s most neglected resource. Thankfully today I believe that the church is awakening to the valuable influence of women in ministry and opening doors to train them and to extend the gospel message through them in a much broader way.

Nevertheless, as this begins to happen, it is important that we as women not “take up arms” to achieve opportunity but rather win a hearing with the gentle and quiet spirit described in I Peter 3:4. 

I take the definition of a quiet spirit to be a spirit of resting confidence in God not as is sometimes interpreted never saying a word.  That concept is captured well, I think,in the NET bible translation using the word tranquil for quiet…”but the inner person of the heart, the lasting beauty of a gentle and tranquil spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.”  When we allow God to be the one who opens doors of ministry we can rest with a tranquil spirit and anticipate His promotion.  We can become His witnesses not weapons.