Protecting the Vulnerable

(Image courtesy of http://www.voiceindesert.com.)

Pretty girls, regardless many times of age, receive countless remarks regarding their bodies.  Many times, they do not understand why men are giving them this attention because the girls are too young to understand sexuality.  This leads to confusion and even embarrassment at times.  "I just want to fit in," a pretty girl might think to herself.  "Why do these guys keep staring at me?  Why do they keep trying to touch me?"

I have heard several stories from girls about the confusion they struggled with as young girls and young adolescents simply because they received unwanted attention from men.

Girls attract unwanted attention from guys because they are
visually desirable.  There are certain bodily parts that draw almost immediate attention from boys.  It is important for younger girls to understand this so they are not confused by unwanted attention.  But it's not bad that a young girl is changing.  Their body is undergoing natural changes to become an adult.  Yet, girls need to be aware of the attention their changing bodies will undoubtedly bring.

If a boy, regardless of age, makes you uncomfortable with either his words or his actions, then trust your intuition.  It is sin that he is partaking in.  You, however, are not the cause of this sin.  You look the way you look because God made you that way, incredibly special and intricately created by Him with love.  The boy is the one is giving into sin.  If you are dressing modestly, the sin in his mind is his fault, not yours.  Be confident, girls, knowing that.

It is important for girls to be aware that most of the world is perishing.  "Broad is the way that leads to destruction, but narrow is the path that leads to eternal life and their are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14).  Therefore, be careful where your attention comes from, girls.  Protect yourself.  It is natural to want attention from boys - that's how you were created.  But be patient.  Don't give into pressures later on for lust or sex, but stand firm in obedience to Christ.  He has the man He chose for you.  Trust Him and don't give into the fear that you will be single forever and never know the love of a man.  Trust God and wait for His timing.  Your prince will come.  Or he may never come.  Regardless, your life is God's and He will "work all things together for the good of those who love Him" (Romans 8:28).  Trust God and grow deeper in your relationship with Him.

Undoubtedly, the feminist would read even the title of this article and already become enraged.  Why?  Because girls are not vulnerable, according to the feminist perspective.  She is just as capable as a man to make her own way in the world and to be just as powerful as a man.  But the Bible teaches something different.

In the book of Ruth, we see an extraordinary and almost unbelievable love story.  Naomi was married to Elimelech and together they had two sons.  Each of their sons was married, Ruth being one of the wives.  But Elimelech along with his sons all died in a period of about ten years.  Husband-less, Naomi and Ruth, returned to Naomi's people to seek help, while Naomi's other daughter-in-law returned to her own people.

One day, back in Naomi's homeland, Ruth went out into the grain fields to glean (to pick up the left over grain lying in the field that the harvesters missed).  Ruth immediately found favor among a rich farmer named Boaz who called his servants together and inquired about her.  Boaz called all the servants together and told them not to harm her.  He even invited her to eat with him at lunch time in his tent.  Boaz took great care to provide her with extra grain and invited her back the next day.  In the end, Boaz becomes her kinsman-redeemer, marrying her and taking care of her.

From this story, we can see that females are indeed vulnerable without a male to provide for them and protect them.  This is not degrading toward women at all, but instead a standard set up by God at Creation.  Eve would be the helper to the Adam, and Adam would provide for her protection, food, and companionship, among other things.  Boaz, as the man, equally sought to protect Ruth.  Jesus did the same when He showed mercy to the woman who was caught in the act of adultery and the people threatened to stone her.  "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone," He said.  Needless to say, the people left in embarrassment.  "Go, and sin no more," Jesus then compassionately said to her.

God wants women to be liberated, freed from bondage, and to be protected from wicked men who seek only their own self-gratification.  Men of God, "stand up and fight for those who cannot fight for themselves!" (Proverbs 31:8-9).  "Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you!" (Joshua 1:9).

Fathers, it is your responsibility to take care of your daughters (as well as your sons).  This may mean having uncomfortable, confrontational moments with other men.  It may even mean wearing a black eye for having stepped into a situation where a woman is being mistreated.  But God has called you, oh man, to protect and to provide your wife and your children.

If you witness a girl receiving unwanted comments or uncalled for touching (i.e. pulling hair, pinching butt), step in and ask, "Do you like him doing that to you?"  Most likely she will not say no, but if she gives an unsure response, the answer is no.  Then, speak up and demand that the assailant stop harassing her.

It's time to speak the truth.  It's time to stop accepting the ways of the world as we sit defeated in our churches week after week.  The Spirit of the Living God is at work in you, oh Believer!  Step out in faith and take a stand for the truth of Jesus Christ today!


"The devil comes only to kill, steal, and destroy.  But I have come that you may have life - and have it to the full!" (John 10:10).