Woman and Her Influence

Being an influencer has become a trend in our generation, but the real question remains: what underlying agenda is being advanced through your influence?

Studying the women in the bible, we observe a remarkable, God-given capacity for women to influence and contribute in the establishment of God’s agenda on Earth. Notwithstanding, we also noticed that where this ability to influence is not nurtured and submitted to God’s will, it is manipulated by the devil and used to influence satanic agendas on the earth.

In our previous article, Woman and her influence and Godly women of influence, we examined the lives of several biblical women who, by yielding to God, effectively utilized their influence to advance His divine agenda. In contrast, we also highlighted instances where other women, not aligned with God’s will, became instruments of destruction in the hands of the devil. In this writeup, we will focus on the biblical figure of Deborah, We will explore the traits of a woman who influences in accordance with God’s design, drawing valuable lessons from her life and character.

Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. (Judges 4:4)

Deborah was a Prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth and a judge in Israel. Prophetess insinuates she had a relationship with God, she was a worshipper who heard and obeyed God). The wife of Lapidoth insinuates She was a good wife. This talks a lot about her character- a wife of noble character- the kind of wife described in proverbs 31:10-31 and being a judge insinuates she was greatly talented and used her skills to serve her community. In her days, the Israelites had sinned against the Lord and He sold them out to King Jabin of Canaan and the Isrealites were oppressed for twenty years. The Israelites cried out to God for help. Deborah yielded to God’s call and told Barak, the commander of Israel’s army to go and fight king Jabin’s army led by Sisera according to God’s command. Barak insisted for Deborah to accompany them to war. Deborah influenced and encouraged Barak with the words of victory over Sisera which the Lord had revealed to her. Barak pursued the army of Sisera, the Lord routed all Sisera’s army by the sword and all Sisera’s troops were killed (Judges 4 & 5). Outstanding in Deborah’s leadership was her willingness to yield to God’s call, depended on God’s strength and ascribed all Glory to God.

What traits do we see DEBORAH possessed that made her a great woman used by God to influence the manifestation of God’s will for the liberation of Israel?

An intimate relationship with God.

Deborah is introduced as a Prophetess A prophet is one who is Divinely inspired to speak God’s will, bringing God’s word to His people. Being a prophet speaks volumes about the depths of Deborah’s relationship with God. In our human relationships, we talk with people but reveal our deep secrets to those we have an intimate relationship with. If Deborah brought God’s word to his people, this means she had an intimate relationship with God such that God could reveal to her deep secrets of Nations. The good news is God has called us all to an intimate relationship with Him through Jesus Christ, such that He can reveal Himself and His Divine agenda to us, and through us God can influence the manifestation of His will on the earth.

“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women,I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke”.(Acts 2:17-19)

Woman of Virtuous Character.

Deborah was introduced as the wife of Lapidoth and she attested rising as Mother over Israel to influence and work for the liberation of Israel. The qualities of being a wife of Lapidoth and mother speaks a lot about the character of Deborah being loving, submissive, kind, respectful, humble etc. Deborah was talented- a great judge, nevertheless, Deborah recognized her role as a woman and worked in the strength of noble Character. The original Hebrew word used to describe the virtuous wife as in proverbs 31 is KHAYIL. It is a word often connected with military prowess. Kyayil can be translated “mighty, wealthy, excellent, morally righteous, full of substance and integrity, abilities, strength, mighty lie and army. This is similar description God gives the woman when HE calls her HELPMEET (EZER KENEGDO) which suggests strength/power to rescue.

Virtue is the God-given power and inherent ability to live in righteousness, that is living in accordance with God’s will. Virtue is of God and we can only live as virtuous women if we are constantly drawing from the God, through the Holy Spirt the power to live in His ways and reflect his character.

There is strength embedded in virtuous Character.

Utilized skills, gifts and talents to serve God’s agenda

Deborah was talented- a great judge nevertheless, she did go to override the men or despise their role but to influence them and work together for the liberation of Israel. She understood the judiciary was a God-given platform where she exhibited her talents and maximized her influence through her profession to serve God’s agenda. The women who desire to work in God’s agenda will must discern and harness their unique skills to fulfill His mission. They will also identify the various platforms in their daily lives that God has provided for this purpose. The family serves as the primary platform, but there are many others. For instance, some individuals are called to the fashion industry. While the prevailing culture may promote immorality through indecent attire, those within this sector can champion God’s agenda by creating beautiful, modest clothing. In doing so, they not only promote decency but also help safeguard generations from the destructive consequences of immorality.

Diligence

Introducing Deborah as a prophetess, a wife and a judge speaks to how diligent she was in everything she did. Sometimes we want to influence nations which is good, but we forget that it is only when we are diligent with little that more will be added to us. Diligence and consistency in handling little not only trains us for handling more but presents us trustworthy people whom God can entrust more to.

Understanding of times and seasons

Deborah had a discerning spirit which enabled her to understand times and seasons. Deborah was a judge. In one season, she was presiding over individual matters and in another season, she discerned that it was time to go for battle, for the liberation of Israel. God has times and seasons. To be able to discern times and seasons means to discern what God wants to be done in every season and this discernment can only be by the Spirit of God and gotten through an intimate relationship with God.  One thing God has admonished women through his word is to have a quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:4). Possessing a quiet spirit does not mean a woman is not to talk. Rather nurturing a quiet spirit is for the purposes of discerning God’s will and communicating this like Deborah did, for the enforcement of God’s desires on the earth. When a woman with such spirit opens her mouth, wisdom flows and her tongue is the law of kindness (Proverbs 31:26).

Understanding the significance of different seasons in life is crucial for fulfilling God’s purpose. In one season, an individual may be called to be a student, sharpening the skills necessary to excel in a specific profession. In the next season, this person may transition into a professional role, applying their skills to advance God’s agenda within that field. Subsequently, another season may involve mentoring others in the same profession, guiding them to serve God’s purposes through their work. Each season plays a vital role in the overarching journey of fulfilling one’s divine calling.

Worship warrior.

They worship God in Spirit and Truth. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” – John 4:24. Women who are going to be influencers in this world are those who love God with all that is within them. God is their main focus. These women will be in the world but not influenced by the world because they know who they are in Christ.Women who are worship warriors strive daily to live to please God. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will”. (Romans 12:1-2)

Woman of great faith, yielded to God and accepting His Call.

Faith in God serves as the driving force behind the fulfillment of His plans for our lives. Consider the example of Deborah, a prophetess, wife, and judge. Faced with the troubling circumstances of her nation, she felt divinely compelled to join the men in their quest for liberation. This was no small undertaking; however, Deborah remained steadfast, continually proclaiming God’s word to Barak. Her focus was unwaveringly on God and His promises, rather than on the formidable army of King Jabin, which had oppressed Israel for two decades. Each of us is uniquely called to serve God in various capacities. The key lies in yielding to His guidance and embracing the path of our calling, relying on His strength to achieve success. To succeed in the endeavors to which God calls us, we must be willing to step out in faith. Stepping out in faith entails BELIEVE, OBEDIENCE AND TAKING ACTION STEPS.

Arise sister! The ability to influence is an endowment which enables us to partake in the birthing and establishment of God’s plans on earth. Wherever God has placed you is a platform to shine the light of Jesus Christ with total dependence on God.