By Leona Grey

For far too long, women have been silenced, sidelined, and subjugated in the name of God. Maybe you were told that your voice was a threat. That your calling made you rebellious. That your leadership dishonored God’s design. Maybe you’ve heard sermons that twisted Scripture to chain you to silence, service, and submission.

Here’s the truth: God never designed hierarchy between men and women. Patriarchy is not divine — it is a result of the Fall.

Created Equal: In the Beginning

From the very first page of Scripture, we see God’s intent:

“So God created humankind in His image… male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

Men and women were created side-by-side, both called to steward, lead, create, and reflect the image of God. The Hebrew word for “helper” in Genesis 2 — ezer — isn’t a servant word. It’s the same word used for God as our help. This is a picture of strength, not subordination.

What happened in Genesis 3, after sin entered the world, wasn’t God’s command — it was a curse: “he will rule over you.” That wasn’t God’s desire, but a consequence of brokenness. Jesus came to break that curse.

Jesus: The Curse Breaker

Jesus defied every social and religious norm that tried to silence or devalue women.

• He taught theology to a Samaritan woman in broad daylight (John 4).

• He praised Mary for learning at His feet like a disciple (Luke 10:39).

• He appeared first to Mary Magdalene after the resurrection and sent her to the men with the good news (John 20:17 — 18).

In a world where women weren’t allowed to testify in court, Jesus entrusted the most important message in history to a woman.

That’s not accidental. That’s the kingdom.

The Spirit Empowers All Flesh

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended not just on men, but on sons and daughters.

“In the last days, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy…” (Acts 2:17)

The early church saw women as leaders, teachers, prophets, and apostles. Paul greeted Junia, a female apostle, and commended women like Phoebe, Priscilla, and Lydia who led churches and shaped theology.

So where did it all go wrong?

When the Church Mirrors the World

Over time, as the early church grew and merged with empire, patriarchy crept back in. Systems that valued power and control over freedom and truth took hold. The church began to mirror the broken systems of the world instead of the heart of Christ.

And so many of us felt the effects:

• We were told our worth came through quietness and compliance.

• Our spiritual gifts were labeled prideful or dangerous.

• Our stories of abuse were ignored or minimized by male-led systems.

• We were handed shame instead of justice, silence instead of support.

Let me be clear: This is not the gospel of Jesus.

A Prophetic Call to Rise

The good news is that Jesus didn’t just come to forgive sins — He came to liberate captives.

“He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives… to comfort all who mourn…” (Isaiah 61:1 — 2)

This is the heartbeat of the gospel. If the church doesn’t reflect that, it needs to change.

It’s time to call out the systems that have silenced women in the name of God — and to rise in the authority God already gave us. Not by mimicking toxic masculinity, but by walking in dignity, wisdom, courage, and Spirit-filled power.

What Now?

If you’ve been spiritually abused, silenced, or shamed — hear this:

You were never the problem.

Your voice is not a threat.

Your calling is not rebellion.

Your story matters.

And your healing matters to God.

God is not a man. He is spirit (John 4:24). Both male and female were created to reflect Him. And through Christ, He is restoring what sin and systems have broken.

“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17)

Let’s walk in that freedom together.

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