Feminism is about ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all genders, aiming to empower women to fully realize their rights, irrespective of gender differences.

You may say;  what’s wrong with that? Nothing, in principle. I believe that men and women are equal in every aspect of life, and no one should be treated unfairly or restricted based on gender. I also believe that God opposes any form of gender discrimination.

In fact, the Bible supports this:

“Male and female created He them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.” (Genesis 5:2)

Isn’t it interesting that God called both male and female “Adam”? While there are various interpretations of this verse, my focus is that when God created us, He did not discriminate between genders. He blessed us equally, giving both men and women the same rights to fulfill our destinies and have a relationship with Him.

But here’s the twist: the modern push for gender equality and feminism has, in some cases, shifted into an ideology where female self-reliance is emphasized to the point that some reject marriage, develop resentment toward men, or misinterpret submission in marriage as subjugation. This misalignment isn’t exclusive to women; some men also view themselves as superior to women in some ways, which is equally wrong.

In the effort to empower women and help them recognize their worth and strength, some have swung to the extreme by promoting the idea that women are worthy solely because of their gender or feminine nature. This, too, is wrong. As Christians, it’s important to understand that our value isn’t rooted in our gender; basing self-worth on gender alone leads to a distorted perception and misplaced confidence in ourselves rather than who we are in Christ.

Unfortunately, even some preachers have unknowingly promoted this misleading ideology, often backing it up with scripture. While some may do so out of ignorance, others might just be cooperating with the devil to spread wrong teachings, consequently, undermining the beautiful partnership God intended between men and women.

I once heard a preacher say that it’s wrong for a man to wash dishes or clean the house because it diminishes his status as the “king” of the home. But I ask, what’s wrong with a man doing the dishes or cooking? After all, “cooKING” has “king” in it, not “queen”— that’s on a lighter note.

The idea that the man is the head of the home doesn’t mean he can’t bathe the children or keep the house clean. Marriage should be a loving partnership, not a gender-based set of responsibilities.

I once spoke with a lady who said she worked full-time while her husband was a stay-at-home dad. When I asked how she felt about supporting the family financially, she was thrilled with their arrangement. It worked for them, as in their previous situation, her husband had been the one working while she stayed home with their young children. They simply switched roles when their circumstances changed. This, to me, is a true partnership.

But many people might disagree, especially those who hold rigid views based on religious interpretations. Some might quote, “Anyone who does not provide for their household is worse than an unbeliever and has denied the faith.” What they often miss is that this message applies to everyone today, not just men. Provision is more than just food and shelter—God views marriage as a partnership, not a role-based contract.

I once accompanied a woman who was visiting her children’s school because they were about to be expelled due to unpaid fees. She paid the fees but insisted that the school still ask her husband to pay and have her money refunded. This puzzled me—why not just pay it outright? She believed that paying school fees was her husband’s responsibility. How pathetic. When God blesses a family financially, He could do so through anyone—wife, husband, or even children. So does it make sense to believe that your money is only yours and shouldn’t be used to pay the children’s fees or foot other bills at home? This is obviously a result of wrong teaching.

Let’s address another common teaching: that women should never pursue a relationship with a man, leaving it entirely to men to make the first move. Let me ask you; how well has this idea helped you? The world understands how to initiate and maintain relationships better than some believers. I’m not advocating for adopting worldly behavior, but some teachings in this area are simply out of order.

If you come from a culture where this is significant, it’s okay to stay within those boundaries if it works for you. However, understand that this is not a biblical teaching—it’s a cultural belief. While there may be nothing inherently wrong with it, we shouldn’t present it as God’s order. My advice is to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading. If you feel prompted to initiate a relationship, don’t let cultural teachings or messages hold you back from what God may be guiding you to do.

Finally, this teaching wouldn’t be complete without addressing the concept of women as the “weaker vessel.” What does this really mean? Does it suggest that women are inferior to men? Of course not. Let’s examine the verse in 1 Peter 3:7: “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”

In biblical times, survival often depended on physical strength. There were no desk jobs, project management roles, or remote work opportunities. If you needed to provide for your family, it required physical labor. So, when Apostle Peter referred to women as the “weaker vessel,” I believe he was advising husbands not to burden their wives with physically demanding responsibilities for household provision. Back then, provision was considered a male duty primarily because women were seen as physically weaker.

However, in today’s world, survival no longer hinges on physical strength. You can succeed through mental effort rather than muscle power. This is why I do not view financial provision as solely a man’s responsibility. It’s a partnership. The term “weaker vessel” relates to physical strength, but in our modern context, physical strength is less relevant.

So, women, feel free to be the CEO or business owner that God has called you to be. You may be physically weaker than the average man, but you don’t need muscles to change the world.

In conclusion, there is no difference between males and females in the eyes of God. While we have gender-based differences, we all need each other. Our relationships should be complementary, not competitive. Do not base your self-worth on your gender. Your value should come from knowing who you are in Christ, not from whether you are a man or a woman.