DELIBERATE DECEIT. 2nd Timothy 3:6 Due to the cultural background of women during the early church era, most women had never received formal religious training. Many had not been well educated in that sense unless they were fairly high in society. When the women of the Ephesus assembly learned of their freedom in Christ and sought to understand spiritual truth for themselves, they became targets for corrupt false teachers.
Paul warned Timothy about these deceivers who pretended to have good intentions and sneaked into the households of new Christians like snakes by appealing to women who were feeling guilty because of their sins. Their eagerness to learn made them targets of false teachers. Just as it happened to Adam and Eve, the entire household could be led astray through them. Eve assumed the role of headship, which wasn’t hers to take.
Unscrupulous men tend to exploit women who often act on their emotions without considering who the teacher is, where they and their message originate from, and what the consequences of following their teachings might be.
False teachers emerge from this group. They infiltrate the homes of those who lack the spiritual knowledge and strength to stand for what is right. Even as believers, they recognize sin in their lives and are vulnerable to teachings that lead them away from the truth. Historically, women were not considered important in the grand scheme of things. Now, with Christianity acknowledging their equality, they have become targets of false teachers.
While they enjoy freedom in Christ, some lack understanding of "the faith" and are therefore vulnerable to deception and manipulation that can steer them away from the truth. Additionally, some individuals struggle to learn effectively, which may come from spiritual laziness, dishonesty, or a desire to know without a genuine interest in applying what they've been taught. We truly understand a subject only after experiencing its purpose and being able, at least to some extent, to teach it to others.
People are very vulnerable when they reflect on their past lives and wonder if they have been forgiven for all their sins. When they place their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior from sin, guilt, and its effects, does that include past, present, and future sins? To many, that seems too good to be true. When women are overwhelmed by sins and driven away by evil desires, they seek relief and look for something they can do. At those times, they become gullible and easy targets for false teachers.
A person lowers their guard when they are not familiar with or committed to reading the scriptures in the Bible. The word of God comes from the Holy Spirit, guiding God’s children into all truth. Many false teachers have books to sell that “explain what the Bible means in words that are easy to understand.” Religious novelty, deceptive religious practices, and dogmatic statements by charismatic teachers appeal to those who believe they are missing something.
False teachers today include women who find open ears in other women who are not satisfied with the role God gave them and want to do the same things as men are given to do by the Lord. Men are responsible for using the gifts God gave them to fulfill their service to the Lord, and women are to do the same. False teachers will entice them to “feel fulfilled” by believing them, leading them astray themselves, and then the household, and even sometimes assemblies of Christians.