I have three very handsome sons. I know I’m not totally objective, but I’m pretty sure they’re cute. Two of them are in middle school. Neither one seems to have an interest in being anyone’s boyfriend yet, but I know that day is coming. I’m trying really hard not to freak out about it—really, really hard.
So girls, I’d like to ask you for a favor. If you happen to be the one who turns one of my son’s head someday, would you please be careful with his heart?
He’s a tender soul—a man-in-the-making who bears the image of our Creator. He’s strong and smart (and he may seem tough), but he has vulnerabilities, too. He’s got a masculine way of seeing things, so he’ll have some blind spots that you won’t have. (And you’ll have different ones.) He’ll need your help keeping his heart and body whole.
Have you thought about how powerful you are? If you haven’t, here are three things to keep in mind when you’re the important girl in a guy’s life.
1. Girls have mad social skills.
We often know how to say something without actually saying it. We give finely-tuned signals with our body language and our tone of voice. We can build others up or crush them with our words. We are influential people! We can build up or ruin others’ reputations. Use your social power for good and not evil!
2. Girls have God-given beauty and allure.
God has designed us to be alluring, and we are. You don’t have to look far to find a story that shows a man (or an empire) brought down by feminine wiles. We even see this in Scripture. Think of how Delilah used her feminine influence to ruin Samson and harm Israel. On the flipside, look at how God used the beauty and bravery of Esther to save Israel. Don’t underestimate your feminine influence, and use it wisely!
3. Girls are sinners, just like guys.
We’ve probably all heard someone say we should be careful because “boys only want one thing.” My dad certainly warned me about every situation he could imagine! While it’s true that some guys are only looking out for themselves, isn’t it also true that we girls often do the very same thing? We can gather hearts like trophies. We can use our bodies to tempt young men just as much as they can tempt us. We can carelessly toss aside a guy’s feelings or humiliate him with our words. We all need Jesus desperately!
The Bible tells us that we are not to use others; we are to serve others. We should never humiliate others; we should honor others.
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Rom. 12:9–10).
Women are made in the image of God in a beautiful, distinct way, and there is innate power in our femininity. God made us to be desirable, and we long to be desired. As such, we must be careful with the hearts of those around us—especially the masculine ones.
Can you think of ways you can show honor and genuine love to the hearts around you?
Written by Jennifer Case Cortez
