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Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild

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Mary Kassian's book is a comparison of the woman gone wild in Proverbs 7 and the wise women of Proverbs 31 and other parts of the Bible. She looks at 20 character traits of the wild woman and what the traits of the wise woman would be.

Normally, I wouldn't have picked this book to read. The cover and title wouldn't have appealed to me. I review books and was sent a complimentary copy of this book. I trust that the Lord works in all things and so I began reading it. He has used this book in my life four times in the past week since I began reading it. I have been amazed at the timely reading of this book in my own life.

#1 The first day I read the first 50 pages of this book and puzzled as to why I was reading it. The chapters were about women having affairs and the temptation to be unfaithful. The next day a friend shared with me that she had been having an emotional affair with a man. God prepared my heart to hear her, not judge her, and have compassion. I encouraged her to flee temptation.

#2 A few days later during a small group discussion at my home, this book came up again. A conversation had been related in which a wife nit picked at what her husband said in front of his family. I related a story from this book. The story had hit me very hard. A woman wrote a letter to Ms. Kassian about how she treated her husband for 30 years. She bucked him at every turn and wouldn't go along with anything he said (her words). After 30 years, her husband left her for another woman. Two years later, she said that she would have been married for 32 years, but instead all she has to show for it is an empty house. The woman wanted young women to know the falsehood of what feminists have been teaching women. She was thankful that Ms. Kassian was speaking to young women to open their eyes and encourage them to love the Lord and submit to their husbands.

#3 The next morning, I turned on VH1 hoping to see some old 80s or 90s videos like Glee. No luck. Instead, there was a video that's very popular today. Oh, my goodness! I realized in that moment how sheltered my life is. I do not expose my eyes, heart, and mind to the things that were on that video. I realized that the content of that video is commonplace today. Women are inundated by sexual messages that are ungodly and full of sin.

#4 The last time this book came up was two days ago, when I heard about a popular Christian singer coming out. I grieved as she claimed that the translators have mistranslated the Bible (she inferred this on Larry King Live) and that homosexuality is not a sin. Many people commented on blogs that many churches and denominations have come to a fuller and deeper understanding of human sexuality--implying that homosexuality, affairs, and such are not sins. That isn't what the Bible says. It is clear. I read a sign in front of a church that says "don't re-write the Bible, just re-read it". Ms. Kassian is urging young women in this book not to be deceived by the world, but rather to look to the truth in God's Word about sex.

Affairs, sexual sins, homosexuality, lewd talk... our culture is filled with these things today. If we become desensitized to it, we can easily fall into these sins and not see what's wrong. Mary Kassian wants to sound an alarm and make young women aware of what they need to watch out for. She wants young women to guard their hearts and minds. She wants them to protect their relationships and not go down the slippery slope to sexual sin.

If you live in the world and are surrounded by this culture and are struggling to know what is right and wrong, please read this book! It will give you a strong defense and help strengthen your resolve not to give in to the temptations of the world to sin.

I was reminded in my heart of the phrase "But for the grace of God, there goes I" as I read the first 50 pages. I am not experiencing these temptations right now, but I was reminded how important it is that I continue to guard my heart and mind as well as the hearts and minds of my family.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review by Moody Publishing.

Upon reading the title of Mary Kassian's new book Girls Gone Wise (In a World Gone Wild), my first thought was of the Joe Francis franchise, Girls Gone Wild. Perhaps you are familiar with the late night commercials: barely legal girls baring breasts, engaging in sexual activity in front of a camera to earn one of his t-shirts. The temptation to think that only those girls fall under the "wild" category is certainly present.

My second thought was that as long as I dress appropriately, speak sweetly, and mind my Southern graces, then I have no need to be concerned about becoming a wild woman. And, since I'm still in my early thirties, neither am I in danger of becoming a "cougar." Oh, yes, it is quite easy to distance myself, look down my nose, tsk-tsk, and "what-a-shame" them. Kassian, however, is quick to remind me that, "Although external appearance and sexual behavior certainly play a part in determining if a particular woman has or hasn't gone wild, the Bible teaches that there's a whole lot more involved than that. What's more, it teaches that Girl-Gone-Wild behavior isn't restricted to young single women. A woman can be a Girl-Gone-Wild at any stage of life...There is a measure of Girl-Gone-Wildness in all of us." (10-11)

Like our mother Eve before us, we are easily deceived by our hearts, our eyes, and our "wisdom." Rather than relying on God's Word for direction, we rely on ourselves to make good and right decisions. In the end, we suffer the painful consequences of our sin and stupidity. We suffer for a lack of biblical wisdom. We suffer because our hearts are not consumed by Jesus Christ.

How do you know if you're a girl-gone-wild or a girl-gone-wise? Consider a laundry detergent commercial: you can't really tell which old shirt is bright blue until you see it beside one that's never been worn. "Comparison magnif[ies] the difference," writes Kassian. Scripture offers us many points of comparison when we consider the differences between a wise woman and a wild woman. Kassian focuses on twenty.

The foundation text is the Proverbs 7 parable of the adulterous woman. But Kassian also brings in scripture from across the Old and New Testaments. She explains contexts and meanings before teaching how the truth can be applied to the lives of women living in 2010. In each chapter, Kassian demonstrates an understanding of the whole counsel of God's word and the ability to discern and apply truth. The first point of contrast is a perfect example of what I mean.

When writing about a woman's heart, Kassian begins with Proverbs 5:5-6, "Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol; she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it." Kassian goes on to make the connection between a woman's feet and the inclinations of her heart.

"The idiom `swept off her feet' indicates that there is a strong connection between a girl's heart and her feet. That connection is the first point of contrast between a Girl-Gone-Wild and a Girl-Gone-Wise. A wise woman gives the Lord Jesus Christ first place in her heart. Her feet follow the inclination of her heart, so she makes cautious, wise, godly decisions about her relationships with men."

She then contrasts that with the feet and heart of a wild woman: "A wild woman, on the other hand, does not have Christ at the center of her affections...Her relationship to Christ is peripheral, shoved off to the side somewhere."

But, as Kassian points out, the contrast is never that simple. She directs the reader to Proverbs 7 to show that even the wild woman has been to worship that day; the wild woman behaves one way at church to impress others, but in an altogether different way when she thinks no one at church is looking. "It's important to remember that although her steps wander, the Wild Thing of Proverbs is a very religious woman who moves in religious circles. Nowadays, you might find her at a youth group, on the worship team, in a Bible study, on a mission trip, or teaching Sunday school. She could be the leader of the women's ministry in your church. Or the speaker at your next women's retreat. She could be me. She could be you. On the surface, the Wild Thing does a lot of things right...She lives a religious life, but does not love Jesus wholeheartedly."

Kassian continues in the same way for 19 more chapters: contrasting the wild woman and the wise woman, all the while holding up the mirror of God's word to the self-described wise woman so she can see just how wild her heart will become apart from the grace of God.
Many chapters were difficult for me to read. Were it not for repeated reminders of God's grace demonstrated in the gospel, I would not have enjoyed reading nearly as much. Along with conviction came gospel comfort. After all, we aren't going to gain wisdom apart from a relationship with Jesus.

Speaking of Jesus, I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I appreciate Kassian's handling of the gospel. I read a lot of books targeted for Christian women. Many, if not most of them, will include a token mention of the gospel: a page and a half (if that), ABC explanation followed by "Pray this short prayer and you're in the family of God." Blech! I counted two separate times in which Kassian explains the gospel, not as "by the way, here's what Jesus did for you," but within the context of the chapter. She begins with the holiness of God and ends with repentance and faith. Yes, she actually describes repentance. She even differentiates justification and sanctification. Folks, I just don't see much of that in books written by women for women, and I appreciate it when I do.

Whether you are teenager, in your twenties, thirties, forties or seventies, I am confident you will be challenged and convicted as you are made to consider whether your heart reflects the characteristics of a Wild Thing or a Wise Thing. Girls Gone Wise will help you grow in spiritual discernment, encourage you to reject the world's pattern for women and embrace God's perfect plan, and, finally, Kassian's desire is that you become "more biblically savvy and godly in the way you think and conduct yourself in your relationships with men." Moreover, I am confident that at many points you will exult in the goodness, mercy and grace of our God who delights to transform wild hearts into wise ones.

Girls Gone Wise is a timely and much-needed study of godly womanhood. In a culture saturated with liberal feminism, it is easy to lose sight of how to be biblically feminine. In her contrast of the Girl Gone Wild and the Girl Gone Wise, Kassian does not simply present a list of rules and regulations. Instead, she examines the motivations and heart attitudes which characterize wisdom and wildness. Her teaching is biblical, insightful, convicting, and compelling. I recommend this book for all women whether 13 or 113.

Girls Gone Wise by Mary A. Kassian is a powerful indictment of the modern woman. Kassian compares the foolish woman and wise woman of Proverbs and contrasts them both to the modern woman. She doesn't pull any punches, and readers will feel deeply convicted. I know as I started reading the book, I initially had a long list of people I wanted to give a copy to, but as I progressed further, I realized that it was me who needed these words of wisdom. Kassian castigates the popular idea of serial monogamy and uses Scripture to support her attack on a lifestyle that God certainly doesn't condone. That's not the only life choice that's under attack, flirting, selfishness, gender role confusion are all discussed. Kassian's words will not earn her the title of Most Popular, but they are true words that must be spoken in a world that continually turns away from God and biblical living. I found myself convicted again and again by my own selfishness. This is not an easy book to read, but I highly recommend it to every woman who wants to strengthen her relationship with God and live a more fulfilling life.

First let me say I have not read this book. I am a 48yr old father of a 18 year old who after all the guidance, wisdom, and God's work ended up pregnant anyway. We now have my daughter and our 4 month old granddaughter living in our home with my wife and I.

I purchase this book for my daughter after hearing about it on our local Christian radio station. I gave it to her for mother's day and somewhat insisted she read it. To my surprise yesterday after bible study my daughter came to me, gave me a kiss on my cheek and said "Thank you for the book Dad". From her words "It was awesome, conviction, and informative. She said people tell you not to have sex, the bad consequences of doing so but they never really tell you why or what is sex for. This book explained to her in a way she understood. She talked about the lessons she learned about how she dresses, putting herself in compromising situations with guys etc... She expressed a deep desire to use this book as a bible study topic for our church's dance team (Which are all girls). Again she really enjoyed this book and desire to follow what she has learned.

I asked what is the minimum age she thinks this book would be good for. She said Teens and grown-ups. I asked her to be more specific, she said 12-13 and up because they are having sex and don't understand the sin and consequences they are allowing into their lives and future.

For a week or more I was listening to Moody and kept hearing about a book, Girls Gone Wise in A World Gone Wild by Mary Kassian. I was intrigued by the bits I was hearing and decided to see if I could get a copy sent from the publisher to review.

Moody Publishers were very kind and sent me a copy. I just finished reading it. It is an easy read in that the chapters are not long but is definitely not a quick read. There is much to be pondered and digested.

The author looks at 20 points of comparison between a Girl Gone Wild (much of that is taken from Proverbs 7) and a Girl Gone Wise (some taken from Proverbs and some from other places in scripture). She also does an excellent job of tying in "modern day" examples with each of the points.

I have to tell you honestly that I got this book with an eye toward guiding Gracen through the pre-teen and teen years in a culture that I don't even understand half the time! Reading through this book gave me many points to think through in my own life. It is definitely not just for the younger crowd.

The sections on appearance, sexual conduct, and hedges were among the best I thought. In the section on hedges, there are lists of ideas of hedges that a woman (both for singles and married women) may want to think about putting in her life. These were not given in a legalistic, this is what "good" Christian girls do but simply as thinking points.

Overall, the book was clear, well-written, and Biblically sound. I think this may be one I refer to in the next few years!

Thanks to Moody Publishers for sending a copy!

I love this book! As a Mother of 3 Teenage Daughters, it is confirmation of the things I have done right thus far. However, it has also given me wisdom and knowledge that I hadn't thought of. Also, by putting this information in a contrasting format, makes it easy to pick up on the concepts quickly. Great book. Great format. I highly recommend it to anyone with daughters, nieces, girlfriends. It is also a great reminder to us grown-up gals on how we are to set an example for the younger ones.

This book compares and contrasts the "wild" woman in Proverbs with the "wise" woman. The book is well written with Scripture to describe both wise and wild women. Mary Kassian uses examples that are inline with the Scripture. This book will show areas in your life where you maybe wise and wild. It definitely makes you think!!!

Mary Kassian is a phenominal author and Girls Gone Wise is amazing! She goes through 20 areas that girls and women struggle with and gives Biblical ways to handle them and how to change attitudes and actions. This book is great for single gals, but relates to married women as well. I learned so much about relationships and life situations in general. I highly recommend this book to any woman who wants to live as a woman of God.

"Girls Gone Wild" was a lot better than I anticipated. I suppose you could say I judged a book by its cover, but this time I'm glad I read it. Mary Kassian addresses the Proverbs 7 woman, the "Girl-gone-wild", and compares her characteristics to a "Girl-gone-wise". Her book lists 20 different points of contrasts, including heart, attitude, appearance, roles, boundaries, speech, and teachability, with Scriptures from Proverbs that correspond with each. She addresses many hot topics of today, like modesty, purity, and biblical femininity, handling each well with Scripture and biblical wisdom. Her book isn't about teaching young girls to remain "technical virgins" while still being popular or still keeping up with the world's standards without totally jumping off the cliff. No, her book is about being innocent of evil, clinging to what is good, forsaking the things of the world, and being willing to look, act, talk and think different than the girl-gone-wild. And this advice isn't just for the unmarried, but just as applicable for married women who still need to battle these issues and remain loyal to their husband and a pure bride of Christ. This is a great book for any woman at any stage in her life, whether she's struggling with any of these in particular, or if she just needs a reaffirming push in the right direction.

I received a copy of this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review.