Great Women of Faith Series: Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015)

Written by Shelsea Becker

“The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I am a Christian makes me a different kind of woman.”

~ Elisabeth Elliot

This statement by Elisabeth Elliot makes me pause. What is the juxtaposition here? It reflects the position Christ has in our lives. My gender does not define my character, but my faith absolutely does.

Identity in Christ First

Our identity must come from knowing who we are in Christ because everything we do flows from that position. 

When I put Christ first, it changes everything. I can either be a business owner who happens to be Christian—or I can be a Christian who owns a business. Do you see the shift in identity? It’s a paradigm change.

As a Christian who owns a business, every decision reflects biblical principles—my integrity, how I navigate conflict, and how I steward finances. It all flows from the truth that my first identity is in Christ.

Identity Shifts: Christ First

A Mom Who Is Christian → A Christian Mom

• Mom Who Is Christian: Parenting with faith in the background.

• Christian Mom: Parenting is formed by Christ—grace, patience, and instruction in the Lord.

• “Bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)

  
  

A Teacher Who Is Christian → A Christian Teacher

• Teacher Who Is Christian: Teaching is the job, faith is secondary.

• Christian Teacher: Every lesson, every correction, every encouragement is filtered through Christ’s wisdom and example.

• “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23)

A Leader Who Is Christian → A Christian Leader

• Leader Who Is Christian: Leadership focused on goals with faith in the background.

• Christian Leader: Leadership marked by servanthood, integrity, and humility.

• “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26)

A Wife Who Is Christian → A Christian Wife

• Wife Who Is Christian: Marriage defined by culture, faith tacked on.

• Christian Wife: Marriage rooted in Christ, showing respect, honor, and mutual love.

• “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord… Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church.” (Ephesians 5:22, 25)

A Student Who Is Christian → A Christian Student

• Student Who Is Christian: Studies come first, Christ comes second.

• Christian Student: Learning becomes worship; diligence reflects Christ.

• “Let the wise hear and increase in learning.” (Proverbs 1:5)

A Business Owner Who Is Christian → A Christian Business Owner

• Business Owner Who Is Christian: Business defines identity; faith is personal.

• Christian Business Owner: Business is a ministry platform to model honesty, generosity, and stewardship.

• “The integrity of the upright guides them.” (Proverbs 11:3)

A Friend Who Is Christian → A Christian Friend

• Friend Who Is Christian: Friendship rooted in personality and preference.

• Christian Friend: Friendship becomes intentional discipleship—encouragement, accountability, prayer.

• “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)

Living as a Christian Woman

When Elisabeth Elliot made her statement, she was emphasizing that being a Christian redefines how we live as women. Placing Christ first means my life is shaped to reflect Him.

• Modesty matters: “Do not let your adorning be external… but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.” (1 Peter 3:3–4)

• Relationships matter: “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10)

• Character matters: The fruit of the Spirit becomes the evidence of maturity. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22–23)

My womanhood was designed by God with purpose. In Genesis, God calls the woman a “helper” (ezer, Hebrew)—the same word later used to describe God as our Helper (Psalm 54:4). This reveals that woman carries the essence of God’s character, strength and aid. We should live as such.

Elisabeth Elliot’s Example

Elisabeth Elliot’s life embodies this truth. Her husband, Jim Elliot, was one of five missionaries killed in 1956 by the Huaorani people (formerly called the Auca) of Ecuador. Jim was only 28.

Elisabeth could have walked away in bitterness, but instead, she forgave. Two years later, she and her daughter went to live among the very people who killed her husband. She spent years teaching them the gospel, watching God bring redemption out of tragedy.

Her story echoes Joseph’s words: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” (Genesis 50:20)

A Different Kind of Strength

A woman who is simply “a woman who knows Christ” may still keep Christ in the background. But a woman who is first and foremost a Christian lives surrendered to Him: “Not my will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42).

That’s what Elisabeth modeled. She went on to write more than 20 books, host the influential radio program Gateway to Joy, and trailblaze for women in ministry and media when few women were given a platform.

Her life reminds us that putting Christ first doesn’t limit us, instead a life in Christ is limitless! It makes us a different kind of woman.