Wifely Submission
As women of God we hold a very important position in God's plan. As a wife we have what it takes to either make or break our man and our marriage. As I look around, I see so many precious women of God running this direction and that direction. They are confused. They are trying to figure out just exactly what their position is and how to take a hold of it and fit in to it. Too often we, as human beings, try to complicate things. By doing so....we often miss the mark that we are trying so hard to achieve. Let's get into the Word of God and find out exactly what God expects from us as wives. Proverbs 31:10-31 outlines the ideal godly woman. It says, "A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman-who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls. The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil. She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her. She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands [to develop it]. She is like the merchant ships loaded with foodstuffs; she brings her household's food from a far [country]. She rises while it is yet night and gets [spiritual] food for her household and assigns her maids their tasks. She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard. She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm. She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good; her lamp goes not out, but it burns on continually through the night [of trouble, privation, or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt, and distrust]. She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit]. She fears not the snow for her family, for all her household are doubly clothed in scarlet. She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made]. Her husband is known in the [city's] gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes fine linen garments and leads others to buy them; she delivers to the merchants girdles [or sashes that free one up for service]. Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]! She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction]. She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat. Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her, [saying], Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all. Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised! Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]! Now...let's break it down a bit and look at these qualities of the virtuous woman individually: #1. She is rare (v. 10). #2. She is trustworthy (v. 11). #3. She is constant in her love (v. 12). # 4. She is industrious (v. 13). # 5. She is thrifty (v. 14). # 6. She is a self-starter (v. 15). # 7. She is enterprising (v. 16). # 8. She is willing to do hard work (v. 17). # 9. She is willing to work long hours (v. 18). # 10. She is willing to do monotonous work (v. 19). # 11. She is compassionate (v. 20). # 12. She is prepared for the future (v. 21). # 13. She is a good seamstress (v. 22). # 14. She is married to a leader (v. 23). # 15. She is an entrepreneur (v. 24). # 16. She is not swayed by circumstances (v. 25). # 17. She is wise and kind (v. 26). # 18. She is duty-conscious (v. 27). # 19. She is blessed by her family (v. 28). # 20. She is not satisfied with the mediocre (v. 29). # 21. She is a woman of God (v. 30). # 22. She is praiseworthy (v.31). # 23. She is a woman of means and a woman of great skill and ability v.15-22). # 24. She is a woman of God who is enterprising and dedicated to her home. Wow! That's a tall order to fill....isn't it? Of course, none of us are going to be perfect, but this passage gives us an example....a starting place....a vision of what a truly Godly woman is like. Many women today find it easier to ignore the Word and do what they please rather than that which pleases God. They prefer to ignore God's plan for their lives and play the part of an unmarried woman by running from meeting to meeting and house to house stirring up gossip and strife while their own home is left undone and their own husband is ignored. The Word does speak of such women, but it speaks against them. This type of behavior is uncomely and does not glorify God in the least! No....the Word is clear. 1 Corinthians 7:34 says, "There is a difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of this world, how she may please her husband." Titus 2:4-5 says that married women are to "...teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient, to their own husbands that the word of God be not blasphemed." What if your husband isn't a Christian? What if he operates outside of the Word of God? 1 Peter 3:1 says ... "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that if any obey not the word, they also may with out the word be won by the conversation [conduct] of the wives;" In reality....a woman of God, who is truly walking in her God-ordained position is in a very powerful position! By developing and emphasizing her inner qualities, a woman can achieve a great deal for the Kingdom of God! Its what's REALLY on the inside that counts! No...dear ladies, becoming a virtuous woman and a Godly wife is not an easy task...but I can tell you from experience...it is well worth the effort to move forward in this area. I would like to challenge you today to study and find out what the Bible REALLY says about a wife's place for yourself. Ask God to minister to your heart and to open up His Word to you in this area. Ask Him to reveal the areas that you need change in, then to help you to do it. Its hard work, ladies, but the rewards are tremendous!!!
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