Proverbs 31:10-12, “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”
The Bible has a great deal to say about women, and in a day when virtue is viewed as out of vogue, modesty is seen as medieval, and purity is considered prudish, we would be wise to remind ourselves of God’s viewpoint on these issues. The Bible is still true, and though society’s values and morals may change, God’s stay the same. God speaks much of the “strange” (wicked) woman, and none of it is good; yet, if you read her description in Proverbs 7, you could be reading the description of what many women are admired for today.
She is loud. She is stubborn. She is clever. She never stays home. She sees want she wants and goes after it. She is seductive. She dresses to draw attention. She flatters to gain acceptance. She has no respect for those around her. She is the woman God warns men to avoid being with and women to avoid being like. Then God speaks of the virtuous woman, the woman whose “price is far above rubies”. This woman is rare, and more precious because she isn’t to be found on every corner. She is a woman who lives by principle, gives with compassion, and serves with love.
She doesn’t use flattery. Her tongue is ruled by kindness and wisdom. She doesn’t dress to seduce men. She dresses in a way that shows respect for God, herself and everyone around her. She works hard and earns the respect and praise of her family. Most of all, she is commended by God. Do you want to be a courageous woman? Do you want to do something valuable and honorable? Be virtuous. Be the kind of woman God prizes. Don’t be intimidated by the world’s opinions. They’ve been wrong for centuries. And don’t settle for being a cheap imitation of what God intends for your life.
Niki Lott | Pastor’s Wife
New Testament Baptist Church | Butler, PA
https://www.visitntbc.com