THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN (A PRECIOUS JEWEL )
Proverbs 31
10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings, she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her seeds publicly declare her praise.
Reading through the above scripture will help you understand the ideal woman in the sight of God: the virtuous woman.
A Virtuous woman is a phenomenal woman, she is a positive force in a negative environment. However, it is important to know that a woman does not just arrive at being virtuous, it takes yielding to the direction of the Holy Spirit, and allowing him to purge our flaws and shortcomings.
Of a truth, living the life of a woman, mother, wife and friend can be quite challenging, with daily tasks and expectation from all ends, despite all this, we must be focused on achieving the the high standard that God has set for us in the Scriptures: the standard of the virtuous woman.
In aiming to become a Virtuous woman, it is important to understand some of the attributes of the woman that was described in Proverbs 31 and that is what we intend to achieve through this article: The Virtuous Woman.
Attributes Of A Virtuous Woman
1. Wherever A Virtuous Woman Goes She Adds Value
As virtuous women wherever we step our foot, we are meant to add value to the lives of people around us, it could be through our talents, gifts, knowledge, experience, or skills, we must impact the people we meet daily, encouraging, supporting, comforting, and educating them so that by the time we are leaving them, they would have become better versions of themselves.
2. She Perceives That Her Merchandise Is Good
As Virtuous Women, we must be confident of our products, we must carry ourselves with prestige and ensure that our works in the home, office, church, in the community, etc. speak good things about us.
Knowing fully well that we belong to God, and that we are royalty, we are not meant to have low self-esteem at all.
3. A Virtuous Woman Is Wise
There’s no way we can talk about being a virtuous woman without mentioning wisdom, what helps us to resolve issues between ourselves and our spouses? What is that force that we desire to have often so we can know when it’s right to do certain things and times not to? It is wisdom.
As a virtuous woman, one must always pray for wisdom, in dealing with the children, husband, or even people in the community, wisdom attracts honor to a woman’s life. A woman who is perceived to be wise will easily gain respect and confidence more than one who speaks foolish things.
Therefore, a virtuous woman is one who is very wise and honorable. She is conscious of what she says in the home especially in the presence of the children and in the public, she seeks to understand everyone in the home so she knows how best to deal with her family members individually.
Her words are seasoned with salt and her counsel is life to those who follow it. Even when she corrects she does it in love.
4. She Is Hardworking
Following the scripture we read earlier, a virtuous woman is one that is full of energy, idleness is not in her dictionary at all, in same way, we as women must be up and doing, and laziness must not be in our code of conduct, depending on one stream of income should not be our focus, rather we are meant to explore our gifts, talents, areas of high passion and interest, so we can be better versions of ourselves and so we can make extra income for the family.
Moreover, because we are called to be “helpers”, we must do our help ministry excellently, providing mental help, spiritual help, physical help, and financial help in running the home and in taking care of our children.
As we work hard to fulfill our help ministry, we must also impact our children so they become enterprising, diligent, and hardworking just as we are or far better than us.
5. She Is A Philanthropist
Because the woman described in proverbs 31 is a kindhearted woman, giving comes as a natural thing for her to do. Being a virtuous woman entails giving to the needy/less privileged, helping others achieve their goals/ dreams, and ensuring that those who are around you discover and fulfill their purpose on earth. So as virtuous women, we are not only meant to give our money or wear, we must be ready to give our time, and experience and provide motherly love to those in need.
6. She Fears God
As scripture says in proverbs 1:7 that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, the virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31 couldn’t have achieved that level of excellence in marriage and community without the fear of God, she lived a selfless life, taking care of her family and the people around, all this can only be done by someone who fears the Lord and trust in God. So as virtuous women, we must let the fear of God be our focus in all we do, in nurturing our children, in relating with other people’s children serving God, etc. In all we do, our reverence for God must be clearly seen.
Other Attributes Of The Virtuous Woman
7. She is an ambassador of love, a peacemaker Matthew 5:9
8. She forgives in advance Ephesians 4:32
9. She is faithful to God
10. She is creative and has an inner beauty that burns for Christ.
11. She is growing in all areas, physical, spiritual, mental
12. Her beauty is not just in her jewels and outfit, rather her beauty is from within. ( 1 Peter 3:3-4)
13. She is one who has a meek and gentle spirit which makes her precious before God. Colossians 3:12
Basic Requirements Of Been A Virtuous Woman
After reading the attributes of a virtuous woman, you may be wondering; are there basic requirements of being a virtuous woman? Definitely, there are! It’s not enough to read this article and start planning to change your lifestyle, mode of addressing people and life situations, but instead, there is a power to become, (John 1:12)
How do I mean? Scriptures say in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” This simply means if you don’t have Christ in you, it will be difficult for you to become the virtuous woman you desire to be.
So, you must first accept Jesus Christ in your life as your personal Lord and Savior so that He may give you the strength and power to become a virtuous woman.
If you are ready to accept Christ into your life, please say these prayers with me;
Lord Jesus, I thank you for this great opportunity that you’ve given me to become your own, Lord I confess all my sins and I ask that you forgive me by your mercy,
I accept you Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and savior, I believe that you are the son of God, I believe that you came to die for my sins, I believe that you were born of virgin Mary and by your blood which was shed on Calvary, I have been redeemed from sin and death, and I have been made right with God.
Thank you, Jesus, I ask that you send your Holy Spirit into my heart to help me walk in your ways always, that I may see you in rapture In your name I pray.
Amen.
Congratulations! You’re now born again, it’s quite important now that you join a Bible-believing church, and create a good relationship with the Holy Spirit by studying your Bible and praying regularly.
Amen
