God expects a woman to understand that inner character is of greater value than external appearance.
Preliminary Considerations: We named three basic things that God expects of everyone:
- An unconditional commitment to Him
- An unconditional commitment to the Word of God
- An unconditional commitment to the acquisition of God’s truth.
We then spent some time talking specifically to the men about “What Does God Expect of a Man.” We said that…
- God expects a man to be a person of integrity.
- God expects a man to avoid laziness and be hard-working.
- God expects a man to be controlled in his speech.
- God expects a man to be a person of generosity.
- God expects a Man to be a person of strength.
A word about Proverbs 31:10-31
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. the land. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of 24 She makes linen garments and sells them and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31 10-31 NIV
Conventional wisdom tells us that proverbs 31 is the ideal and not reality. No one woman can possesses all of these characteristics.
If God puts it in the scripture and it describes what He expects of her then she is able to do all of these things and fulfill the description of what is given in the text.
Principle 1: God expects a woman to understand that inner character is of greater value than deceptive words or external appearance.
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised
Proverbs 31:30
The use of “charm” to get her way is deceptive. Charm means “favor, grace, elegance. It is appealing to the physical senses and has three negative characteristics involving the use of words and body language. Charm involves the use of seductive words.
Wisdom will save you also from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words,
Proverbs 2:16 NIV
For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; …6 She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.
Proverbs 5:3, 6 NIV
Charm involves the use of persuasive words.
At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice. 7 I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men,a youth who had no sense. 8 He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house9 at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. 10 Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. 11 (She is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home;12 now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.)13 She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: 14 “Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home. 15 So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you!16 I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt.17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. 18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! 19 My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.20 He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon.” 22 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose23 till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.
Proverbs 7:6-23 NIV
With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. Charm involves the use of flirtatious body language. Flirtatious means to behave in such a way as to suggest a playful sexual attraction to someone.
For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life,24 keeping you from your neighbor’s wife, from the smooth talk of a wayward woman.25 Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes.
Proverbs 6:23-25 NIV
God expects a woman to understand that because her beauty is passing with age, the development of character, will give her the ability to her life now and into the future through the eyes of God.
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
Proverbs 31:25
- Strength: She has a “no fail” attitude
- Dignity: She sees herself as a person of great worth.
- Optimism: She has confidence about the future and does not live in fear.
“…beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised”
Proverbs 31:30
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.”
1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV
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