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.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
-Proverbs 31:10-31
This passage of scripture leaves us all with a lot to think about and aspire for! I am excited in the fact that the passage describes an artistic woman, and also a woman who brings income in to her family through her work from the home. Amongst her many talents it appears she is a skilled seamstress, She makes clothing both sensible to keep her family warm, and decorated so it is pleasant to look at as well.
But more important, a virtuous woman above all else is diligent and honest with her work and her relationships. She is not a gossip, not a braggart. She is trust worthy and lives her life by example. It speaks of a family woman, but even if you are single, the virtues that a Christian woman possesses should be the same. It is important to show Christ in our lives, not just preach it from our tongues. People need to see not just hear, that there is a genuine difference between believers and doubters. They must see that as a Christian we practice honesty, and truth. They need to see that we look after our families as well as those in need. They need to see that Christians are trustworthy in all things and repentant when wrong.
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without [Christ], and that ye may have lack of nothing.
-1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
There are people who will spite Christians, and argue with them just to argue with no desire to hear the truth. Some of the spiteful speakers may even profess to be fellow believers! The virtuous Christian will not argue back, but feel compassion for the lost soul before them. It is better to acknowledge that the one who spites God is not in a state for a reasoning conversation.
…. keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
1 Timothy 6: 20-21
But the virtuous Christian will not remain ignorant of their Lord. We live in an amazing world of knowledge, and there is never a reason that we can’t come up with Gods answer to life’s questions from our peers. It is fair to ask for time to answer their questions, or to provide them with the council of someone with more knowledge. But God does not tolerate ignorance or self-righteousness.
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Romans 10:3
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
-Psalm 119:11
That is a lot to measure up to, in fact impossible without the guidance from Gods word, and the presence of the Holly Spirit impressing Gods grace and love on our hearts as an example of how we are to show Christ to a sinful world.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law
-Galatians 5:22-23
CTM
