The Proverbs 31 woman has been an inspiration to Christian women everywhere.
Her characteristics are so incredible, it’s hard to believe that she really existed!
Let me tell you a secret…
She did not exist!
This passage of scripture was not written about a certain woman who lived in that time period;
it was written to express godly characteristics of women.
This chapter of Proverbs makes it very practical for women to know how they can live godly everyday lives.
This is revolutionary for the woman who believed that the only way to live your life for God, was to become a nun or a missionary, who has no family and is completely isolated from the world.
Nuns and missionaries are committing their lives to God in a different way, but that is not the only way to commit your life to ministry and godliness.
Proverbs 31 shows us how to practically commit our hearts to God, even if we are just ordinary women, living ordinary lives!
I hope to show you that if you are applying these principles to your ordinary life, your life is extraordinary!
Let’s get started!
“The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.”
Proverbs 31:11 NKJV.
She is trustworthy; her husband feels safe with her and
she blesses the home!
It’s important that a woman is consistent and trustworthy in her home.
Her family depends on her and her husband is her partner, so her consistency will only benefit her home.
When those you rely on are consistent and trustworthy, it brings you peace and confidence.
That’s what a woman brings to her home or job, if she is consistent and trustworthy.
“She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.”
Proverbs 31:12 NKJV.
She is committed to selflessly do good.
Evil, at it’s core, is selfishness.
Yes, it’s true!
If you are focused on benefiting yourself and making things convenient for yourself, you are not considering those around you.
If they are not benefited or considered, you are unbothered by that; as long as you’re taken care of…
That’s evil.
Letting others fall between the cracks, as long as you are good, is evil.
I’m not saying this to upset you and make you feel like a villain.
We all have done evil things.
It’s not permissible, but it is in our nature to protect and care for ourselves.
Natural doesn’t mean it’s a good thing!
It’s natural for me to want to drink more coffee than water.
Just because it’s natural, doesn’t make it good.
A godly woman practices selflessness!
She considers others before herself!
This contributes to her family safely trusting her.
If she is committed to considering her family, they can trust her confidently.
They don’t have to wonder if her intentions are selfish; they know that she is considering their benefit.
Don’t just pray for blessings;
Be a blessing to those around you!
“She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.”
Proverbs 31:13 NKJV.
She looks for ways that she can serve others and meet needs, even if it’s hard work.
Wool and flax are not finished products.
They require creativity, designing and production.
A godly woman looks for the fundamentals and creates something new, even if it takes more time and effort.
She isn’t trying to sell someone else’s work and easy money is not her goal.
Creating something from scratch and utilizing her God-given abilities, skills and strengths, is how she prefers to work.
“She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.”
Proverbs 31:14 NKJV.
She is willing to go the distance to provide for her family.
A godly woman won’t stay where it’s convenient for her.
She doesn’t settle for what is easiest for her, if she has to compromise quality.
A Proverbs 31 woman will allow herself to be inconvenienced to ensure that her family has what they need.
“She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.”
Proverbs 31:15 NKJV.
For all of those who think that God wanted all women to be housewives who wear 50’s style dresses with a full face of makeup and bake apple pies all day; this chapter of Proverbs will open your eyes.
God got a bad reputation because of man-made traditions.
Women are not as strong as men, physically; however, that doesn’t mean that women were meant to stay home, make Mac and cheese for her husband and look pretty for him.
God created women able to care for their children, prepare food for their families, create clothing for their children and overall steward their home.
That’s not all though!
God knows that women can work!
He puts talent and thoughtfulness into the hearts of women and sends them to work.
A godly woman wakes up early in order to serve her loved ones!
“She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.”
Proverbs 31:16 NKJV.
Any money that she earns, she doesn’t spend it on what she wants for herself; she invests in things that will bring more profit!
A godly woman doesn’t spend money on things that diminish in value.
She invests in things that take hard work, dedication, time and faith; but in the long run, it produces immeasurable gain.
If you are a woman who is interested in investing your money into things that only multiply in value overtime, you are walking like the Proverbs 31 woman!
This is something very admirable to God!
A woman who uses her treasure to bless others for generations to come, instead of selfish purchases that last only for a moment, is a godly woman!
“She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.”
Proverbs 31:17 NKJV.
She covers herself with spiritual and emotional strength and she works to gain physical strength.
Proverbs 31 women are strong in every way!
“She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.”
Proverbs 31:18 NKJV.
She holds what she produces to a particular standard.
She doesn’t produce anything faulty or of poor quality.
The Proverbs 31 woman sells good quality merchandise!
Yes, woman of God, own that business!
A godly woman does business with excellence.
“She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.”
Proverbs 31:20 NKJV.
She doesn’t just make her own home prosper, she has enough to give to anyone in need.
A godly woman doesn’t stop when her family is taken care of.
If someone is in need, she considers herself able to fulfill that need.
It is common nowadays for women to hold onto whatever gain that they have, because they never know when they will need it.
A woman in the Kingdom of God looks at what she has and seeks how she can help someone else.
She trusts God as her Provider and knows that He will not let her lack anything that she needs.
Because she trusts that God will always give her everything that she needs, she is generous with what He has already blessed her with.
She knows Who the source of her gain is and that He never runs out of resources.
This gives her the confidence to give to those in need without fear that she will be in need, if she gives what she has to others.
“She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.”
Proverbs 31:21-22 NKJV.
She doesn’t fear the circumstances; she ensures that her family is prepared for difficulties.
The Proverbs 31 woman is not shaken by the storms of life!
She doesn’t keep good from her family out of fear that she could use that money for, an emergency, if one should happen.
When situations arise and threaten the finances of the home, most women start holding onto whatever money that they can; out of fear that they will lose everything.
For women of God, this should not be!
A godly woman trusts God, regardless of the circumstances.
God is our provider, so we do not need to fear lack!
“She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.”
Proverbs 31:24 NKJV.
Come on!
How could tradition twist this beautiful scripture!
Women!
You can be a nurturing mother and dedicated wife, while still having a business!
A godly woman uses her talents to generate income for her home.
She utilizes her abilities to increase her household.
The Proverbs 31 woman is so much more than just the maid and nanny of her home!
We see two examples of businesses that she has, in this passage!
Selling clothes to the public and supplying sellers with useful garments to benefit their business.
The boxes that tradition has claimed that Christian women, must stay in, never belonged to Christianity!
A godly woman is not simply a nanny or a housewife.
Raising children, stewarding her relationship with her husband and tending to her home, are all beautiful parts of her role; but it’s not all that she is able to do!
She was given ability to be a homemaker and a mother but she has so many skills that can be used in great ways!
Women can have businesses and still be wives and mothers!
Proverbs 31 women have God-given talent for making a house become a home, tenderly caring for their young and doing for their husband the things that he is weak in.
This doesn’t negate her many other God given talents!
She can bless her household with all of the gifts that God gave her!
Don’t let the world tell you that Christian women are chained to the oven.
Godly women don’t limit God, they let God use their gifts to bless others!
“Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.”
Proverbs 31:25 NKJV.
She puts on strength and honor everyday and knows that her efforts will surely lead to joy.
A Proverbs 31 woman wears these two characteristics like it’s clothing!
This tells us that a godly woman has to choose to put them on everyday!
Women are strong!
God made man stronger physically because he was placed in a role that requires him to protect his wife.
Women may be naturally physically weaker, but there are areas that she is stronger in.
This isn’t for the purposes of competition between man and woman!
A men and women are meant to work together as one.
So, his strengths are there to cover her weaknesses, while her strengths are to cover his weaknesses.
That’s what a team does!
This is what healthy partnerships look like!
Furthermore, this is what the body of Christ should look like!
If you are competing with those around you, instead of being strong where someone is weak, you are not operating well in the body of Christ!
A godly woman puts on strength with honor everyday, so she can cover those who are weak in the areas that she is strong; however, she doesn’t dishonor those who are weaker.
She doesn’t try to point out the weaknesses of others in order to highlight her strengths!
A Proverbs 31 woman covers others with her strengths and lets others cover her weaknesses with their strengths!
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.”
Proverbs 31:26 NKJV.
A godly woman uses her words wisely, and she doesn’t talk for useless reasons.
She doesn’t open her mouth to be unkind!
Women are known for their ability to talk more than men, which is a gift from God; if conditioned properly.
Unfortunately, women typically choose to use their words for judgement, destruction, gossip, self-defense or excuses.
A Proverbs 31 woman only allows kindness to escape her mouth!
She doesn’t just say whatever comes naturally; she disciplines her mouth because she knows how powerful her words are.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Proverbs 18:21 NKJV.
Since life and death are in the power of the tongue, a daughter of God chooses to use that weapon for good.
“She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.”
Proverbs 31:27 NKJV.
She observes the needs of her home and is quick to meet those needs.
A godly woman isn’t idle and doesn’t use her valuable time, remaining comfortable.
She serves!
When she sees that her home needs attention, she gives it her attention!
If her family has a need, she doesn’t avoid filling that need.
‘Serving’ seems like a bad word in today’s culture, when it comes to women’s lives; but serving others should really be a practiced conditioning, in the hearts of every single person who is able!
If we see someone in need, and we can do something about it; rather than just remain comfortable and unbothered, we ought to serve their needs!
Godly women don’t say,
“What’s in it for me?”
They say,
“What can I do for you?”
“Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:”.
Proverbs 31:28 NKJV.
Her family can easily see her intentional service and kindness.
It’s beautiful when your heart is so clearly seen by your family and friends, that they don’t question your love for them.
They are confident that your intentions towards them are good and they can come to you openly, expecting these beautiful qualities to shine through you.
When those around you are not afraid of your responses, but are sure that you are a blessing in their lives, it creates a beautiful and safe environment.
““Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.””
Proverbs 31:29 NKJV.
“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”
Proverbs 31:30 NKJV.
Beauty, popularity and intrigue will fade away,
What is of eternal value is…
A woman who lives her life to serve the LORD!
Don’t spend too much time on the outward beauty, because it is temporary.
You ought to steward your body well; however, your beauty should never be the reason behind any of your actions.
It is more valuable to focus on the beauty and condition of your heart, because your heart pours into others and it is the only thing that can increase in quality overtime!
“Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”
I Peter 3:3-4 NKJV.
Physical beauty comes and goes, but the beauty inside your spirit is precious to God and will not decay.
“Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.”
Proverbs 31:31 NKJV.
Finally, woman of God!
You don’t need to prove yourself to anyone!
A godly woman doesn’t need to boast of her work; the excellence of work, speaks for itself!
You have nothing to prove!
God sees your heart and His eyes are the only eyes that matter.
The world will judge you how they see fit.
They lack understanding and their standards are corrupt.
You do not need to explain yourself or be successful in their eyes!
A Proverbs 31 woman is more concerned with loving God and loving others well, than she is with how successful she is!
If you are determined to honor God with your life and you live your life by His word, then your works will be clearly seen by the world.
If you are producing fruit of the spirit by applying God’s word to your life and keeping it on your heart, you will only be producing good!
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV.
You don’t need to prove the good that you are doing!
The applause of man is fickle!
It doesn’t change the facts…
If you are producing good things, that’s what matters!
Don’t look for the approval of man!
Seek the heart of God!
That is the only way that you will produce anything good!
This is what it looks like to be a Proverbs 31 woman and the practical steps that you can take towards becoming a godly woman!
For a daily reminder of this post, to help you practice these things everyday;
I have created for you, a beautiful piece of wall art, that you can print out and place in your home.
I hope it helps you apply these principles in your life; and in the times that it gets difficult, I hope that it reminds you that your decision to become a proverbs 31 woman of God, is so worth it!
I’m praying for you precious women of God, as you seek the LORD with all of your heart and live your lives to honor Him!
Photo by cottonbro studio
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
