The Purpose of the Woman- What we can do to become more virtuous in our walk of faith

I stumbled across this article from the S.I.S.T.A.H.S. ministry’s blog. It was directed to, “All the Single Ladies,” and explains how God wants to be your guide in finding a new place – a place where those close to you care for you and admire you. He wants to demonstrate great love for you when we trust in Him and let Him be our guide through all things.

As women, we tend to harbor our aggressions, hold grudges, go above and beyond to please men we aren’t even married to and even devalue our self-worth by doing things to our bodies that is displeasing to the Lord.

The bible describes the “virtuous woman” in the book of Proverbs. This scripture lays out the ideal woman. We are provided a clear look at her, the innermost depths of her character that manifest itself in certain tangible traits (Prov. 31: 10, 10-31). The expression "virtuous woman" is from the Hebrew ishshah chayil and literally means "one of power either in mind or body, or both." As one source comments, "She is the perfect housewife, the chaste helpmate of her husband, upright, God-fearing, economical, wise" (The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 9, pg. 597).

Some may think the woman described in Proverbs 31 does not exist today. The Bible does not change. It is what it is and will NEVER change. So, even in an everchanging world, we must learn to adapt and not dismay from the teachings of the Bible. This is why believers refer to the Bible as, THE WORD.

The book of Proverbs is not the only book of the Bible that gives guidelines as to how the ideal woman should dress, act and to utilize her heart. Below, we have described what the Bible says about the Virtuous woman, the ideal woman and simple instrustions he gave us in order to learn to be this woman.

The purpose of the Woman

All of God's creation has purpose; woman is no exception. We read, "And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone: I will make him an help meet for him" (Gen. 2: 18). "Help meet" is from a Hebrew word that suggests a counter-part or helper comparable to him. Every aspect of the woman is a compliment and counter-part to the man. Feminists who deny this are not only in opposition with the Bible but also basic and observable facts. Those who see this biblical truth as belittling to women err. The male and female compose a perfect unit. When God's assigned order and arrangement is perverted, then chaos results. The woman and man (husband and wife) are to encourage one another spiritually. Hence, we read "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered" (I Pet. 3: 7).

A woman should dress modestly so that she does not cause men to stumble, and she trains her thought life not to lust after men.

Romans 14:13 underscores this principle: “Therefore we must not pass judgment on one another, but rather determine never to place an obstacle or a trap before a brother or sister.” To put it simply, women must be very careful about what they wear. The focus of men’s interest is physical by nature. They don’t need any help from us in conjuring up physical desire. If this happens to be a struggle for you and you often feel convicted, earnestly pray and ask the Lord to show you how to make the appropriate changes in your dress and lifestyle. God will respond by giving you the grace to help you make the necessary adjustments in your behavior.

As you pursue the heart of God, you will find that what may have been acceptable in the past is no longer acceptable to you.

And SISTAHS, let’s not forget our duty to lovingly, yet boldly encourage and challenge younger ladies as to what they wear – not just talk about them as they walk by.

Excerpt from "When Love's In View" by Dr. Conway & Jada Edwards

A woman should understand that it is inappropriate to pursue or engage in physical, emotional or spiritual oneness with a man to whom she is not married.

Ephesians 5:3-4 says "But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting - all of which are out of character - but rather thanksgiving."

You see, SISTAHS, it's more than just abstaining from sex; to be a true and respectful woman, it's also about watching what you say and how you believe.

For many women, the struggle in relationships isn't a physical issue; rather, it's of a spiritual and emotional matter. Therefore, to avoid developing spiritual ties, you must conduct yourself appropriate with men whom you consider "friends". Be careful about praying with or sharing other spiritually and emotionally intimate experiences one-on-one with men whom you consider "friends".

You also need to be cautious about whom you express your hopes, dreams, and fears. Women have been designed to "naturally" connect with men, but you must always use wisdom and be on guard about your interactions with the opposite sex.

A Virtuous woman tends to the needs of her family and

never abandons them.

A cursory examination of Proverbs 31: 10-31 reveals the emphasis and priority of God's woman: her family. She is seen busy in activities that pertain to the good and well being of her husband and children. She does good to her husband and not evil and "she rises also while it is yet night, and give meat to her household" (vs. 12; 15). She is not concerned with the threats of nature, because she has made ready for her family against nature (vs. 21). The fact of her primary concern being her family is seen in the language: "She looked well to the ways of her household, and eat not the bread of idleness" (vs. 27).

The teaching of Proverbs 31 is in perfect harmony with the teaching of the New Testament relative to the role of woman. In Paul's inspired epistle to Titus, Paul says regarding older women: "That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed" (Tit. 2: 4, 5).

The characteristics of the Virtuous Woman

When we consider the characteristics of God's woman, we can see why she is "ishshal chayil," a woman of force and power." Let us briefly mention how she is described and appreciate the fact that these are not surface traits, but they actually emanate from her character. She fears the Lord; hence she is characterized by piety (vs. 30). Purity and loyalty abound (vs. 10, 11, 12). She is kind, benevolent, and selfless (vs. 26, 20, 15, 20, 27). As opposed to bitterness and complaining, cheerfulness is seen (vs. 21). She is wise and dignified (vs. 26; 22).

An outstanding characteristic of the virtuous woman is her industry. This zeal and resourcefulness is seen in the promotion of her household (vs. 13, 15, 19, 21, 27). She is a manufacturer, merchant, and landowner (vs. 24; 24; 16). She even cultivates the soil (vs. 16). Herein, please allow me to gently issue a challenge: Who said the godly wife and mother cannot be involved in enterprise outside her physical house? Look again at the virtuous woman (vs. 24; 16). She is presented as what we would call an entrepreneur. She is involved in such enterprise, yet, does not neglect her family!

The reward of being a virtuous woman.

First, be impressed with the fact that God's woman is a woman of real power. Which is more far reaching: to work primarily at a secular career and promote a company in providing some often whimsical product or contributing to the very foundation of society and mankind itself, the family? Herein is power! Too often great women go unnoticed and without praise. Not so with the godly woman of our text. We read, "Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also and he praised her" and "Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates" (vs. 28; 31). Appreciate the fact that the wife has personal recognition, "let her own works praise her in the gates." What a statement, especially when viewed in the Jewish setting in which it is made!

Beloved, above and beyond all praise, recognition, and joy of this earth, heaven is the ultimate reward for God's people (Matt. 5: 12). We need more women today who are seeking to emulate the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 and not Hollywood's version of the successful woman. God's woman is of real substance and lasting quality and will offer important contributions to herself, family, and society as a whole. May their tribe increase. (You might like to read, "The Truth about Woman."

Source 1: http://www.bibletruths.net/Archives/BTAR235.htm

Source 2: http://www.thesistahsministry.com/allthesingleladies.htm