A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Prov 31:10
The other day I was perusing the children’s picture book section of our local library, searching for fun books to read with my kids. A woman walked by on the other side of the shelf near me, and I suddenly heard her snicker to herself.
She was obviously amused by something she saw, and turned towards me to reveal a book she was laughing at–How to get Married by Me, the Bride. I later learned it was a book by the Christian children’s author Sally Lloyd-Jones. She definitely did not seem to agree with the title.
“I can’t believe there’s a book about marriage for kids!” she went on,
“My girls talk about weddings and ask if having babies hurts…” She apparently wanted to stand on her feminist soapbox, so I just stood there and listened.
“I tell them, getting married, that’s old-fashioned, that’s what people had to do in the old days. Nowadays, you don’t have to get married or have babies–you can do whatever you want!”
And with that, she disappeared down the end of the hallway to the self-check-out.
I stood there for a moment, a bit stunned at her humorous openness to a complete stranger about her opinions on marriage and motherhood. But then I felt sorry for her. I wondered if she had ever been married, and the pain she may have experienced in her own broken relationships. I thought of her girls, and the messages they are hearing.
I took a peek at the book she snuffed her nose at, and found it to be a fun, light-hearted book for girls who like to play “wedding”. It features the cute, witty advice on “how to get married” from the perspective of a young child. What’s so wrong with that? I thought to myself. What is wrong with young girls desiring to one day be married?
The woman spoke of marriage as if it were an old, out-dated outfit–like marriage somehow went out of style along with go-go boots and tie-dyed shirts. Unfortunately, her response to marriage and motherhood is a crystal clear reflection of what our culture believes.
Her comments made me wonder, “Am I a woman of vogue or a woman of virtue?
The term vogue is defined as: popular acceptation or favor; a period of popularity; one that is in fashion at a particular time. Synonyms include fashion, trend, fad, craze, and rage. In many ways, our culture is very vogue in its values and beliefs. Like a shifting river, the waters of moral relativity are always changing. Whatever the popular music, magazines, movies, and media tell us are “in” become new cultural trends–but do these fads line up with the Word and will of God?
Then there’s the word virtue. The English language defines virtue as moral excellence, goodness, and righteousness; conformity of one’s life and conduct to moral and ethical principles. (Definitely not a word you will find on the cover of Vogue magazine).
A woman of virtue does not conform her lifestyle to the rushing river of this world, but flows to the stream of the Living Water. [bctt tweet=”A woman of virtue flows to the stream of the Living Water.” username=”christinbaker12″]
Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10 (NKJV)
With a little more digging, I discovered that the Hebrew word for virtuous in Proverbs 31:10 is chayil, which means an army, valor, might, power, riches, and strength (source). This word packs quite the punch!
Instead of the weak, wimpy, and unfavorable view our culture has of a woman of virtue, God’s word gives a much greater picture. A virtuous woman is a woman of strength. She has a voice, and has great value in the eyes of God.
A married woman is not a less-than woman with no power or influence, but is a mighty warrior on behalf of her family. She gathers her strength from the cloak of her Creator, and calls on the name of the Lord as her fortress. A woman of virtue is a woman of victory.[bctt tweet=”A woman of virtue is a woman of victory.” username=”christinbaker12″]
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25
If we take a closer look and the woman described in Proverbs 31, we’ll see that she is clothed with…
Virtue (vs. 10)
Goodness (vs. 12)
Diligence (vs. 13)
Provision (vs 15)
Discretion (vs. 16)
Capability (vs. 18)
Skill (vs. 19)
Honor and respect (vs. 23)
Compassion (vs. 20)
Strength and dignity (vs. 25)
Wisdom (vs. 26)
Vigilance and energy (vs. 27)
Contrary to the popular belief of our culture, a woman of virtue is a powerful woman of strength and honor. She doesn’t have to prove herself to the world, but finds her true identity in the eyes of her Savior. So whether you are married or single, God calls us all to be women of virtue.
Christ has clothed us in His brilliant garments of righteousness and dignity. Of valor, value, and victory. So put on your garments of splendor today, and stand firm as a woman of the Word. A woman of wisdom. A woman of victorious virtue!
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:30
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Christin, I love that definition of Chayil. Thanks for sharing that. And, that prov. 31 verse is one of my favorites. Fearing the Lord = beauty. Even the sentiment of that is beautiful. Lovely post, Christin, thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thanks so much, Brenda! I love the passage of the Proverbs 31 woman, and every time I read it, there are so many new insights I find! The fear of the Lord is truly the greatest beauty we can ever possess!
Wow, that is so sad that this mom would be teaching her kids that. Enjoyed your post today!
Thanks for stopping by, Debbie! I pray that God will use us to shine His glimmering truth and hope to a culture in desperate need of Him! Blessings to you! 🙂
It is so sad what the world is turning into. Flipping all of God’s laws, intentions, and purpose around. The virtuous woman is definitely God’s lady, one who fears Him, obeys His word and eschews evil.
We, as much as is within our ability must continually teach those under our influence the truth, hopefully, we will be able, by God’s help, to straighten the thoughts of some girls whose mothers or society have taught wrongly. God help us! Thanks for sharing this Christin.
Have a super blessed day!
Love
Beautiful comments, Ugochi! I pray that we as women of virtue will speak words of wisdom and instruction to the generations after us, teaching them the beauty and honor it is to be a woman of value and virtue! Thanks for much for stopping by today! 🙂
Thank-you for sharing this, Christin! We are blessed to live in an age with so many freedoms and advances for women, but the beauty of being a wife and a mother should be encouraged as well, not belittled.
Amen, Brooke! Thanks for stopping by today! 🙂
What a powerful post, Christin! The world tells us that biblical values are not in-vogue, doesn’t it? The truth is that there is so much freedom and security and peace in biblical values. Sometimes I would like to respond to women like the one you met with this: “Who are you to say that God is wrong on marriage?” Who are any of us to say that God is wrong on any biblical value? Bless you for such a wonderful post. Stopping in from Grace & Truth.
Thank you so much for visiting today, Leah! The enemy is busy deceiving the world into thinking that they know better than God! You are so right that there is so much FREEDOM when we do things God’s way! Many blessings to you! 🙂
Hi! Christin, This is a beautiful reminder that a virtuous woman is a woman of valor clothed with beauty and strength. There are women my husband works with that want to be strong independent women, and feel like they have something to prove. They don’t don’t realize that there are beauty and strength in being a virtuous woman. I am your neighbor at Grace&Truth Linkup. Have a great day.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Misty! It is so true that many women believe they have to prove themselves to in order to gain respect and honor, when we are already adorned with everything we need through Christ! Thanks for linking up with me today! 🙂
It is shocking isn’t it how many people have bought into this. It is so smooth in deception. All of the values of today are. The real value and how to attain it sits right in front of most people in a bible. If it is mocking God and his written word it doesn’t come from God. Thank you for sharing this. I have Pinterest boards that I keep that have clothing and home decor that I started before I was turned around. I keep them to hopefully have other women land on my page and learn the truth.
Thank you so much for reading, Sherry! It is definitely our call and calling to spread the TRUTH of God’s Word to those around us in love, and I pray that the truth will set them free! Blessings to you!
I love this perspective, Christin! Vogue or virtue … it’s easy to get caught up in the latter, isn’t it! I’m praying with you that we stay aligned with virtue. With living as a child of God with His Word and instruction at the forefront of our actions.
Thanks, friend, for sharing this hope at #MomentsofHope! You are a blessing!
Lori
Thanks so much Lori! Your ministry is such a blessing to me and so many others! Thank you for being a beautiful model of a woman of true virtue!
Thank you for reminding us that women are in a position of strength and honor and dignity!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Crystal! I look forward to learning from your motherhood series this month–it is so needed in our culture today! Blessings to you!