Sunday was Valentine’s Day.
Just One Night
Life Support
After filling our minds with a host of positive attributes possessed by the virtuous woman, Proverbs 31:23 reveals some information about the man to whom she is married. “Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.’
The Virtuous Woman is Supportive.
In Old Testament days, the gates of a city were a place of prominence. Much of the public business of the culture, including legal transactions and administrative affairs, was conducted in this area. A man who was well-known in this location would have been a leader and important official in the city.
As we have seen repeatedly, the lady of Proverbs 31 was a wise steward who conducted the affairs of her home in a way that would have given her husband the freedom to pursue his business interests and focus on the needs of his work. Certainly, she also had a reputation that would not have hindered him in his pursuits, but would have been an asset to his career.
Hence, I must ask myself the following: Am I this type of supportive helpmeet for my husband? As much as possible, do I take care of things around the home that my husband might be free from those cares? Do I pray for him while he is at work, asking for God’s leading in decisions he makes and wisdom for circumstances he will face? Finally, do I seek to be a Godly wife with a reputation that will enhance – not harm- my husband’s ministry?
With God’s help, I want to be a blessing to my husband, supporting him in every endeavor through prayer, encouraging words and faithful actions.
photo courtesy public domain pictures
I Will Do Him Good
Will the way I treat my husband today be for his good?
Proverbs 31:12: “She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”
The Virtuous Woman is Pure.
Her motives are pure. She seeks what is best for him; she is not sneaky or conniving, trying to manipulate him into doing what she wants.
Her actions are pure. She meets his needs and chooses to do those things that will gain his approval. It is more important to her that he be benefited by her actions than that her own reputation be promoted.
Her words are pure. She encourages and uplifts, refusing to use her words to tear down or berate. Yet she admonishes when needed, but always in private with a humble heart, a gracious spirit and a gentle tone.
Her heart is pure. She wants to be a true help meet, so she strives to maintain her walk with God while bathing her husband in prayer. She doesn’t seek to re-make her husband according to her wishes, but does all that she can to help him become the man God would have him to be.
Just three weeks into our study of the virtuous woman, I realize how utterly helpless I am to be like her. Only by the Holy Spirit’s power can I have the wisdom and strength to be a Godly wife and mother.
Read previous attributes of the virtuous woman here and here.
He Trusts Her
Proverbs 31:11 makes the following statement about the virtuous woman: “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.”
What an amazing privilege it is for a wife to have the trust of her husband’s heart! According to the dictionary, this means he has a “firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person…”
A Virtuous Woman is Trustworthy.
A Woman of Value
I am beginning a series on Proverbs 31 with much fear and trepidation. People with a stronger spiritual walk and a deeper knowledge of the Bible have preached sermons and written books on this famous passage. I will simply be communicating my thoughts and perspective on the attributes of the virtuous woman.
In addition, I have found that when I study and share truth from the Bible, I am immediately tested in that area. Therefore, this series is meant to be a challenge to myself as much as to anyone else. I also want to be reminded of the importance of imparting these principles to my daughters.
Some years ago I did a study of Proverbs 31:10-31 and came up with one word that described the main characteristic portrayed in each verse. Every Monday for the next several weeks, I’ll share the word I chose and encourage you to add your thoughts on that particular verse.
The passage begins in verse ten which says, “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.”
A Virtuous Woman is Valuable.
Virtue is defined as “the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong.” I like that both the positive and negative aspects are included. If I am to be a virtuous woman, I must do those things that are right while avoiding attitudes and actions that are wrong.
From the verse, it appears that a woman who is full of virtue is difficult to find. That lets me know that being a virtuous woman is not easy. It requires a relationship with God that includes time in His Word and in prayer, asking for the Holy Spirit’s help in discerning right and wrong and for the power to make correct choices.
As I grow in virtue, I become valuable – to my Lord, in performing His will for my life; to my family, by being a wife and mother who embraces good and shuns evil; and to others by setting a Christ-like example for living.
What does it mean to you to be a virtuous woman? Is there someone you know who exemplifies the Proverbs 31 woman? I’d enjoy reading your thoughts on this verse.
photo courtesy public domain pictures
I Do
Nineteen years ago today, I said “I do.”
I Hear the Love
Love is building your wife a bookcase, to the exact specifications of one she already has.
A Mom Worthy of Honor
She called last night to check on me, to see if I had recovered from a brief illness the day before.
Thank you, mom, for being a woman who is truly worth honoring on Mother’s Day.
7 Ways to Let Your Husband Know You Love Him
An important aspect of teaching our daughters about true love is modeling a Christian marriage for them. As I nurture my relationship with my husband, I hope to set an example of love and commitment that they can follow in their own future marriages.
Here are seven ideas of simple things we as wives can do to show our love to our husbands.
![]() |
Source |
1. Pray for him. We know our husband better than anyone else does – the areas in which he struggles, the decisions he’s facing, the dreams and goals he has. What better way to help and serve our husbands than by taking these things to the throne of grace and uplifting him in prayer.
2. Tell him. Every day give verbal affirmation to your husband of your love for him. Thank him for the things he provides for your family and let him know that you are proud of him.
3. Write notes. Put a “love note” in his lunch or his pants pocket so that he will find it during the day or attach a sticky note to the bathroom mirror. Send him a quick e-mail at work just to let him know you are thinking about him.
4. Greet him happily when he comes home at the end of the day. Don’t make him delve into deep conversation right away; save any necessary discussions for later in the evening.
5. Do the little things without being asked. If you know he needs a shirt ironed, have it ready for him. See what you can provide that he might need to get through his day.
6. Be interested in his interests. Try to learn a little about his favorite sport or hobby so that you can talk intelligently with him about it.
7. Let him be himself. Don’t compare him to others. Don’t ask him to do things you know he won’t enjoy or put him in situations you know will make him uncomfortable.
I always feel like I could do so much better in encouraging my husband and showing my love and support for him. Just posting this list challenges me in this are!
How do you encourage your husband? I’d love to hear your ideas!
Related posts:
3 Ways to Strengthen Your Marriage
5 Marriage Books Every Wife Should Read
3 Truths About Love and Marriage
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- Next Page »