Are you exemplifying a life pleasing to God?

Today is Mother’s Day, a day we consciously thank our mothers and hopefully tell them how they truly showed us how to live our lives for God. However, this is not always the case. The world gives us many examples of women we are to follow. But how do we know who can be good examples? God’s Word not only tells us how to live our lives pleasing onto God, but gives us examples of women who followed God and those who did not. What qualities or virtues do we want in a good mother? For some, she is to be the jack of all trades able to be everywhere and do everything. We want here to do laundry, cook, clean, but really do not look at her heart. God calls us to look at the character, why a woman acts or how she presents herself. Many times we just look at the surface, and God is having us look deeper. Where is her foundation? Where is her roots? So the question becomes are you living your life for God, being an example?

What are the virtues of a godly woman from the New Testament?

Throughout God’s Word we have many examples of godly women and ungodly women.

Paul in & 7-8, helps us understand the virtues of an older godly woman, which also as we will see ties into the virtues found in the Old Testament. Paul writes to Titus in order to help him not just understand the importance of sound teaching, but the qualifications of a godly leader. We are entering the letter to Titus in the section Paul is dealing with sound teaching. Paul starts with reverent in behavior, which refers to fearing God. God is the only one who is to be worshiped, praised, adored, and first in their lives. Paul here is helping not just the men, but older women of the church who have an understanding of the temple and temple life, to know what he is referring too; because Paul is alluding to a priestess similar to that of Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, and Anna. Paul starts with the point and builds upon that point. He is doing the same thing here. The qualities Paul points out from here help point explain what it means to be a woman of reverent behavior. Paul goes on to say women are not to slander others or be controlled by alcohol. This means women should not gossip and become addicted to alcohol. Older women are to teach what is good, train younger women to love their husband and children, be self-controlled, pure, hard working, submissive, kind, and to honor God’s Word.

Paul goes on to point out that we are to model good works. If we are living for God we will show our faith and love through our actions not just our words. When we teach we will be showing integrity, dignity, and sound speech.

The virtues Paul points out here in & 7-8 all point back to being reverent in behavior.

Does Paul point out these same virtues else where?

The answer to this question is simply yes! When we look at both letters to Timothy we see the same virtues.

Paul points out in that we are to have faith, love, holiness, and self-control. The qualities Paul uses here almost sound familiar and they should. In , he ends with faith, hope, and love, and the greatest is love. When Paul talks about the fruit of the Spirit, in , we see multiple qualities. Paul starts with these and builds, as we will see, but I want us to ponder a reverent behavior.

A servant of God in is not only trainable, but allows the Holy Spirit to train them in godliness. Paul’s example here is of physical training. This is the type of training we should have for godly living. We are spending time in prayer, reading God’s Word, living out what we are learning, and training the next generation. So, reading God’s Word, is more than just the highlights, it is memorizing it and putting it to memory. Is the Holy Spirit your coach or is the world for godly living?

In Paul points out that we are to not just be an example, but an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Our words, actions, and deeds should be pointing to Christ, not to the world. Does your kids, grandkids, grant-grandkids know you are a follower of Christ? Are you an example to them? We are to be showing God’s love not just to our family, but everyone we come in contact with. Our faith should be in Christ alone and we are to be pure in every way.

In hope is placed in God alone. A godly woman brings her prayers and supplications to God. Prays continuously. This is no difference here because Paul talks about praying continuous also in and .

shows how a servant of God does not quarrel, is kind to everyone, is teachable, and patient! In verse 25, correction is done through gentleness.

All of these virtues point to a reverent behavior. A life living holy and pleasing onto God. A woman of God has all of these virtues not some, all. The only way we can live a life worthy of God is to allow the Holy Spirit to help us and train us in the ways of the Lord.

What are some of the virtues pointed out in the Old Testament?

When we look at the Old Testament we seem many examples, but here are a few. Boaz said Ruth was known as a worthy woman or a woman of noble character, in . Ruth exemplified a reverent behavior and all the virtues Paul talks about. This does not mean Ruth is of social status or wealthy, but instead refers back to her character, her relationship with God, and her relationship with Naomi.

Esther prayers and has her staff and all the Jews to fast and pray about the situation with Haman, before she does anything, in . Esther’s character is one of reverent behavior. She is not quick to act, but instead seeks God’s guidance and direction.

The most well known example is found in . A godly woman is to be trusted . She does good, hard working, provides for her family, compassionate, giving, caring, laughs, has strength and dignity, shows wisdom, teaches kindness, strays way from idleness and vanity, and fears the LORD .

These Old Testament examples help us see how godly women live their lives. Are there examples of ungodly women? Yes, Jezebel is an excellent example and so is Gomer. These women do not put God first. Both are seeking worldly pleasures. In the end, they lead people away from God not too him.

What does this all mean?

We are to be godly women. Examples for the world! Training the next generation is what we are called to do! Praying and giving everything to God should be what we do first, just as Esther did! A woman of reverent behavior not only prays first, teaches the next generation, but is loving, kind, compassionate, fears God, hard working, has strength and dignity, has integrity, noble character, faithful, purity, patient, self-controlled, gentle, has sound speech, and honors God’s Word. People should not only see Christ in us, but through us. How are you living your life? Are you exemplifying a life pleasing to God? Ultimately is Jesus first in your life?

The only way we can be the example God calls of us, is to have a relationship with him. Sin separates us from God. Sin is anything that goes against God and his Word. We are all sinners in need of God’s saving grace and mercy. We do not deserve God’s love, but Christ died for us, for our sins out of his love. We can do nothing to save us, only God can save us from our sins. Jesus is the only way to have a relationship with God. Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, Savior, Redeemer, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. There is no other name, by which we can be saved. If we confess our sins God will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, because Jesus paid the price for our sin. In the end, hope is found in Christ alone. Are you telling others about Christ?

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