Title: The Woman I Want to Be
Text: Proverbs 31:10-31
Theme: What is a Proverbs 31 Woman?
Purpose: How do I become a Proverbs 31 Woman?
Read Proverbs 31:10-31
Introduction: How many of you have seen the “I’d rather have a Proverbs 31 Woman Than a Victoria’s Secret Model” video? It’s been on the news, facebook, YouTube…A young man in Texas made this video, because he noticed an alarming trend in our society today. This happened at the time of the big Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show that was televised nationally, and he saw girls posting messages about how they needed to hit the gym, and all the things that should be different about them. It made him realize how much our culture values external beauty, and how important it is for a woman to be more than just a pretty face.
31 Status is another movement, created by young women, who strive to show what the Proverbs 31 Woman looks like today. Their goal is to help other women get to know Him and get to know themselves in a greater way.
(Proverbs 31:1-10 tells us of a woman after God’s own heart. Verse 30 points out that beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. The very beginning of the passage says that a woman of noble character is worth far more than rubies.)
I. What is a woman of noble character?
A. Definition of noble character
*Having or showing qualities of high moral character, such as courage, generosity, or honor: a noble spirit
*The Hebrew word chayil, translated here "noble," or "virtuous" (KJV), means a wife of valor — a strong, capable woman with strong convictions. (http://www.gci.org/bible/poetry/prov31).
(So why would I want to be of noble character?)
B. Reasons to be of noble character
*True beauty is not of the face or body, but the heart, spirit and mind. A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised (Proverbs 31:30).
*Jesus said in Matthew that we are the salt of the earth and that it is important for us to keep our flavor or we will be good for nothing. (Matthew 5:13) This is a very salty woman!
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised (Proverbs 31:30).
(Matthew 5:13) Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
(What are the characteristics that make her salty and noble? What are the things that the Bible specifically mentions?)
II. What are the characteristics of a woman of noble character?
II. What are the characteristics of a woman of noble character?
A. Trustworthy and honorable
B. Prepared and Conscientious
C. Caring and Compassionate
D. Strong and Hardworking
(How do we know a woman of noble character? What does she look like?)
III. What does a woman of noble character look like?
A. Trustworthy and Honorable
*Her husband has full confidence in her (Proverbs 31:11).
*She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life (Proverbs 31:12).
*People see her as honorable (Proverbs 31:25).
(Proverbs 31:11-12) The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
(Proverbs 31:25) Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
B. Prepared and Conscientious
*She rises early and cares for her family (Proverbs 31:15)
*She provides for her family by
-Bringing food (Proverbs 31:14-15)
-Clothing them (Proverbs 31:21-22)
*Her family has warm clothing for the winter months. (Proverbs 31:21)
*Her lamp does not go out at night (Proverbs 31:18)
(Proverbs 31:14-15, 18, 21-22) She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
C. Caring and Compassionate
*She helps those who are in need (Proverbs 31:20).
*She is kind and wise (Proverbs 31:25).
(Proverbs 31:20, 26) She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
D. Strong and Hardworking
*She works willingly (Proverbs 31:3).
*She watches over her family and is not idle (Proverbs 31:27).
(Proverbs 31:3, 27) She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
IV. So what? What does this have to do with me and how do I become this woman? (Does this mean I need to go plant a vineyard and spin my own cloth?)
(First of all, I need to understand that being a Proverbs 31 isn’t about being Martha Stewart, or impossible goals. It is about striving to grow in Christ and be the best that I can be for him.)
A. A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:30)
*A woman who fears the Lord. A woman who loves God, puts God first and is obedient to Him (Matthew 22:37)
Proverbs 31: 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
(That’s who I need to be. A woman who is constantly seeking God’s will for my life, and then following Him in obedience.)
B. I need to be trustworthy and honorable in all of my dealings.
*As a Christian, all eyes are upon me, and I need to show Christ through my actions and attitudes.
*It is my job to be a light to the world (Matthew 5:14-16).
(Matthew 5:14-16) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
C. Prepared and Conscientious
*Have the things your family needs on hand when your family needs them.
-If you live in town, being unprepared means an extra trip to the store, fast food, pizza deliveries, and going out to dinner. If you live in the country, it means your family goes without, or a long and expensive trip to town.
-Make sure your tank is full of gas BEFORE you start out on that long road trip.
*Be frugal with your resources and try to make the most from what you have.
-God has not blessed us with abundance to squander what we have, but to share with others, and to prepare.
-The woman in Proverbs 31 shared with the poor and needy, but she also made sure her family had warm clothing for the winter ahead.
D. Caring and Compassionate
*Jesus told us to love and care for others (Matthew 22:39).
*She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth
forth her hands to the needy (Proverbs 31:20).
E. Strong and Hardworking
*We should not be lazy (Proverbs 19:15, Proverbs 6:6).
-The consequences of laziness can sneak up on us (Proverbs 24:30-24).
*Don’t make excuses, just do (Proverbs 30:25).
Matthew 22:39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Proverbs 19:15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Proverbs 24:30-34 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;1And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
Proverbs 30:25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.
(Above all, as a Proverbs 31 Woman, I understand that it is not an end goal, but a continuous process, learning and growing in Christ, becoming a mature woman of faith, and working not for my glory, but His (Colossians 3:23).
(Colossians 3:23) And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
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