As Christian women we tend to judge ourselves based on that elusive "Proverbs 31 Woman"...you know, the perfect wife who gets out of bed early, cooks, cleans, sews, runs her own business, has perfect kids, never gets angry (like I said, elusive!). I think in the process of time (and being bombarded with this world's feminist thinking) we morphed her into some strong woman's libber who "don't need no man," someone who now looks more like Rosie the Riveter than Caroline Ingalls. I hope to challenge us to see that being the godly, meek lady God calls us to be isn't equal to being a weak, powerless woman.
Feminism is based on the idea that women should be treated as equals to men. What started out as an equal right to vote movement has evolved into a gender war with quotes like "Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult."—Charlotte Whitton. I honestly don't think a day goes by that I don't hear some kind of man-bashing, including wives complaining about their husbands. (Side note: Husband-bashing makes me sad on many levels...firstly because these poor wives must not have an awesome husband like I do...but mainly because, if these people you are husband-bashing to have never met your husband they are thinking he's a total loser...like Homer Simpson-ish... and if he is a total loser, then why did you marry him in the first place? And, if he's not a total loser, then you should be talking about how awesome he is! Remember that song "Accentuate the Positive"? It really works!!) Feminism is something that we, as Apostolic ladies, need to work at keeping out of our lives. It sneaks up on us, it really does. We strive to be godly women by studying scripture, praying, fasting and witnessing and assume we meet the standard God has set up for us as women because of these things, but I would venture to say, if we took the time to look closely at our attitudes, we will see some feminism sneaking in there making itself at home. It's contagious because we are surrounded by it...but we can build an immunity to it with God's help!
Again, I repeat that we often feel we meet the standard set before us as godly women...but what if we raised the bar to becoming godly ladies. What is the difference you ask? Let me show you!
Woman: an adult female person
Lady: a woman who is refined, polite, and well-spoken
Now, if you read the definition of lady and said to yourself (with a snicker), "Ha! That's definitely not me!", or, "Psh! That's nonsense! Why would I want to be refined?" then you probably have a little feministic bug floating around in your subconsciousness that needs to be eradicated, and that can be accomplished by developing lady-like characteristics.
Aside from the famed virtuous woman scriptures, there are many scriptures that teach us how to be godly ladies. One of my favorite passages, and the main subject of this study, is 1 Peter 3:1-6 "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement." (Talk about anti-feminist...calling her husband lord?!)
Notice I highlighted the word "meek". This quality is key to becoming a godly lady. Yes, meekness is a quality, not a flaw. Being meek means having or showing a quiet, gentle, and humble nature. Lest you think meekness is a sign of weakness let's look at some Biblical examples: Sara was meek (1 Peter 3:6) and became the mother of nations. Moses was meek (Numbers 12:3) and lead the Israelites out of bondage. Jesus was meek (Matthew 11:29) and overcame death, hell and the grave! No...meekness is not weakness!! It takes a strong person to stay meek in the face of ridicule. It takes a strong person to stay meek while being falsely accused. It takes a strong person to stay meek instead of "winning" an argument.
God places a high value on a meek and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:4). His Word always talks about meekness in a favorable light; here are a few:
"But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." Psalm 37:11
"The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground." Psalm 147:6
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5
"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Ephesians 4:1-3
If God places such a high value on meekness, why wouldn't you want to work on adopting that quality into your life? I understand there are some women with "strong" personalities...but the Holy Ghost helps us curb our natural tendencies and molds us to become more like Christ so we are without excuse. I'm not saying it's easy to adopt a meek spirit, but it is well worth it! Next time you feel an argument welling up inside you ask yourself, "How would a godly lady handle this?" An argumentative spirit IS a contentious spirit of which we know God does not approve!
Still think meekness is a sign of weakness? Let's reread 1 Peter 3:4-6 in The Message version: "Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in. The holy women of old were beautiful before God that way, and were good, loyal wives to their husbands. Sarah, for instance, taking care of Abraham, would address him as “my dear husband.” You’ll be true daughters of Sarah if you do the same, unanxious and unintimidated." If we chose to cultivate a meek spirit into our lives we will become unanxious and unintimidated. Why? Because instead of adopting the world view into our lives we are realigning ourselves with the Word of God which brings us under the protection of God where we have nothing to be anxious about nor do we need to feel intimidated by anything or anyone! I say...chose meekness!!
Very well written, and true!
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