Characteristics Of The Godly Woman

As a young boy, and then a babe in Christ, I didn't have any clue of the kind of major positive influence godly women would have on who I would eventually become. It has only been in the last few years that I have come to truly appreciate godly women and the role they have played in my life. I appreciate them more and more as time goes by.

What is it that made these women "godly women?" Undoubtedly their faithfulness to God's word. Unquestionably their efforts to follow the examples set for them by godly women found in the Scriptures. Looking at some of these examples should not only exhort and further the growth of women, but must also guide men to a greater appreciation for the women in their lives.

To be a godly woman, one must be PATIENT (endure). In Luke 2:36-38 we read of a widow named Anna. She had been widowed at a young age and during an extremely turbulent time in Jerusalem. The apostle Paul would later describe how hard it is for a young widow to keep her faith (1 Tim. 5:11-13). Anna, however, endured the distinctive onslaught of temptation and remained faithful to God in the temple through her old age. As a result, Anna was privileged to be one of the first to see the Christ child, and one of the first to speak of Him to all those who "looked for redemption in Jerusalem."

To be a godly woman, one must be LOYAL. In the book of Ruth, we learn that both Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, are widowed. Despite Naomi's request that Ruth remain in her Moabite homeland while she returns to Jerusalem, Ruth does not abandon her. Though Naomi had become bitter due to the circumstances in her life, Ruth still vowed to follow her, lodge with her, worship with her, and die with her (Ruth 1:16-17). Because of such great loyalty, Ruth had a reputation as a virtuous woman (Ruth 3:11), and was deemed better to have than seven sons (Ruth 4:15).

To be a godly woman, one must be a TEACHER. Paul wrote to Timothy, ". . .from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus"(2 Tim. 3:15). It was Timothy's mother and grandmother, Eunice and Lois, who made sure the child knew the ways of God. Due in part to their teaching, Timothy had a "genuine faith"(2 Tim. 1:5) and the apostle Paul desired his assistance on a journey to spread the gospel (Acts 16:1-3).

To be a godly woman, one must be a STUDENT. How can one teach without first becoming a student? In Luke 10:38-42, Mary sat at the feet of Jesus instead of helping Martha tend to homemaking hospitality. Mary was in need of spiritual sustenance. The benefits she would reap from learning at Christ's feet would undoubtedly benefit others as she would have opportunity to teach them.

These qualities briefly discussed only scratch the surface of what it takes to be a godly woman. Regrettably, women who do strive to live as godly women are often taken advantage of by those closest to them. If you desire to be a godly woman, don't get discouraged. Continue seeking after God's will found in the Bible. Your family may not respect, appreciate, honor or uphold you for your efforts, but God the Father certainly will.

PJ Chapman