WHAT THE BIBLE HAS TO SAY ABOUT BEING A WOMAN

A while back I was chatting with some friends and made a comment that went something like this: "I wish the bible was more clear about what we should be doing as women. It doesn't say that much about us." Then it occurred to me that I should go home and test that statement. And guess what? I was totally wrong. It says a heck of a lot about the roles God designed us to fill. It's not all in one spot and it took some digging. But He weaves a clear, intricate picture of the unique calling of womanhood in both the Old and New Testaments. 

So, I wrote it all down in a list. I know what you're thinking- "another list?! No thanks." Let me just say that I totally hear you! But ladies, if there is one list that we can't live without, it's this one. I'll be the first to admit that I'm prone to get busy, let my eyes drift away from Christ, and get lost in the thick of daily life. And if you're anything like me, I bet you're all too familiar with this struggle. So as beloved women and image-bearers of our good and gracious God, let's link arms, dive into the Word, and press on together!

WHAT THE BIBLE HAS TO SAY ABOUT BEING A WOMAN

First and foremost, whether we're single, married, have children, or don't have children, we as women are created “in the image of God”. (Ref. Genesis 1:27)

IF WE ARE MARRIED:

We are a gift and “a helper” to our husbands.

(Ref. Genesis 2:20)

YOUNGER WOMEN are Instructed to:

-Marry (see note below)

-Bear children

-Manage the house

-Give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully (Ref. 1 Timothy 5:14)

            -Respect our husbands (Ref. Ephesians 5:33b)

-Love our husbands

-Love our children

-Be discreet

-Be chaste

-Be homemakers

-Be good

-Be obedient to our own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed

 (Ref. Titus 2:4-5)

-Be temperate

-Be faithful in all things (Ref. 1 Timothy 3:11)

-NOTE: Not all women are called to marriage and singleness is a gift as well.
 (Ref. 1 Corinthians 1:7-8)

An OLDER WOMAN is Praised if She:

-Is well reported for good works

-Has brought up children

-Has lodged strangers

-Has “washed the saints feet” (or other menial duties done with a humble servant's heart).

-Has relieved the afflicted

-Has diligently followed every good work (Ref. 1 Timothy 5:9-10)

-Is reverent in behavior

-Is not a slanderer

-Is not given to much wine

-Is a teacher of good things

-Admonishes the young women to love their husbands, children... (see Titus 2:4-5 and Titus 2:3)

THE PROVERBS 31 WOMAN:

-Does him [her husband] good and not evil all the days of her life.

-Willingly works with her hands

-Brings food from afar (she puts effort into resourcing “the best” for her family)

-Rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household

-Girds herself with strength and strengthens her arms (she’s the opposite of lazy!)

-Her lamp does not go out at night/she perceives her merchandise is good (she’s industrious and works with her hands)

-Extends her hand to the poor (she is generous)

-Is not afraid of snow for her household for they are clothed in scarlet (she is prepared)

-Makes tapestry for herself, her clothing is fine linen and purple (she takes pride in her appearance)

-Makes linen garments and sells them (she’s industrious)

-Watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

-Is "a woman who fears the Lord" and for that, "she shall be praised".

(Ref. Proverbs 31:10-31)

IF WE HAVE CHILDREN, WE ARE TO:

-Lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that the days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land… (Ref. Deuteronomy 11:18-21a)

-Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. (Ref. Proverbs 22:6)

-Does not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. (Ref. Proverbs 23:13) 

IN A PUBLIC OR CHURCH SETTING, WE ARE TO:

-Adorn ourselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation…(Ref. 1 Timothy 2:9)

-Learn in silence with all submission (Ref. 1Timothy 2:11)

This definitely isn't a complete list, but it's enough to keep us busy, right? My love, encouragement, and prayers are with all of us dear sisters who strive daily to walk worthy of the calling we've received in Christ Jesus, to remember His goodness and truth, to cling to Him even in the midst of our failures. But if you're not sure where you fit into all of this, or if you fit in at all, it's okay! We've all been there. See how He made me part of His family and set my feet on the right path. If there's one thing I know, it's that He wants a real, intimate, saving relationship with every last one of us. Especially you!