In Scripture, God is clear about His deepest desires for how his children should be in this world.
When we consider the characteristics of a godly woman, we must know that the entire truth of Scripture applies to her.
So, for example, we would expect a godly woman to exhibit all the fruits of the Spirit.
However there are places in Scripture that speak specifically about a godly woman. In this article I will highlight a few of these verses and briefly discuss them.
I will not be including Proverbs 31 in this discussion for two reasons:
Firstly, Proverbs 31 focuses on what a wife could look like and that’s a different discussion
Plus, Proverbs 31 is so thoroughly used to talk about women when there are so many other Scriptures.
So, let’s jump in:
H2 Characteristics of a godly woman
H3 Godly women have good reputation
Ruth 3:11 – And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman.
Boaz said these words to Ruth. He uses the word worthy to describe her. This is commentary on her character.
Other words for worthy are excellent, virtuous, noble, honorable, strong and good.
Are you getting the picture?
A godly woman has a reputation that precedes her and a character that is beyond reproach.
She can be trusted because she has a track record of being trustworthy. People, especially men, know that she is worth every bit of respect that comes to her.
When people talk about her in her absence, they have good things to say about her.
H3 Godly women are tactful and discreet
Proverbs 11:22 – Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.
A godly woman is beautiful both inside and out. This verse uses a graphic analogy to describe a woman who is physically gorgeous but is woefully lacking in deportment and decorum.
Women in Israel back then wore nose rings. It added beauty to her appearance much like wearing makeup today.
But even such beauty would be rejected if the woman’s behavior was lacking in discretion. The author compares her to a pig wearing a nose ring.
In Jewish culture a pig is not only an unclean animal. It also represents a personality that cannot appreciate good things or the finer things in life.
A woman without discretion is one who is lacking in wisdom, judgement, modesty, self-control, manners, refinement and good taste. The godly woman is the opposite of this.
A godly woman is wise, sensible, controlled, respectful, dignified, and refined. She has good judgment and carries herself with godly pride and grace. She attracts people by her appearance and beauty but captures them by her deportment and decorum.
H3 Godly women prioritize God
Luke 10:42 – But one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.
A godly woman prioritizes her relationship with Jesus. This verse captures Jesus’ commentary on Mary’s decision to sit at his feet instead of being busy with catering and hospitality duties.
The two women (Martha and Mary) loved Jesus dearly. They both demonstrated two important aspects of the Christian life: relationship and action or works. However, putting works ahead of relationship is putting the cart before the horse.
Mary sought relationship and Jesus commends her choice. The godly woman understands that Jesus wants her attention and her heart. Spending time with him must come before doing work for him.
Why?
Because relationship cannot be taken. When her body can no longer carry her and she is not able to work, it’s that relationship with Jesus that will keep her in perfect peace. So, she makes time for him.
H3 Godly women practice spiritual disciplines
Luke 2:36-38 – And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
A godly woman practices habits that will nurture her relationship with Jesus and consistently build her faith.
Worshiping, fasting and praying are three habits that create spiritual discipline.
The godly woman understands that spiritual growth doesn’t happen by coincidence. It’s a matter of consistency and intentionality.
Making time for these disciplines might require some serious creativity but the godly woman rises to the occasion because she knows she needs it.
The godly woman teaches and disciples others too. As she grows in her relationship with Jesus, she teaches others about him and brings them along with her on the journey of faith.
H3 Godly women behave appropriately and mentors others
Titus 2:3 – Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good…
This verse highlights three don’ts and one do of mature godly women:
Godly women are not irreverent.
Godly women do not slander.
Godly women do not drink till they are drunk.
And, godly women do teach other women.
Let’s break these down a little.
A godly woman who is reverent will live in holiness. Reverence here has to do with behavior and conduct. It is referring to both the inner and outer life.
This means she speaks well, dresses well, and relates to others with respect and dignity. Her appearance and decorum are appropriate for the various situations and settings in which she finds herself.
A godly woman doesn’t slander or gossip. This behavior means speaking bad things about others, often with the goal and result of destroying their reputation. She understands that such behavior would break God’s heart.
Instead, she keeps quiet if she has nothing good to say. She will defend the dignity and reputation of the person being torn apart in discussions happening behind their backs.
A godly woman doesn’t get drunk. Drinking fermented beverages was a typical part of Jewish life back then, much like life today. But it was also common for people to be “slaves” to the proverbial bottle.
Addiction and alcoholism isn’t just a modern disease. And women, even in the early church, we’re not immune.
Even if she chooses to consume alcohol, the godly woman isn’t controlled by any substance. She doesn’t get drunk and loses all control of herself.
She will not jeopardize her safety by sacrificing her soberness. Her goal is to ensure she always has her best judgement ready to make the best decisions about her best behavior.
Finally, godly women teach other women good things. The godly woman who is aging recognizes her usefulness to God in preparing the next generation of women.
It is her responsibility to mentor younger women. Her life experiences and journey with God has equipped her to pour into the lives of the women coming behind her.
H3 A godly woman cares about both clothes and character
1 Timothy 2:9 – 10 – Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.
This verse is loaded with descriptions of the godly woman. It addresses both her outward appearance and her inner characteristics.
Unfortunately, this particular Bible verse is often misinterpreted. Let’s examine the context a little.
The apostle Paul was writing to the young Timothy who was pastor of a church in Ephesus. Many members of the church were quite wealthy. Worship services became an event where women tried to outdo each other with pricey, flamboyant hairstyles, the most expensive, trendy and seductive outfits and flashy, eye-catching jewelry.
This was a problem:
Instead of the focus being on God and worship, these women were not only focused on themselves but they were a terrible distraction to those who should be focused on God. The purpose of going to church was defeated.
The sin wasn’t about the clothing, jewelry and hairstyles themselves. It was the condition of their hearts that influenced their behavior at church. Their clothing choices were motivated by ungodly desires.The goal was to show off their status and capture attention. Their woman of God wasn’t thinking about God and his desire when gotten dressed.
When a godly woman gets dressed, her outfit should be tastefully modest. This doesn’t mean she should abandon color or return to the centuries before this one. But she should also not be the center of attraction when she shows up for worship services, or anywhere for that matter.
The godly woman’s clothing is respectable, appropriate, modest, and controlled. The debate on what is considered modest still rages but it’s a distraction from the burden of the verse.
Paul points out that more important than clothing, jewelry and hairstyles is the heart and behaviors of the woman of God. She should not look shabby but her energies should be focused on good works as demonstrated in the lives of women like Ruth, Dorcas, Lydia and others.
Here’s the truth:
When God has the whole heart of his beloved daughter, her clothing, hairstyles and jewelry choices will automatically reflect her love for him and his influence over every aspect of her life.
H3 Godly women serve and help
Romans 16:1-2 – I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.
Acts 9:36 – Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.
In writing about Phoebe, Paul uses the words servant and patron to describe her. Similarly, Tabitha is described as one whose life was full of good works and charity.
These words highlight just how a godly woman should live her life. A godly woman doesn’t live for herself only. She lives a life of kindness, generosity and service to others. She understands that those who are great in God’s kingdom are those who are servants.
Whatever her purpose is, it is going to be catering to the needs of others and solving the problems of others.
Therefore, she is fully engaged in the work of serving others and helping in the spread of the gospel by actively touching the lives of those who find themselves destitute.
She has a heart for the needy, oppressed, disadvantaged, marginalized, and overlooked. Wherever possible, she helps to ease their suffering. She loves on them so they experience the love of Jesus through her.
Her time, gifts, energy and resources are stewarded in such a way that she can contribute to the mission that Jesus left for us to do.
Conclusion
There’s a thread running through this brief discussion. A godly woman has an outer life and an inner life.
Her outer life has to do with dress, behavior and works. Her inner life is her character, attitudes and desires.
Both aspects are under the influence of her love relationship with Jesus. In this way, she is consistent throughout her life and is a witness to the power and presence of God to keep his daughters faithful to him.
Becoming a godly woman is a process that takes a lifetime of transformation. It is daily work with tiny decisions and small steps.
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