ByInternational Women’s Day comes off each year, and it’s such a special day to celebrate women. On behalf of The Bible Daily Network, I want to honour all women who have laboured and continue to help make this world a better place. Here is an open letter to all women to celebrate this special day. Even though you may have read this on International Women’s Day, I presume this article is helpful for all women on any day. Could you share it with a friend to help her?
Helpmeets to men of vision
It’s interesting that the first word God used to describe a woman in the Bible is not “woman” but “helpmeet” (see Genesis 2:18 KJV). So, if God first labelled women as helpmeets, then much of their functionality lies in the ministry of help, not really leadership. That is why many women don’t find it pleasurable to lead families, especially regarding provision and spiritual guidance. Almost every woman (in Christ) wants to marry someone higher than her in godly knowledge, thoughtfulness, finance and vision. And that is not bad, but only natural.
However, God didn’t label the woman as just a helpmeet, but as one for a godly man who loves God in His presence (in Eden) and goes about God’s work (concerning fulfilling divine vision). Dear spinster reading this, one of the most critical areas of your life is handling and processing marriage proposals. If you are not born again, you must be saved. And if you are saved, you must grow in your knowledge of God, which will be needed to decide who you’ll say “I do” in the future. We are no longer in the days when marriages were arranged for ladies as they used to be in the days of the Old. So, don’t joke with your life. Look for the things I listed above before accepting the proposal.
Related: Three Biblical Qualifications for Godly Men to Date.
Focus on inner beauty
As the world expands in media and population, one of the most profound pressures on women, especially young spinsters, is to look presentable physically and in the media space. Hardly will you see some ladies, even those in church, posting godly content on their social media walls. It has always been something else. I’ve watched several ladies subscribe more to secular lessons online than preachers of the Word, which is terrible. Yes, it’s good to look presentable and attractive as a woman. But there is more to life than that.
Never shout at men as a lady, especially your husband (if you are married), pastor and boss. Instead, learn to speak gently.
Exposition of 1 Peter 3:3-4
The Bible says in 1 Peter 3:3-4 (NKJV) that,
[3] “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— [4] rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”
If you skimmed it, please read that again, at a slower pace this time. Verse 4 is very, very important. You see, God’s Word says that as a lady, your adornment (beauty) should not be in
- Your hairstyle
- Wearing of ornaments or
- Wearing fine apparel.
So, it’s clear here. If, as a lady, your whole use of money covers these and not what’s written in verse 4, it means there is a problem with how you’ve prioritised some things in your life. Okay, so what does verse 4 say? In that verse, the Bible says your adornment as a lady should be
- the hidden person in your heart (that is being purified with God’s Word);
- with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
Gentle and quiet spirit
Do you see that? There is more to your life than your physical looks. I like the second one on the list above even more. Why? Because such a gentle and quiet spirit is very precious in God’s sight. See, if you are a lady and you have this, it’s a gem. Never joke with it. As a man, I’ve usually found it weird to interact with ladies who are either not gentle or have a loud spirit. The absence of those two behavioural traits is a complete turnoff, not only for me but also for many men.
God purposely made women physically weaker vessels to help them live by this rule. So, He didn’t make you physically stronger than a man, so you’ll not be engaged in fights and loud talking. Never shout at men as a lady, especially your husband (if you are married), pastor and boss. Learn to speak gently. And if you are a spinster, that attitude can help your mate locate you more easily.
Related: Dear Believing Wife – Learn How The Bible Teaches You To Submit To Your Husband
Emulate the ways of Biblical women
Even though scripture has labelled two great essential character traits every godly lady needs, there is more in the preceding verses. 1 Peter 3:5-6 (NKJV) says,
[5] “For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, [6] as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.”
From the verse above, everything said in 1 Peter 3:3-4 about women was practised by holy women in the Old Testament. That means having a gentle and quiet spirit can sustain your marriage as a wife. The ways of God in scripture are never old. It is still effective to date. Dear lady, emulate the ways of Biblical women as you walk in the ways of God.
You’re a blessing, and I wish you a happy International Women’s Day.
