"Every wise woman buildeth her house; but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands." Proverbs 14:1
I think we can all agree that none of us wants to be the foolish woman described in Proverbs 14. There are the obvious things such as anger and arguing, but what are some everyday things that we overlook and are not so obvious that might be tearing down our homes without us knowing? Let us take a look:
1. Putting other things before God.
2. Children more important than husband. Husband neglected.
3. Ministry at church (or other things) becomes an idol and first priorities are disregarded.
4. Not staying within your budget.
5. Allowing emotions to control her (and not God's word).
6. Discontentment with the Lord's provisions.
7. Listening to lies from the enemy.
8. Being so enticed by the world (through music, media, magazines, tv shows, you name it) that it leads you to sin
9. Focus on self or self pity.
10. Not considering your husband/family before taking on new commitments.
11. Not managing our homes well.
12. Neglecting to train our children.
13. Never being home.
13. Gossip and slander.
14. Not filtering everything through scripture.
15. Coming up with excuses as to why we do the above.
This list is not obviously not exhaustive as many more could be added to it. But I see these as being some of the main areas women struggle with. This list is not meant to discourage but instead it can be a starting point for assessing how we live our lives on a day-to-day basis. When we are actively plucking down our homes we are not exalting God. Titus 2 actually teaches women to be 'discreet, chaste, keepers at home, obedient to their own husbands so that the word of God be not blasphemed.'
Amazing, is it not, to think that our actions are so powerful that they can actually exalt God or blaspheme His Word. I don't want to go through life knowing that I had a hand in blaspheming His Holy Word. Back in biblical times, people were stoned for being blasphemers!!! Instead of being in the category of those being stoned, us woman can be home builders. Home builders who lift up the Word of God just not in word but in deed. See, our lives need to preach the gospel. We can talk until we are blue in the face but are actions are louder than words. Actions require commitment and self government. Actions require servanthood and a dying to self.
So where ever you might be on this list, ladies----let us strive to be home builders. Building up our homes for Christ and His glory alone.
"The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And will all your acquiring, get understanding. Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a garland of grace. She will present you with a crown of beauty." Proverbs 4:7-9
17 comments:
Thank you for this very much needed post. I especially like what you said about priorities: how easy it is to get sidetracked, and how important to keep our focus!
What an excellent post! I found you via a LAF link. That scripture in Titus about not blaspheming the word of God sends a clear warning to all of us who are wives. What a pity this sort of stuff is never preached nowadays.
Thankyou for the reminder, it's so often the little foxes that spoil the vines.
Claire (from Australia)
Thank you for this excellent post. Reading your writings and other blogs like this are truly uplifting, and give me so much to think about, things that had never occurred to me before. I've found myself referring back to your thought-provoking ideas in so many more aspects of my life, aspects that I never considered to be a part of church or god.
Much love.
Dear Claire,
I did not publish your post, but would like to share with you that biblically there is order--God-husband-wife. I invite you to examine the scriptures in regards to this matter.
Many blessings...
I am aware of the order of which you informed me, and I'd like to share with you that I do read the Bible.
I just simply don't agree with it. It just seems to me that it's HIGHLY coincidental that the bible promotes a hierarchy with males above women, and was written by men.
Also, I am aware that my post would conflict with your belief structure, and possibly a majority of those that read your post, however, its only in the face of something that defies your belief do you really know if you will stay true to what you believe.
You obviously have, and thats fine, but others have not had this opportunity (at least with regards to my post that was deleted).
Silencing my opinion by simply deleting it not only denies me of a possible learning experience but denies others the right to oppose my view and share their own.
Dear Clair,
I am thankful that you are sharing your thoughts, but for lack of time to fully go into details with you and not wanting to debate this topic on any level I will instead point you to the site 'Ladies Against Feminism' at www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com---
there you will find many articles that will support biblical teaching in the face of popular worldviews such as the one you've pointed out.
The deleted the first post because I do not allow certain words to be used on this blog especially if used in any type of profane way.
I will be praying for you on your journey of finding truth.
Many blessings...
Clair,
I have a resource that I believe would be very insightful for you and presented in a way that you will enjoy.
It's a message preached by Pastor Mark Driscoll, entitled "Women and Femininity." It is excellent and done in such a way as to not offend most people who at minimum, believe the bible is the word of God.
Without the scriptures as our guiding source, we are left firmly grounded in mid-air.
To access the free download along with the sermon notes, go to http://media.marshillchurch.org/
then click the following:
1. sermons
2. practical topics
3. women
4. women and femininity
Hope you do it and enjoy it!
Steve Fuentes
Steve Fuentes thank you for your reference. I'll be sure to look into that.
Mrs. June Fuentes, I'm sorry, I was unaware that I swore. I don't recall swearing, however I think I can recall referencing parts of the human anatomy, although they weren't 'dirty' words, simpley there actual name....they weren't used to insult anyone...merely to make a point.
However, I still believe you should have allowed my post to stay visible, as I would have absolutely LOVED to hear feedback.
Hi Clair,
I posted your latest comment on my blog so that I may respond to you appropriately.
Please visit me at:
www.themaledomain.blogspot.com/
2006/11/are-you-masculine.html
Copy and paste the above address in to your browser, and it should take you to the post on placed in on.
Thanks
I just wanted to address Claire. Just wanted to point out to her the many, MANY woman who are submissive to there husbands and yet do not think of themselves as belittled. I myself feel empowered and priveliged to be in the role that God has ordained for woman. Because of it, I am provided for, protected and loved. And in regards to the bible being written by men... it was under the insparation of God himself. And were it only from a man's standpoint, I doubt very much that they would include that they(men) are to treat us with respect, to love their wives, to be willing to die for their wives and children, to be the ones who slave away in the workforce to provide for our needs, to treat us as equal partners in the grace of God... the list goes on.I'm glad he has made me a woman, for God has put hard labor and ultimate responsability on the man. The wife does her part out of gratidude for that role.I am not offended that I submitt to my husband, (nor does it make me a doormat),It is a high honour.No, we are not one better than the other, we are two into one. Both sides holding up to their end of the partnership to work out a most beautiful vision; that of an example of heaven on earth and christ himself.
To Anonymous - You have very well stated the heart of so many women. I work in an environment rampant with feminism where a majority of management is women. They completely can't understand how I LONG stay home with our first-born when he arrives to serve my husband and raise our children. They don't understand how I can give up a high paying job and a "career" for something so "small." I , on the other hand, know I will never be content doing anything other than what God has called me to.
It is completely amazing how well a marriage and a home works when two equals are functioning in their distinctly unique roles...nothing short of a miracle. So much more to say, so little space to write. I'm grateful that God has placed amazing people in our lives that challenge us to seek HIS way in the Word, so we can reap the blessings of living it out.
thank you for this. great exhortation!
Great article. I copied it and put it on my blog (giving you credit, of course) and made a link back to your blog here.
I want to thank you for this article. My girlfriend and I had a conversation about who we are and our lack of knowledge being wives. She shared with me what she had heard concerning black men and how we as black women do not know how to treat them and honor them. With our tongues we tear them down. I went to 1 Peter3:1-7, Psalm 51:1-19, Proverbs 14:1. In my searching I came across your article and shared it with her and we REPENTED to the Lord and asked him to help us. Thank you we both agreed we got to change.
The Holy Spirit asked this question, " whose daughter are you Sarah or Jezebel? God bless you.
I want that, kind of anointing. I want to love and honor my husband as the Lord says. Please pray for me as I die to myself. In Jesus name.
I struggle with managing my home and time well, but by God's merciful grace I will learn how to get better at this. May more and more women long to become a wise woman that builds her house instead of tearing it down.
Post a Comment