My daughter Margie and I were speaking one day about several special ladies who are outstanding examples for us. Margie turned to me and said, “Mom, they are really women of God.” I have often thought, since our conversation, that to become a godly woman is the most exciting, difficult and rewarding challenge I will ever face in my life. The choices I make now will eventually determine where I end up. We are all in the process of learning to make mindful choices that will help ourselves, and those we influence among our families and brethren, to “seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness” as our first priority—instead of just going with the flow.
And, because we are learning to be consistently praying, studying and meditating on God’s Word, we should daily be coming more in tune with our godly calling and our purpose. Dr. Meredith has often pointed out that if we are Christians, we will be developing the very mind of Christ, as Philippians 2:5 states: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” That is why we have to be different than our relatives and neighbors, and we will not just do what feels good or seems right at the moment. In meditating on how better to be a godly woman, I have reflected on several character traits of the godly women from whom I am learning.
1. Godly women are not easily moved by peer pressure
Peer pressure affects all of us when we allow ourselves to be too easily influenced by and overly concerned with what our family, friends or neighbors think or say about us. As we grow in becoming godly women, we are becoming more and more responsive to God’s Word, and His Spirit. While approval and being approved is important to every one of us, we have the awesome understanding as Christians that, as part of the very Church and Work of God, we already have the approval of our Father in Heaven! 1 Thessalonians 2:4 reminds us that “...we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.” This understanding can give us great encouragement as godly women, helping us to stay true to our beliefs, and develop the inner strength to handle opposition.
We know that for every one of us, there will be daily pressures—whether from our families, jobs, friends or all types of media influence—to compromise our moral values. We, however, have spiritual backup! Our loving Father desires, as Ephesians 3:16 promises, that we can “according to the riches of His glory” be “strengthened with might through His Spirit….”
2. Godly women understand that who they are is not defined by what they have
Yes, there are people out there who think if they die with the most “toys” they will win. It is hard to imagine what they have actually won by spending their energies in getting, and then showing off their “stuff” in an attempt to feel important or make others envious. They, too, will end up in a box in the ground, or ashes on the wind. We may not all have million-dollar homes, lots of cars, couture clothing and other material possessions. But, we know who we are, because the Bible shows us that we are future royalty, and heirs of the Kingdom of God. We now have the astonishing gift of being the daughters of the Most High Creator God, and part of the future bride of the King of all kings. This is described in wonderful detail in Dr. Meredith’s powerful booklet entitled Your Ultimate Destiny.
God does want us to have good things, and as Christ says in John 10:10, He wants us to have life more abundantly. We will often find that God will bless us, as He did Abraham and Job, more than we would ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). Mr. Ames has also reminded us that we are to be recapturing true values, which includes having good quality food, clothing and homes as we are able.
By sharing some of what God has blessed us with in order to help preach the gospel, to help those in need, and to show generous hospitality to our wonderful brethren, we are receiving blessings now. Malachi 3:10 describes how God will “pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.” We can also look forward to the awesome future blessings we are promised in Matthew 19:29; “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.”
3. Godly women do not gossip
Godly women do not spend their time and energy talking negatively about other people or situations. James 4:11 clearly teaches us: “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren,” and Proverbs 10:18 reminds us that, “whoever spreads slander is a fool.” So, women of God talk instead about what they are learning as Christians, and their goals, hopes and aspirations. If they are taking a Living University class, or reading helpful books (beginning with the Word of God), they will be sharing exciting and inspiring things they are discovering through their classes and readings.
As godly women, we will employ the teaching of the Apostle James, and we will occasionally share with one another the trials or difficulties we are experiencing, so that others can pray for us (James 5:16), and so we can obtain encouragement and counsel from our older or long-time members. We also will notice if other members seem lonely or discouraged, and we will make it a point to call or visit with them. Malachi 3:16 (KJV) says we will be speaking often with one another, if we want to be those godly jewels!
Many of our ladies also get together to discuss how they can serve by organizing the best way of sending food, and providing care for children of members who are sick or in the hospital. They plan activities for our children, and organize special church activities and decorations for church socials. Lots of us also discuss world news, and what is happening in our country, and we can help each other to watch world events and Biblical prophecies taking place around us (Matthew 24:42; 25:13). There are certainly more than enough interesting, exciting and very good things for us to be talking about as Christian women.
4. Godly women do not listen blindly
Sometimes it seems this whole society is Facebooking, tweeting and hash-tagging all kinds of things that may or may not be true based on partial or distorted information, and real or Photoshopped pictures. We who hear politically slanted newscasters and speeches on nearly every news network. Politicians try to stir up racial and religious hatred to gain votes or popularity. As godly women, we can use patience and wisdom in gathering many facts, before coming to a conclusion. We who have studied the Proverbs should remember that the person who answers a matter before hearing all of it is called a fool (Proverbs 18:13).
When a friend or family member comes to me with complaints or anger against other people or situations, I try to remember Proverbs 18:17: “The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him.” Even though it is hard not to show favoritism or partiality to family and friends, you and I are in training to be kings and priests. So it will help to be studying and applying scriptures such as Deuteronomy 10:17; “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.” And also, Deuteronomy 16:19, “You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.”
I also strive to follow Paul’s instruction in Philippians 2:14 to, “Do all things without complaining and disputing.” As godly women, we know that if we fail to take the time to pray, study, meditate and learn more facts, we will not have spiritual understanding to see the big picture.
5. Godly women do not see a failure as a defeat
Proverbs 24:16 tells us that, “a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again.” it helps a lot to remember that on the path to God’s Kingdom there are always bumps in the road. Because we have committed ourselves to following the straight path, and entering by the narrow gate leading to the kingdom (Matthew 7:13, 14), we will often be swimming against the current, and it will surely not be easy or fun all the time. It is encouraging to me to know that even the Apostle Paul said there were times when he did things he did not want to do as a Christian. It is also very encouraging to remember that, as Philippians 4:13 reminds us, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
We are not alone when we are suffering a painful trial. Christ plainly told us that in the world all of us will have tribulation (John 16:33). The Apostle Paul also stated clearly in 2 Timothy 3:12 that “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” We are called out together as “firstfruits” and those who are stronger are able to help bear others’ burdens (Romans 15:1) and support one another. God placed us in the body of Christ to support and help one another as we read in 1 Corinthians 12:26: “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”
As godly women, we have repented and—having had the laying on of hands by Christ’s obedient ministers—we are now receiving God’s help and guidance through His Holy Spirit to change our thoughts and actions. This means that we need not waste our time in worry about future problems, or regrets for past mistakes. We can also be confident that God will complete His good work in us, as Paul mentioned in Philippians 1:6. And we, as women of God, will move forward, “forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead”—and we will, with Christ in us, “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13–14).