Sunday, February 22, 2009
Where Did She Go?
(Proverbs 31:1-10)
King Lemuel (regarded by some commentators as a pen name for King Solomon), perhaps in despair of prevailing cultural conditions, looked around the vastness of his realm and questioned, “Who can find a virtuous woman?” It may have been that virtue had given way to vice in the matriarchy of his day. It may have been that old-fashioned standards had been jettisoned for new models of femininity and motherhood. Whatever the reason, Lemuel laments the rarity of genuine virtue among the woman of his day.
His lament is “ripped from the headlines” of contemporary America! Virtue, it seems, has been tossed upon America’s cultural ash heap—along with modesty, decency, and chastity. What’s worse, the professing church is not far behind culture in rewriting the standards for godly ladies.
Just what is virtue? The dictionary answer is as good as any: “The quality of being morally good or righteous.” Perhaps that sounds a little prudish to our licentious culture. “Prudish” or not, it is Bible.
How may virtue be made practical in a woman’s life? Test yourself—your speech, attire, attitude, and motives—by asking yourself “Does ________ reflect moral goodness and righteousness?” And remember, if it’s doubtful, it’s dirty.
Showing posts with label modesty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label modesty. Show all posts
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wisdom for the Wife - 5
Thursday, February 26, 2009
High Fashion
(Proverbs 31:19-23)
Ladies love fashion! New clothes, new shoes, new pocket books—new anything can bring a smile to the face and a lilt to the step (not to mention a “hit” to the wallet). Ladies enjoy sprucing themselves up—God made it that way, and men like it that way! Ladies, it’s OK, while emphasizing the “hidden man of the heart,” to catch your husband’s eye!
In fact, the virtuous woman did just that. Her clothing was sumptuous—“silk and purple” (22). She wore the finest she could afford, augmenting her natural attractiveness with modest, albeit trendy, clothing and accessories. In short, the virtuous woman was not dowdy.
In some Christian circles, dowdiness is the order of the day—often being confused with “modesty.” Simply put, the biblical virtue of modesty may be defined as “clothes that cover but do not cling.” There is plenty of room for fashion in that definition! Therefore, it is not necessary for virtuous women to dress as if they just stepped off the set of “Little House on the Prairie.”
Quite to the contrary, the virtuous woman’s husband is “known in the gates” as a man who married a “trophy” wife, one who keeps herself neat, sweet, and petite! Can fashion reflect virtue? Proverbs says it can and does! What should you do now, ladies? Preacher’s advice: Shop till you drop!
High Fashion
(Proverbs 31:19-23)
Ladies love fashion! New clothes, new shoes, new pocket books—new anything can bring a smile to the face and a lilt to the step (not to mention a “hit” to the wallet). Ladies enjoy sprucing themselves up—God made it that way, and men like it that way! Ladies, it’s OK, while emphasizing the “hidden man of the heart,” to catch your husband’s eye!
In fact, the virtuous woman did just that. Her clothing was sumptuous—“silk and purple” (22). She wore the finest she could afford, augmenting her natural attractiveness with modest, albeit trendy, clothing and accessories. In short, the virtuous woman was not dowdy.
In some Christian circles, dowdiness is the order of the day—often being confused with “modesty.” Simply put, the biblical virtue of modesty may be defined as “clothes that cover but do not cling.” There is plenty of room for fashion in that definition! Therefore, it is not necessary for virtuous women to dress as if they just stepped off the set of “Little House on the Prairie.”
Quite to the contrary, the virtuous woman’s husband is “known in the gates” as a man who married a “trophy” wife, one who keeps herself neat, sweet, and petite! Can fashion reflect virtue? Proverbs says it can and does! What should you do now, ladies? Preacher’s advice: Shop till you drop!
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