Skip to main content

Are You a Proverbs 21 Woman or a Proverbs 31 Woman?

The Biblical Book of Proverbs has LOTS to say about what a Godly woman looks like. And a few examples of what she doesn’t look like. Proverbs 21 has a couple of kinda harsh things to say about this kind of woman.
Here’s what I mean by a Proverbs 21 woman:
It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home. Proverbs 21:9
also…
It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife. Proverbs 21:19
Yeesh! Who needs counseling here, the wife or the husband? Haha!
So let’s get into what I mean by comparing these two women.
The Proverbs 31 woman (she’s got it all together) simultaneously encourages and intimidates me… but the Proverbs 21 woman? Ha! I grit my teeth a little to admit this, but she sure reminds me of… ME, especially in my first year of marriage! (Sorry, honey!)
I’ve grown since that difficult learning curve –  from being a college student *with a killer case of Mononucleosis!* and planning my wedding to being a homemaker, wife, and having a full-time career. It was a jump that I don’t think anyone could have been prepared for… it’s a lesson that most people can’t really learn the easy way. I think the first year of marriage is difficult for a lot of people.
I do feel that I understand the Proverbs 31 woman better than ever- after all, her list of achievements isn’t a daily occurrence but more of a highlight reel – but if you’re just like me 4 years ago, stuck in a frustrating marriage and feeling like no one can hear you? (Me and my husband’s communication skills have changed a lot for the better, I’ll keep thinking about how to summarize those marriage-saving tips for a future post) but until then…


Check out this list I compiled to help summarize the lessons I learned THE extremely hard way.

The qualities of the Proverbs 21 woman:

The Proverbs 21 woman complains
The Proverbs 21 woman is argumentative 
The Proverbs 21 woman is NOT fun to live with
The Proverbs 21 woman feels stuck
The Proverbs 21 woman doesn’t communicate well
The Proverbs 21 woman is dealing with conflict in the WRONG WAY

Compare that to the consistent qualities of the Proverbs 31 woman.

The Proverbs 31 woman is trustworthy
The Proverbs 31 woman works hard
The Proverbs 31 woman helps the poor and needy
The Proverbs 31 woman holds her tongue
The Proverbs 31 woman gives instructions with kindness



Proverbs 21 is the default

It is VERY important for me to note that the Proverbs 21 woman is extremely common. 
As in 100% of all women for all time.
At one time, in the Garden of Eden, Eve was the perfect Proverbs 31 woman, 24/7.
Then Eve was lied to and she fell for that lie. The first human sin allowed for all of humanity to sin- and separate us from God.
God the Father made a way for us to get back in communion with Him, through God the Son. He defeated death and death’s cause- sin, by being the first human (he was 100% human and 100% God simultaneously) to never sin and to bring Himself back to life.
So when you accept these facts and get back in communion with God- God the Father gives you God the Holy Spirit to live inside you. (Even writing that gives me chills.)
The Holy Spirit makes it possible for you to live out Christ’s instructions. The Bible’s instructions. Including Proverbs 31.


From 21 to 31… It’s Definitely Gradual

I’m working through the Holy Spirit to become a woman who is glorifying to God in every way. Especially my marriage. As a Pastor’s wife, my husband and I are watched by a wondering world. Can I live up to the hype of the Proverbs 31 woman? Only through the Holy Spirit.  
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” -2 Corinthians 3:18

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Proverbs Chapter 9 @ Commentary for Proverbs 9 (Proverbs 9:1-18)

Proverbs Chapter 9   1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: 2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. 3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, 4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. 6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. 7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9 Give instruction to a wise man , and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man , and he will increase in learning. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 11 For by ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Proverbs Chapter 23 @ Commentary for Proverbs 23 (Proverbs 23:1-35)

Proverbs Chapter 23 1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: 2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. 3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat. 4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. 6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: 7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. 8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words. 9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words. 10 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: 11 For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee...
Post a Comment
Read more

Proverbs Chapter 18 @ Commentary for Proverbs 18 (Proverbs 18:1-24)

Proverbs Chapter 18 1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. 2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. 3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. 4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. 5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. 6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. 8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. 10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. 11 The rich man's wealth is his strong ...
Post a Comment
Read more