GRACE – A Wise Woman
“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”
~ Proverbs 14:1
GRIEF(S)
I am very interested in building a godly home, and I don’t want to turn my husband off to God by being religious. Tell me how to be wise by Gently Radiating A Christ-like Example.
RESPONSE
It’s easy to get so caught up in the first reactions that cause a woman to be foolish in a situation. Underneath many of our responses are underlying values that motivate our actions, and particularly our speech: some learned, some adapted through our environment, and some that we should throw out and begin to build new ones based on God’s Word! Hiding God’s Word, the Bible, in your heart and mind – from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21- is the best place to start. There is Godly wisdom printed from the first page to the last. Have a general idea about what God has to say morally on any given subject if you don’t feel inclined to memorize scripture. You could read through the Bible in a year; Becky Tirabassi has a wonderful plan at her website, www.changeyourlifedaily.
AFFIRM
Following Christ is following His Living Example by applying the scriptures as wisely as He did in modeling them for us, so that we can do the same in everything we do in our daily lives. The Proverbs are a good place to start, since they refer to wise women and foolish women, making the point that in wise women there is strength of character and successful results, and that in foolish women there is the susceptibility of being stupid and ignorant and suffering the consequences of poor choices.
In Genesis 3:6, Eve succumbs to the appeal of the fruit on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and the desire for gaining the wisdom it promised. She and Adam had already been told by God not to eat of it ~ not even giving God the benefit of the doubt that he might have something better planned for them ~and in a foolish state of whimsy, disobeyed God, ate it, and shared the fruit with her husband! Their disobedience caused their descendants (us!) to have to make choices that are wise or foolish, or right and wrong, usually according to the human standards we set for ourselves.
God wanted their complete attention and obedience so He could offer them the other important tree in the Garden ~ the Tree of Life. Genesis 2:9 depicts this tree as a picture of the Lord Jesus.
“God’s purpose for people hasn’t changed from His design in the Garden of Eden. He still wants us to find our source in His life, not in laws dictating right and wrong.”
God’s definition of wisdom is told clearly in Job 28:28,
“The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”
When we understand who God is and have a reverent and worshipful attitude toward Him as the ruler of the universe – we are wise; we have wisdom! Through the power of the Holy Spirit of Christ living within us, we have the mind of Christ.
The New Testament affirms repeatedly that Jesus is Life. The reason a person possesses eternal life when he is a Christian is that Christ lives within him. To receive Him is to receive Life!
CONNECT
Receiving Christ is receiving Abundant Life as shown in John 10:10. Abundant life for a woman is to be A Wise Woman who:
- Knows who she is
- Knows the Truth
- Thinks about, speaks, and acts on Truth
- Trusts God, Prays, Listens, Obeys, and Loves
- Seeks, receives, and applies God’s Words of encouragement in her life
- Chooses life
- Is content
- Knows who is in control
- Guards her tongue
- Recognizes the devil’s schemes and Refuses to become involved in them
- Makes wise choices based on God’s Wise Words in Scriptures
- And many more you can name!
Jesus spoke to Martha in Luke 10:42 when she was complaining about Mary sitting at his feet and listening to his instructions and not helping her with preparations that had to be made. He said, “only one thing was needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
EQUIP
Right living doesn’t come by following a list of rules. Right living simply flows out of our union with Jesus Christ, our oneness with Him through the continual infilling of the Holy Spirit by presenting ourselves to Him as we prayerfully read His Word. His life is living within us and He is living out His life through us.
“God doesn’t want to be the most important thing in your life. He wants to Be Your Life!” (quote by Beth Moore)
GRACE Gem:
How would your life change if you started feasting from the Tree of life instead of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?
“…Only one thing is needed. ______has chosen what is better.” (your name here)
Written By: Candy Davison
Resources:
*This is a summary of ‘A Wise Woman’ by Candy Davison, Women’s Ministry Director, Sandy Cove Bible Conference, for G.R.A.C.E., November, 2008
The Bible: Proverbs 4:6-9; Proverbs 9:13-18; Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10; Job 28:20-28;
1 Cor 1:24-30; 1 Cor 2:6-16; Luke 10:38-40; Matt 22:37-38; John 1:28-33; John 12:3 and 7
Genesis 2:9; Philippians 4:8; Luke 10:40-42
**Book, Grace Talk by Steve McVey, Harvest House Pubslishers