Woman of Honor

What does it look like to be a woman of honor? A woman of honor is someone whose life is characterized by being ~ highly respected ~ above reproach ~ full of integrity ~ humble.

"The ideal woman in Proverbs 31 didn't need to boast about her accomplishments. She didn't plan and work diligently so that she could brag about her home, family, or business successes. She acted from a motivation to honor God and serve others. No one who observed her lifestyle could fail to recognize her godly character. She lived with the quiet confidence that, whatever others thought of her, her actions spoke for themselves." (from The One Year Women of the Bible by Dianne Neal Matthews)

In Hebrews 13:18 it says, "desire to live honorably in every way." Look at those words again: "desire to live honorably in every way." In every way! That's about as clear as it gets. In your thoughts, in your speech, in your actions and in your desires, are you acting in a way that is honorable? Whew! This is an impossible task apart from Christ. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Jesus has given us everything we need for life and godliness. (See 2 Peter 1:3-4) We have to make the choice each day to ask for His help and then act on what He tells us to do. If we don't, we are like the one described in James 1:22-23. "Anyone who listens to the Word, but does not do what it says is like a man (woman) who looks in a mirror and immediately forgets what he (she) looks like." One commentator explains it this way, it's like someone who looks in a mirror, but does nothing about their appearance.

How can we, as women, live honorably and have lives which are:

• Highly respected -- by our husbands, children, or friends
  Proverbs 31:25-31
• Above reproach -- in our thoughts, speech, actions, desires,
  Psalm 19:14, Ephesians 4:29-32
• Full of integrity -- in our ways, in our decisions
  Psalm 78:72, Proverbs 10:9; 11:3
• Humble -- not seeking our own honor,
  but continually looking to the interests of others
  Psalm 115:1, Proverbs 25:27; 27:2
  

It begins with an examination of our heart. "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? "I, the LORD, search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man (woman) according to his (her) conduct, according to what his (her) deeds deserve." (Jeremiah 17:9-10) In Hebrews 4:13, it says, "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."

Begin right now by asking God to examine your heart and show you the area(s) that are keeping you from being a woman of honor. Give that area(s) to the Lord and ask His forgiveness. "Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD and You forgave the guilt of my sin." Psalm 32:5

Lord,
I desire to be a woman of honor in every area of my life. As You have shown me those area where I am weak, fill me with Your strength and grace. I KNOW that Your grace is sufficient and Your power is made perfect in my weakness. I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9