Biblical Femininity

Femininity- dictionary definition- means “having qualities or characteristics traditionally ascribed to women, as sensitivity, delicacy, or prettiness.”

Elizabeth Elliot- “To me, a lady is not frilly, flouncy, flippant, frivolous and fluff-brained, but she is gentle. She is gracious. She is godly and she is giving....”

“If you are a woman, you have the gift of femininity. Very often it is obscured, just as the image of God is obscured in all of us.....”

“Femininity is not a curse. It is not even a triviality. It is a gift, a divine gift, to be accepted with both hands, and to thank God for. Because remember, it was His idea....”

“God’s gifts are masculinity and femininity within the human race and there was never meant to be any competition between them.

God will receive greater glory when women live out their femininity and men live out their masculinity.

Confusion over masculinity and femininity is epidemic. John Piper and Wayne Grudem write: “The consequences of this confusion is more divorce, more homosexuality, more sexual abuse, more promiscuity, more emotional distress and suicide that come with the loss of God-given identity.”

Patricia Ennis writes “the woman desiring to embrace Christian Femininity begins with the presuppositions that God 1) created her in His own image () and 2) designed her to fulfill specific roles ()

Many instructions are given in scripture that explain how a Christian woman can live out her femininity

Helping () exhibiting graciousness (), living a pure life (), dressing modestly (; ), developing a gentle and quiet spirit () submitting to her husband () and teaching the younger women ().

- offers a comprehensive portrait of a woman who lives out Biblical femininity.

It is an acrostic- each verse starting with vs. 10 begins with the Hebrew alphabet and uses all 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

This writing is a literary masterpiece. It appears on the surface to be written to women, but in reality it is really written to appeal to young men. It is telling young men what they should be looking for in a woman…namely a woman that desires and strives to be a biblically feminine.

Right smack in the middle of this proverb in vs. 23 we read… “Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.”

Porcelain Bugatti is a rare car that comes with a price tag of around 2.5 million dollars, it has 1,001 horsepower and can reach speeds of 253 mph or 217 mph with the roof off. It can travel 0-62 in a merely 2.7 seconds.

Virtuous

Who can find? discover or meet by chance. They are rare. You don’t find them by accident.

Abraham’s servant found Rebekah- Abraham’s chief servant was sent out to get a wife for Abraham’s son Isaac- He prays and before he finishes praying Rebekah comes out with her jar on her shoulder () and God answers the prayer of Abraham’s servant.

This woman is godly, she is a servant, she is humble, she is gracious.

Ruth 3:11 ESV

And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman.

Boaz knew about Ruth’s character. He knew that she had a godly reputation.

In contrast we see Rahab the harlot. Her reputation followed her throughout scripture.

A woman lacking virtue will bring shame to her husband and her family.

Proverbs 12:4 ESV

An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.

Trustworthy

Her husband has total confidence in her honesty, integrity. She is reliable in her leadership in the home. She demonstrates loyalty and allegiance to her husband and family.

Her husband feels secure in her love. She is his greatest cheerleader and confidant.

Her integrity suggests her wholeness and completeness. She is who she is. She is not two different people.

One man said to another man- that a woman who is a brunette has a better disposition that a blonde or red-head....and the other man responded that can’t be true, because my wife has been all three and I haven’t noticed any difference.

Her service, her faithfulness, her devotion, her joy, her encouragement.

She doesn’t nag her husband.

She has the ability to nurture those under her care, to help them reach their potential for God.

She trusts in God- that God will meet all of her needs according to his riches in glory.

Married or unmarried, she is looking to the Lord for her strength and confidence.

She can hold her tongue-

Calvin Coolidge- man of few words- attended church without his wife and when he came home his wife asked “What did the pastor preach on today? Calvin Coolidge said “sin”. Well, she was hoping for a little more, so in an effort to get him to elaborate, she asked, “Well, what did he say about it?” He responded, “He’s against it!”

Once at a party a lady made a wager that she would get Calvin Coolidge to say more than 3 words and as the party was nearly over, she realized Mr. Coolidge had not said a word, and she told him about her wager that she would get him to speak more than 3 words to which Mr. Coolidge responded, “You lose.”

Energetic

, , ,

She is talented, she is industrious, works hard, she knows her strengths and weaknesses, she is alert to what is happening around her.

She has a well-managed household.

Strength and power is exerted to support her family.

She sets an example for her children by her efforts and management of her home. Training her children and supervising them.

Physically fit

Proverbs 31:17 ESV

She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.

Good physical condition, healthy. She takes care of her body. She engages in activities that are healthy and proper for her age.

1 Timothy 4:8 ESV

for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

She recognizes her body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

She needs to be healthy to fulfill her God given role in the home.

She seeks to protect her mind and emotions and physical body so she is able to honor the Lord in her work.

Economical

Proverbs 31:18 ESV

She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.

Prov. 31:

Budget and diet are two areas she focuses on. Budgets can be made regardless of income level.

She does not want to waste time or money. She will not spend money frivolously. She doesn’t want to much month and not enough money.

She is a bargain hunter. She can find good deals.

I grew up with a lot of hand me down clothes.

She makes wise decisions in investing her money.