The Wise Woman

  

Proverbs 14:1   A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

Among women, this verse is perhaps one of the most powerfully preached in Scripture. It serves as a reminder to thoughtfully consider our actions before doing anything that could jeopardize our marriages.

Friends let’s be clear: maintaining our homes takes the grace of God. The world we live in today is a battlefield for Christian marriages, and it's disheartening to witness so many homes being torn apart by foolishness. As women, we have been entrusted with the vital responsibility of building our homes. Our marriages and families are our first ministries.

When God created man, He declared, "It is not good for man to be alone; I will create a help meet for him." He went on to state that a man will leave his parents and cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh (Genesis 2:23-24). This establishes the sacred institution of marriage. Through our unions, we are called to serve God faithfully by being godly wives and parents, raising our children in the ways of the Lord while nurturing our spiritual growth to fulfill our purpose in His greater plan.

Satan is adamantly attacking Christian homes because the family is an extension of the Church of Christ. A broken home leads to a spiritually sick Church, crippling God's work and hindering church growth.

It is evident that one of Satan's ultimate schemes is to destroy God's divine design for humanity by undermining the Christian home. Therefore, the role of a woman in her marriage and home is crucial to fulfilling God's purpose for His Church.

Here are three ways a wise woman can build her home:

1. A wise woman must maintain a positive attitude.

2. A wise woman must speak wisely and kindly (Proverbs 31:26, 21:9).

3. A wise woman must lead by example, embodying the values she desires to instill.

Before diving into these points, let’s define the term "house" in its scriptural context.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a "house" is a building that serves as living quarters for one or several families, a shelter, or a refuge.

In Proverbs 14:1, "building a house" refers to the inhabitants—the family unit, which typically consists of the husband, wife, and children. This indicates that a wise woman must dedicate her time, skills, and God-given resources to nurture her home according to His will and purpose.

Recently, my husband unexpectedly complimented me on being a good wife. Curious about his remarks, I asked him why he felt that way. He explained that he had been hearing his friends talk about their frustrations with wives who are often discontent and unappreciative. This made him appreciate how fortunate he is to have a partner who is grateful and positive. It highlighted the significance of fostering an atmosphere of appreciation in our marriage.

3. A wise woman must set the right example
   A wise woman can significantly improve her marriage and home by practicing what she preaches. Not only should she teach and train her children in the way of the Lord, but she must also live by example, being someone, they can emulate. A woman who quarrels or fights with her husband in front of her children is not setting a good example. Children learn not only from what we teach them but are also quick to mimic what they see. Therefore, it is essential for us as women to be conscious of our children's presence at all times.

We can also enhance our marriages by following the guidance of Ephesians 5:22a and 5:33b. "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." The Lord has made man the covering and head of the household, giving husbands authority over their wives, while man remains under the authority of Christ. To have a successful marriage and home, we need to obey the laws and principles of God.

The verse 5:33b states, "...and the wife see that she reverences her husband." If you truly love your husband, you will not belittle or disrespect him in any way. You must not oppose his will, but instead, you should honor and respect him through your actions and words.

Recently, we had a woman of God minister at our local church who delivered a powerful message about being "submissive." She shared her testimony about how the Lord dealt with her until she was finally able to submit completely to her husband. She emphasized that since the husband is the head of the wife and Christ has authority over the man, any message from the Lord for the family goes through the man. Therefore, it is important for wives to listen to their husbands and pray for them at all times for their spiritual growth. 

She recounted instances where her husband said, "Honey, I am not comfortable with this decision; let's not take it." In such cases, she emphasizes that we should listen to them. She shared how there were times when her husband advised her against certain actions, and she went ahead anyway, only to suffer the consequences. The revelation came to her when the Holy Spirit ministered to her, saying, "Listen to your husband." If your husband is wrong, it is for the Lord to handle him and take action. 

By submitting to and reverencing our husbands as per God's order, we fulfill our part as wives, which allows God to answer our prayers. This obedience can greatly influence our spiritual well-being. Today, this woman of God has been married for about 20 years and enjoys her marriage every day as a result of her changed attitude.

Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray that you will give us the grace to become wise women who build our homes and let every daughter of zion whose marriage today have been destroyed out of foolishness be repaired and restored by you this day in Jesus' name.  Amen