Originally published Monday, 04 May 2020.
If you clicked onto this post, then I know you’re interested in knowing how you can learn more about walking in the beautiful characteristics of this type of woman described in the Bible. But before you take the test, let’s get a little backstory.
It’s important to know that Proverbs 31 starts off with the sayings of King Lemuel. He shares with us words of wisdom that his mother taught him about what type of woman he should allow in his life, as a king.
She says to him in Proverbs 31:2-3, “O my son, O son of my vows, do not waste your strength on women who ruin kings.” After that, she goes on to say what type of woman he should look for and the virtues and characteristics she should possess in Proverbs 31:10-31.
Here is what she taught him…
“Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She finds wool and flax and busily spends it. She is like a merchant ship, bringing her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. Her husband is well-known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.”
Wow! Okay, so here comes the test. I encourage you to print it out and take your time as you pause and reflect before writing down each answer. Each question is derived from this passage of Scripture. After you’ve completed the test, pray over the areas where you feel you need transformation. God is faithful to help. Here goes...
1. Would you consider yourself a virtuous wife (if you’re married) or a woman of virtue (if you’re single) – remember these are biblical characteristics overall?
2. Are you capable of being a good wife? If so, in what ways? (if you’re single, would you consider yourself being a capable wife if God blesses you with a husband?)
3. Are you more precious than rubies? (do you see value in yourself?)
4. If you’re married, can your husband trust you? (if you’re not married, would your future husband be able to trust you considering your characteristics and integrity today?)
5. If you’re married, do you greatly enrich your husband’s life and in what ways? Think about it. Also, if not, how could you better enrich his life now? (if you’re single and desiring to be married, how would you consider greatly enriching your husband’s life?)
6. If you’re married, do you bring your husband good and not harm? (if you’re single would you bring your husband good and not harm?) Meaning having your hubby’s best interest at heart.
7. As it relates to “She finds wool and flax and busily spends it. She is like a merchant ship, bringing her food from afar,” are you industrious (meaning diligent in what you do)?
8. Do you get up early to make breakfast for you and your household? Would you like to? (I do this on Sunday afternoon after church - brunch - they LOVE it!)
9. Do you plan your day’s work/responsibilities for your child or children, employees, those in the church who have been entrusted to you, your team, personal assistant, or virtual assistant?
10. Do you take time to do market or ministry research for your church, ministry, or business? Do you research ways to do a better job on your job (cultivate your gifts)?
11. With your earnings, do you buy resources needed to help you run your household or your business or ministry/calling?
12. Are you energetic? If so, how do you maintain your energy? If not, what can you do to become more energetic?
13. Would you consider yourself a strong woman? If so, in what ways? If not, where do you need to become stronger?
14. Would you consider yourself to be a hard worker?
15. Are you making sure your dealings are profitable (whether monetarily or as an influence in others’ lives)?
16. Does your lamp burn late into the night? Meaning, do you work late to get things done at times?
17. Are you busy doing what God has called you to do in your home and beyond?
18. Do you extend a helping hand to the poor and open your arms to the needy? If not, how can you serve more through your church or in your city or community?
19. When the seasons change (like in the winter as the Proverb stated), do you make sure that you and your household are ready for the new season materially (clothes-wise)?
20. As it relates to “she dresses in fine linen and purple gowns,” do you keep yourself up, have good hygiene, and practice self-care?
21. If you’re married, is your husband well known for the good that he does in your city or community? (pray about this if you’re single)
22. As it relates to “she makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants,” do you have any products that you sell, services, or ideas that could be sellable to help bring in additional or sustainable income into your home? If so, what is it or what are they? Think about it.
23. Are you clothed with strength and dignity?
24. Can you laugh without fear of the future (because you trust God to take care of you and your household)?
25. When you speak, are your words wise?
26. When you give instruction, are you kind in the process?
27. Do you watch over everything in your household? Are you attentive to the needs in your home?
28. Do you struggle or suffer due to laziness? Are you slothful, at times?
29. Do your children stand and bless you (in other words, compliment you to others with their words about you, buy things for you, see you as a woman who has favor on her life)?
30. If you’re married, does your husband praise you openly (speak words of affirmation or encouragement to you and speak highly of you to others). NOTE: If he doesn’t, it’s okay. Your validation comes from God, your heavenly Father. So be encouraged, sis.
31. We know that charm is deceptive and beauty does not last as Proverbs 31:31 states, but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Are you a woman who fears the Lord? If so, how so?
Thank you for taking the time to take this test, sis! I hope it was fun and thought-provoking. I also pray that it brings about change in your life and household, if you see that there is a need for it.
Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!
~Courtnaye
Don't forget! Each week, there is a video teaching that goes with the blog. This is NEW! You can view it from my website at www.courtnayerichard.com/blog. Also, do you need prayer? If so, email me directly to join you in prayer on it @ insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you and praying for you.
Oh and interested in writing a book? If so, I have a LIVE Workshop that I am hosting on Thursday, May 21, 2020! Registration is OPEN NOW! It will be loaded with knowledge, content, and LIVE training for your book project. Don't miss it! Click HERE for more information.
*Don't forget to grab my NEW 52-Week Devotional! Visit www.courtnayerichard.com or Amazon to order! Thanks!
Courtnaye Richard is the founder of Inside Out with Courtnaye, a ministry that helps women grow in their walk with Christ from the heart and equips them to fulfill their God-given purpose. She is also the author of the book, IDENTIFIED: Knowing Who You Are in Christ and Moving Forward in Your Purpose. Courtnaye is married with three beautiful children and is a contributing writer for ibelieve.com, Women’s Ministry Tools, speaker of a host of women’s conferences, and her blog reaches thousands of women across the globe. She resides in the beautiful Texas Hill Country (outside of Austin, Texas).
Click here to see the full list of Inside Out with Courtnaye episodes!
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