Proverbs 21:19 Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious (quarrelsome) and angry woman.
Proverbs 27:15 A continual dripping on a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike.
I know you have heard that saying, “If mama ain’t happy, nobody’s happy.” I hate it, but it’s true. For some reason, the Lord gave us ladies influence over our homes, families and others. He trusts us with them.
Look at the picture above. It is a piece from England and is titled “The Nagging Wife”. How would you like to face that every day?
Women have influenced men from the beginning when Eve convinced Adam to eat the fruit the Lord told him not to eat. We have worked at influencing our families to join in our crabby day. Ladies, PMS is no excuse…..sorry. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. We having a saying in our house “Crabby is a choice.” Crabby is carnal….flesh.
One look can change the atmosphere in the house from peace to anxiety. One unkind word can slap a person down for hours. Sometimes, it is just better to keep our mouth shut rather than to allow it to spout hurt.
Ron and I were talking about this when we got up this morning……I love our morning spiritual talks! He was talking about how there will be an atmosphere of worship in the church building and some women will walk in and this is what you hear: “It’s hot in here!” “It’s cold in here!” “Those curtains don’t match this carpet.” “Look what so and so is wearing. It’s hideous.”
Please know my heart, and before you think I am bashing women, remember that I AM one! Ladies, we have been given a gift….the gift to influence those around us for the Lord……for holiness and an atmosphere of peace and worship and to be an example as a life of ministering to others as was written in Proverbs 31.
I wish to present a challenge to you ladies…..this week ask Holy Spirit to show you how you are influencing others and make the choice to influence in a spiritual manner. Below are some scriptures and questions you may want to ask yourself.
Titus 2:3-5 In the same way tell older women to behave as women who live a holy life should. They must not be slanderers, or slaves to wine. They must teach what is good in order to train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, and to be good housewives, who obey their husbands, so that no one will speak evil of the message from God.
Proverbs 31:10-30 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is worth more than precious rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She will not hinder him, but help him all the days of her life. She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchant’s ship; she brings 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 out to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She watches for bargains; her lights burn 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 because all of them have warm clothes. She quilts her own bedspreads. She dresses like royalty in gowns of finest cloth. Her husband is well known, for he sits in the council meeting 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 with no fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule when she gives instructions. She carefully watches all that goes on in her household and does not have to bear the consequences of 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.
If you are single, you are still married:
Isaiah 54:5 For your Creator will be your Husband. The Lord Almighty is His name! He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; the God of all the earth.
The questions:
~Are you controlling situations or allowing Holy Spirit to control you?
~Do you honor and respect your husband?
~Do you encourage your husband to be the spiritual leader? (For men, leading the family is a mantle, but it is a burden for women.)
~Do you make excuses or justify why you act like you do?
~Do you influence your home for Christ?
~Do you see others as your enemy or do you realize the devil is the real enemy behind strife?
~Do you encourage spiritual talks, prayer and Bible reading?
~What do you allow your children to “feed” on? (Reading and TV)
~ Do you treat your children and others with respect or do you scream at them?
~Are you using godly discipline in love or lashing out in anger and frustration?
~Are you always striving to get more (things, bigger homes, etc.), or are you content with what you have?
Families, this includes the Body of Christ, need to stick together in Him. Know that the world contradicts everything God says to be true. It’s how the devil works and always has worked from the beginning. He works to make you doubt God and want for more.
Be blessed as you seek your Helper to walk out a Christ influenced week! Shalom!
