THE MEASURE OF A WOMAN:
NOTES FROM Charles e. Whisnant
First Baptist Church, Altoona, Kansas 1992
Rivers of Joy Baptist Church in 2010
1A
God's Perspective on Beauty: Prov. 31:10
How
do you measure a woman? Her worth, her true beauty, her total being?
Historically, it's obvious that the criteria have often been very specific and
restrictive. And today's society highlights this narrow point of view by
many means. Simply stated, it is physical appearance. Movies, magazines, television, all bear
constant witness to this external obsession.
God's
perspective on women, however, is far more comprehensive. Its obvious that God is not
opposed to beauty — not even in the sensual
sense. In a unique and incomparable way, He
created "woman for man " I Corin. 11:9. And any normal man bears witness to this reality.
He responds to what he sees. After God
made Eve he did say "very Good" Gen. 1:31. God did see the physical beauty,
after all they were both naked and were not ashamed: Gen 2:25.
But
the most significant qualities were internal. This is pointed out clearly in the rest
of scripture.
But,
God's intended perspective on women has been marred. Sin, entered in the world,
caused man to focus on external beauty and to abuse it, pervert it and use it for all
kinds of selfish purposes.
But
God's perspective goes on nevertheless! And men and woman who seek to do God's
will can discover what that perspective is. It neither eliminates physical
beauty, nor excludes inner qualities. God's perspective certainly includes both,
but puts the emphasis where it ought to be--on what is real, living, lasting,
and ultimately satisfying—and all within His moral laws.
God
put's a high premium on Christian maturity. A dynamic profile for Christian
maturity, for both men and women.
Both
Paul and Peter say some things specified for women. Uniquely directed at
women. These virtues in turn serve as criteria for measuring Christian maturity
and true and lasting beauty.
TITUS 2:3-5
I TIMOTHY 3:11
I PETER 3:1-4
HERE IS A BRIEF LIST OF THOSE QUALITIES FOUND IN THESE PASSAGE OF
SCRIPTURES
IB To Be WORTHY of Respect
I Timothy 3:11
"Women in like manner
serious, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things." (CBL/Greek) WOMAN (gunaikas) (wives of
deacons) Some say those who hold a position of
leadership in the assembly.
"Deaconesses" some use. GRAVE: (KJV) is in the
Gr. semnas, meaning serious (4441 E/G CBL)says "WORTHY OF
RESPECT. DIGNIFIED, HOLY, HONORABLE"
Its the goal of all Christians to
have in their lives.
The
idea is that we could teach carefully and in a dignified way. Its the concept
of this: We must make sure we have carefully researched what we teach; our interpretations and
applications should be accurate, and we should teach with confidence blended
with humility and sincerity.
"A
respectful" life style" particularly to those who are going to teach younger
women.
A reverent, and dignified
life-style (whether pastor, or teacher or even a general Christian) will form a
backdrop against which the opponents of Christianity "may be ashamed
because they have nothing bad to say about us" Titus 2:8.
There is a sense in this
word (semnos) that is significant in developing the quality of respect and dignity in our lives. It has to do with what
we think about—the world of "ideas" and
"things". Phil.4:8 Paul gives the idea. Paul deals with the conduct as well as
the character. They must model good and
godliness. I Tim. 3:14f. ("I am writing you these instructions so
that______________________________ people in God's household might know how to
conduct their lives." (CBL/GE)
What does our mind dwell on................................ What do women/man think on...............................
And what do they think
about and do that could cause her to lose self-respect and consequently the
respect of others?
Literature, TV shows,
movies—anything that stimulates carnal appetites and
that focuses on non-Christian behavior will eventually affect our self-respect.
Proverbs 14:1
Many
modern-day novels, magazine articles, soap operas cater to the flesh and focus on lying,
cheating, illegitimate sex, backbiting, gossiping, foul language, etc.
Any Christian woman who takes seriously God's standards for
living, yet allows her mind to "think on these things" will sooner or
later lose self-respect and be in danger of losing the respect of her husband, her
children, and her close friends.
[NOTE
GETZ'S BOOK, PAGE 20-24, a personal project which is designed to women develop self-respect as
well as respect from others.]
(I will insert those pages in this material,
also good for counseling)
There are several other
qualities given:
2A BE NOT MALICIOUS TALKERS: i.e. slanderers (1222 CBL) false
accuser, (diabolous)
Gossip,
out of control, can turn to slander. 3A TO
BE TEMPERATE (SOBER)
gr. nephaleous, (3386) drinking no wine, temperate
clearheaded. A lack of self control and temperance is a
mark of spiritual immaturity.
[moderation in action, thought, feeling]
With
all the sophistication in our culture, you would think that emotional and
psychological stress would be diminished in this culture. But not so. There
seems to be more frustrated women today as ever before, Why?
Increased
pressures, new demands, unbelievable "performance standards" in our American culture.
With the increase of frustration, there have become more "escape routes."
It used to be alcohol, still is, but now also drugs. (Both acceptable
and unacceptable kinds). There is tobacco that is packaged in various shapes and sizes.
There is exotic food,
Beautiful clothing styles that change every
season,
Clubs, you wouldn't
believe, from PTO to Golf.
Where
as many Christian women who would never take a drop of alcohol or a drug,
However they "over-eat" with every degree of regularity.
There
must be temperance applied to many things in life, including "eating
food", spending money on herself, her family, on her home.
A
woman must be temperate in all the means she uses to ease her frustration and
stress and to satisfy her basic needs and desires.
The
bible teaches temperance and self-control in all things: I Corin. 10: 23^ to 11:1. .
Held or kept within limits.
