Am I truly a born again daughter of the King?
The Word of God is filled with examples and characteristics of a born again woman. As a follower of Jesus Christ we are instructed to examine ourselves to make sure we are in the faith.
“Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know you not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be reprobates?”
— 2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJVER)
So as I study the Word and look for what it means to be a born again daughter of The King I am going to test myself against them and I pray you do the same!
What is a godly woman?
Titus 2:3-5
The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becomes holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the younger women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”
Lately, this beautiful passage showing what a godly woman is supposed to be, has really drawn me in and taught me a lot. As a mom of three young girls I have to question myself to see if I am showing them “behavior as becomes holiness?” Am I loving their daddy like God calls me to by being his helpmeet and ministering to him so that he can focus on his God given role as spiritual leader of our home? Am I teaching them that I love them rather than just pushing them off to the side to play or do anything except “bother” me while I do whatever it is I want to do? Or am I teaching them to be kind and gentle, to nurture and care for their future families and those around them? Am I patient with them, showing them grace and forgiveness every chance I get? Am I listening to their tender hearts when they need me or am I too “busy?”
Am I keeping my home in a way that glorifies God, cleaning, keeping it organized and providing healthy meals for my family?.Or am I lazy, and idle…filing my time with television and social media and other useless things that do not glorify God?
Although our family did away with things like movies/television and social media a good while ago I admittedly still fall short in some of these areas every day!! I have to repent and ask God to help me do better the next day.
Idle Words or words of life?
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.”
Ephesians 4:29
“But I say to you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement.”
Matthew 12:36
A born again daughter of the King understands that her words have meaning. Her words can be the difference of life and death.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
Proverbs 18:21
Are my words edifying my family and those around me or are they killing them? Am I nagging and picking at every little unimportant detail? Am I speaking words of life or words of death over my family? Am I gossiping and talking about people and things that are none of my business or am I using my words wisely and only saying what needs to be said while leaving the rest to God?
Oh it is so easy to get caught in this one… I get frustrated and snap at my children rather than pause and let the Holy Spirit lead me in my response. I react out of emotion rather than reality. I can find myself easily ensnared in the nasty sin of gossip and I have to repent!! I have since repented but I remember when I would get on social media and post my problems for everyone to see, seeking to make myself feel better….now I wonder how many people I turned away from the faith by doing so….thank God for repentance and a new heart.
Father God please help me to remember that every word I speak matters. I daily need HIS help in this area as I try to overcome the exhaustion and challenges that come with 3 small children and one on the way!
Am I teachable?
“Whosoever loves instruction loves knowledge: but he that hates reproof is brutish.”
Proverbs 12:1
“Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your later end.”
Proverbs 19:20
“Now therefore hearken to me, O you children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refute it not.”
Proverbs 8:32-33
“If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not? But if you be without chastisment, whereof all are partakers, then are you illegitimate children, and not sons.”
Hebrews 12:7-8
“He is in the way of life that keeps instruction: but he that refuses reproof errs.”
Proverbs 10:17
“A wise son hears his father’s instruction: but a scorned hears not rebuke.”
Proverbs 13:1
There are so many places where the Bible talks about being teachable. Am I willing to let the word of God change me and challenge me? Am I willing to obey His instructions without excuse? Am I willing to see that I was wrong and need to change my ways and repent? Am I willing to believe that maybe God’s word is completely and fully for me rather than picking and choosing what and how I apply things like modern “church” teaches?
I will humbly admit that I am still learning and always will be until Christ returns or takes me home and some things have been easier for me to embrace than others. I always loved long, loose dresses and I always felt uncomfortable in the clothes that society says we women should wear. So I gladly stepped into the idea of biblical dress and head coverings talk about in 1 Corinthians 11, 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Peter 3. Other things I’m still working on…..am I the only one that tends to notice the faults in those I love most before I notice the beauty? I’m still learning to be quiet and not speak unless my words are needed and edifying.
Do I delight in God’s word?
“Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law does he meditate day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2
I used to feel uncomfortable when someone would start talking about God or the Bible outside of “church.” I didn’t like to read the Bible except during my “quiet time.” And I definitely didn’t want to have a conversation about scripture. Now….I crave hearing His word. I want to read any chance I get and I don’t get anxious or weirded out when someone starts reading the Bible or talking about it. I used to be embarrassed and not want to share my faith with others….now I want to share with everyone. I want to talk about God and His Word. Looking back I can’t help but laugh at the thought of actually being saved and of Him….why would I be embarrassed or weirded out by His Word if i was?
There are more characteristics of a godly woman and, Lord willing, I will get to study them more and share my learning with you!