“The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands . . . The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.” (Proverbs 14:1 and 11, NKJV)
Have you ever visited a home where you just weren’t comfortable? Oh, it may have had nice furniture and expensive décor, but the atmosphere of the home was not warm or welcoming. You step into another home and feel the difference. Although the furniture is worn and the floors are scarred, love and happiness seem to embrace you.
Why is the atmosphere of these two homes so different? Because of how the home is built. I don’t mean the actual construction of wood or brick. Those living in the house create the atmosphere found within its walls. How they choose to live, the values they choose to live by, determine if it is joyful, comfortable, safe, and peaceful. A godly home feels different from one where the Lord is not recognized or honored.
a godly life
As I read Proverbs 14:1, I asked myself, “What inner qualities should a wise woman build into her life?” I knew the place to start my search was within the pages of God’s Word. It has so much to say about living wisely and being a blessing to others.
Proverbs 31 tells us about the life of a virtuous woman. Verse 28 says, “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” Titus 2 tells us how the older women of the church, as “teachers of good things,” become godly examples to the younger women. We can also look at the example of women such as Abigail who wisely protected her household from the evil actions of her husband (I Samuel 25).
qualities to develop
Hebrews 13 is another passage that we can read to find building materials for a godly life and a godly home. Here are several of the qualities it teaches us to develop in our lives.
|
Verse 1 |
Love |
| Verse 2 | Hospitality |
| Verse 3 | Compassion for others |
| Verse 4 | Moral purity |
| Verse 5 | Without covetousness |
| Verse 6 | Contentment |
| Verse 7 | Respect for those in authority |
Colossians 3:12-13 provides more building blocks for a godly life. It instructs us to:
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (ESV)
Just as the wise woman carefully builds her house of faith, the foolish woman destroys her house through wrong attitudes and actions. When she exhibits selfishness, laziness, anger, hatred, bitterness, pride, falsehood, lust, envy, or disrespect, she damages her house. Unless she changes her ways, it will soon be destroyed.
living stones
Which is easier, building up or tearing down? Both require effort, but building up is productive and fulfilling. The life of the wise woman glorifies God. Because she displays godly character, others enjoy being in her presence . They feel loved, respected, and safe in her presence. Because she built wisely, her life will be blessed and full.
“You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (I Peter 2:5, ESV)
Lord, let me be like the wise woman and build my house according to Your Word.
