Being a Godly wife takes courage, especially in this day and age when the idea of a Godly wife has been given such negative connotations. Society has somehow confused the roles of women and wives. Let’s be clear again that the Bible makes a distinction between women and wives. In the Bible, women are equal to men and many women even held high offices of power and influence.
In contrast, Godly wives in the Bible have always taken a supportive and submissive role to their husbands, just as God created them to be. Women have been taught that seeking the role of a Godly wife is somehow a step back for the advancement of women. Today’s culture portrays Godly wives as a sign of weakness. Feminists have tried to make women believe that becoming a Godly wife is a form of defeat and those who strive towards this goal, are setting women back thousands of years. This of course couldn’t be further from the truth! A Godly wife is held in great regard. She is praised by others and seen to be of great worth by her children, her husband and even God!
Proverbs 31:28 – Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well: 29“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”
1 Peter 3:3-4 – Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
Proverbs 31:10 – Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The challenge a Godly wife faces is the task of submitting to a man who is naturally flawed, but a Godly wife must not judge her husband. No husband is perfect. His decisions may not always be right and you may be tempted to disobey. Your respect and obedience should not be based on your husband’s actions and your subsequent judgment of him.
Romans 3:10 – As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous— not even one.
1 John 1:8 – If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
Romans 3:23 – for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
A Godly wife submits to her husband because she is being obedient to what the Bible says about wives. Her submission to her husband is because of her love for God.
Ephesians 5:22 – Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.
Colossians 3:18 – Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Seeing your husband as ‘Lord’ isn’t easy. Especially when he does things that you don’t agree with He may even be acting completely opposite to God’s word! Regardless of a husband’s shortcomings and imperfections, a Godly wife must obey and submit to her husband, even if he is being disobedient to the word.
1 Peter 3:1-6 – In the same way, you wives, be subject to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won over without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your pure and respectful behavior. 3 Your adornment must not be merely the external—braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or putting on apparel; 4 but it should be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this way the holy women of former times, who hoped in God, also used to adorn themselves, being subject to their own husbands, 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; and you have proved to be her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.
Submitting to someone is understandably scary. But a Godly wife has made the decision to trust God by submitting to her husband. She makes a choice to respect her husband and honor him as if she were serving the Lord. That way, she will be considered a Godly wife like Sarah.
Lacking The Courage To Be A Godly Wife
Lot’s wife lacked the courage to obey God’s word and submit to her husband. When God warned Lot of the wrath that would be unleashed on Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his family were given the opportunity to escape certain death. They would be saved, as long as they didn’t look back. Why was it so important not to look back?
Genesis 19:15-17 – With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.”
16 When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them. 17 As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!”
Having to up and leave so quickly must have caught Lot’s wife by surprise. I’m sure they had zero time to pack and say their goodbyes to family and friends. In a moment, they were forced to leave everything behind. Lot’s daughters even left without their fiances. Out of fear of being destroyed, Lot and his family rushed out of Sodom and Gomorrah without a second thought. Due to fear of the unknown, Lot’s wife doubted and out of disobedience to God’s word, she looked back, which the angels specifically warned her not to do.
Genesis 19:18 & 19 – 18 But Lot said to them, “No, my lords, please! 19 Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can’t flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I’ll die.
It is obvious that both Lot and his wife were fearful about leaving Sodom & Gomorrah. But looking back would be making a statement. It would mean that out of fear and a lack of faith, Lot’s wife regretted the choice she made to obey God. Just then out of regret and doubt, she looks back at the city and instantly, she turns into a pillar of salt.
Genesis 19:26 – But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
Fear of the unknown, doubt and disobedience overtook Lot’s wife. She compromised her faith in God and her duty to be a God fearing, supportive and submissive wife. Her act of looking back was a sign of disobedience and doubt out of fear, which resulted in her demise.
This is why it takes courage to be a Godly wife. There will most certainly be times when you don’t agree with God’s word or your husband’s actions and decisions. And this is when Godly wives must defy society’s promptings to rebel against their husbands. Despite all inclinations to disobey, a Godly wife remembers that she has trusted God and remains in subjection to her husband. This is a courageous wife indeed!
Proverbs 31:10 – A woman of valour who can find? For her price is far above rubies.
Another translation: Who shall find a valiant woman? Far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.
Valiant definition: possessing or showing courage or determination.
Valour definition: great bravery
This is the type of wife Sarah was to Abraham by not being afraid to submit to him, calling him Lord/Master.
1 Peter 3:6 – Just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. And you are her children if you do what is right and refuse to give way to fear.
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