What does the Bible say about being a godly woman?

Both men and women were designed to reflect God and display His character in their lives; both were created in His image (Genesis 1:27). Living a godly life requires submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). It is through Jesus Christ that we are made righteous before God, and by the power of the Holy Spirit that we learn to live righteous and godly lives on earth (2 Corinthians 5:21; Titus 2:11–12; Philippians 2:12–13). So, what does it look like for a woman to live a godly life?

A godly woman should be surrendered to God for guidance and help in all her ways, seeking to know the Lord and be led by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16; Luke 10:39–42). As she seeks God, she becomes more like Him and has a greater understanding of the things of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:9–10). She is self-controlled and she develops the strength in Christ to deny sinful urges and instead live in purity and obedience to the Lord (2 Corinthians 10:5).

She knows that her body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and she takes care of it inside and out (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Though outward beauty is desirable, it is not a mark of godliness. A godly woman focuses more on inward adornment than outer adornment: "but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious" (1 Peter 3:4; see also 1 Timothy 4:8). God is pleased with a woman who has a beautiful spirit. The outward manifestation of a beautiful spirit is good works (1 Timothy 2:9–10). A godly woman will bear spiritual fruit in the kingdom of God (John 15:5–8).

There are a lot of lies in the world that try to equate a woman's worth to her physical elements alone. A godly woman knows this is not where her true value lies. God is the One who instills value into each person (1 John 5:19). One of the best ways to develop a beautiful spirit is to value others as Christ has valued you. A godly woman builds others up and is not slanderous (Ephesians 4:29). If she is married, she is submissive to her husband, allowing him to lead and honoring and encouraging him with respect (Ephesians 5:22–33). If she has children, she nurtures them in the love of God and instructs them in His ways (Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 1:5). As she matures, she teaches those who are younger in the ways of the Lord (Titus 2:3–5).

By looking at godly women in the Bible, we can see characteristics that godly women should exhibit:

Kindness, like Ruth (Ruth 1:8)

Righteousness, like Elizabeth (Luke 1:5–6)

Fearlessness, like Sarah (1 Peter 3:6)

Discernment, like Abigail (1 Samuel 25)

Bravery, like Jael (Judges 4:4–22)

Diligence, generosity, and wisdom, like the woman in Proverbs 31 (Proverbs 31:13–30).

No woman is able to achieve godliness on her own. It requires a reliance on the Lord and His power. As she submits to Him, He relieves her of her fears and the pressure to be perfect—and she accepts that she will remain imperfect until she is with Jesus in heaven (1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2). Because God is gracious with her, she is gracious with others (Proverbs 11:16). There is no requisite physical beauty or socioeconomic standing required to be a godly woman; any woman is able to be a godly woman if she loves God and seeks to be obedient to Him in all things (Luke 10:27; Galatians 2:20).

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