INTRODUCTION: 

A. Women are facing some trying situations today.
        Feminism, abortion, and women’s place in the church are questions  that must be settled 
               by every woman.
C. The virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 presents  an excellent model for womanhood.
       The Bible presents women in a wonderful light.  The world and worldly women would change 
              this God-given arrangement.  They  would lower the value of women, not raise it.
E. Many want to make excuses for why they are not all they could be.
 1. Male chauvinist pigs.
 2. Change God’s laws to get what they want.
F. James Russell Lowell said, “Earth’s noblest thing, a woman perfected.”
       Napoleon Hill suggests in his book, “Think and Grow Rich,” that the greatness of men is often
              achieved because of a woman.
       Women, within bounds, can be anything they want to be, and the only one that can control that 
               is the woman.
        The threats to the virtuous woman can be met today by applying   Biblical principles of yesterday.  
              God has anticipated every problem.
J. Let us now study eight characteristics needed by the virtuous  woman today.

DISCUSSION:

I. FAITH IS THE BASIS FOR ALL OTHER VIRTUES.

 A. Comes by hearing (Romans 10:17).
 B. Without faith, cannot please God (Hebrews 11:6).
 C. Faith gives us the power to conquer (Romans 8:37).
 D. All conduct derives from what we believe.
 
II. COURAGE RESULTS FROM OUR FAITH.

 A. Psalms 27:13; 31:24.
 B. In Christ there is no place for the weak.
 C. Plus, courage is catching (Judges 4:8).

III. PEACE OF MIND IS THE DESIRE OF US ALL.

 A. The soul is completed by obedience to God’s will.
 B. Peace of mind allows us to help others (Philippians 4:7).
 C. Wealth, power, friends, etc., will leave us poor; without peace of mind.
 
IV. THOSE POSSESSING GENTLENESS AND KINDNESS BRING BEAUTY TO THE POSSESSOR.

 A. Abigail (I Samuel 25:3-38).
 B. Proverbs 31:26; 19:22.
 C. Someone has said, “Kindness is the oil in the cogs of life’s machinery.”

V. HUMILITY, DEPENDENCY ON GOD.

 A. I Peter 3:4-6.
 B. Necessary to becoming a Christian.

VI. PATIENCE.

 A. Patient with the erring (Galatians 6:1).
 B. Patient with what we do.  Failure often breeds success.
 C. Probably the most needed characteristic for the Christian.
 

VII. WISDOM IS A PRICELESS ASSET.

 A. The wise are always in demand.
 B. How does wisdom come?
  1. Psalm 111:10.
  2. James 1:5.
  3. Matthew 10:16.

VII. LOVE; WITHOUT IT ALL OTHER VIRTUES ARE EMPTY.

 A. Colossians 3:14.
 B. Love is seen in obedience to God (John 14:21-23); doing good to our enemies (Matthew 5:44).
 C. I Corinthians 13:4-8.
 D. Love for fellow Christians (John 13:35).

CONCLUSION:

       Women today do not need to “come a long way.”  Jesus brought to them the greatest amount 
              of freedom ever available to them.
       If all of us would learn to fulfill our respective roles, what great changes would be experienced 
              in our world?
C. True greatness can be achieved by all by following God’s will.
 
 

         Donald W. Nix
         710 N. Duncan By-Pass
         Union, SC 29379