INTRODUCTION

A. Definition of virtue:  Moral courage, conformity to a standard of  right, manly strength or courage. 
 “Virtue” seems almost a Victorian word today;  something beautiful, feminine, romantic, nostalgic; 
       something not available in 1994 in our hurry-up, disposable,  materialistic, gender-bender society.
C. Victorian styles with lace,  ribbons,  hearts,  and rich colors are back    
  in fashion--let’s make virtue fashionable!

DISCUSSION

I. THE SITUATION:  VIRTUE IN OUR TIMES.

 A. Wickedness in the world is not new.
  1. Genesis 6:5.
  2. Judges 21:25.
  3. Romans 1:18-32.
  4. 1994.
 B. One of the definitions of virtue is “manly strength or courage.”  Today we as women are 
  bombarded on every side--with newspapers, magazines, television--to be tough and not 
  let anyone call us ladies, to demand to be the same as men (we are already equal, but we
  can never be the same).  Virtue is manly strength or courage--here is one way we can be
  the same as men--we can have virtue--manly strength or courage.
 
II. THE NEED:  CONDUCT OF A VIRTUOUS WOMAN. 

 A. In the midst of the world, we can find grace in the eyes of the   Lord (Genesis 6:8).
 B. Bible examples.
  1. Vashti. 
  2. Esther.
  3. Hannah.
  4. Mary.
 C. Is this what we see in the “visible” women of our time?
  1. Entertainment world.
  2. Political world.
  3. Business world.

III. THE KEY:  OBEDIENCE OF A VIRTUOUS WOMAN.
 
 A. The virtuous woman obeys the gospel of Christ without delay - Acts 16:14,15; Lydia.
 B. The virtuous woman obey the command to “go” in the Great Commission - 
  Matthew 28: 18-20; Priscilla.
 C. The virtuous woman obeys the command to dress modestly - I Timothy 2:9; Vashti.
 D. The  virtuous  woman  obeys  the  command  to teach  younger women - Titus 2:3-5.
 E. The virtuous woman obeys the command to be submissive to her husband for all the 
  right reasons - Ephesians 5:22-33.
  1. It is commanded.
  2. It allows order in the home.
  3. It is an example for children.
  4. It supports the spiritual leadership of the husband.
 F. The virtuous woman obeys the command to be silent in the church - I Corinthians 14:34.
  1. God’s will is for male spiritual leadership.
  2. She has much work to do.
  3. Her reward is not based on her visible position but her surrender to God.
  4. The Bible pattern is not outdated and cannot be improved.
 G. The virtuous woman obeys the command to be anxious for nothing - Philippians 4:6.
  1. This is a great temptation for some.
  2. How can I avoid this temptation?  See Philippians 1:4.

IV. THE RESULT:  THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN HAS SALVATION.

 A. Here and now.
 B. There and then.
 C. Others will be affected by her life--eternally.
 
 

CONCLUSION:

A. How does the definition of virtue fit you?
B. See the definition applied in Proverbs 31:10-31.
C. Virtue is at the center of the target.  God’s word shows us how to hit the center!
 

         Helen Andrews
         3249 E. Lawrenceville Street
         Duluth, GA 30136