Sunday, August 10, 2008

Biblically Feminine


At long last I am writing this Biblically Feminine post. :) I struggled for a while within myself, wanting to write this but unsure of the format. I decided to just start typing and see what happened. So here goes!

Before I say anything I highly recommend reading the books "So Much More" by Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin, "Before You Meet Prince Charming" by Sarah Mally, and "Beautiful Girlhood" revised by Karen Androlea. They explain the deepest beliefs of my heart much better than I could. And please understand that I do not want to offend anyone by writing this post. I love you and I am hoping that no one will take offense by reading my thoughts on this subject.

First of all, I believe a Biblically Feminine young lady is content where the Lord has placed her - in her home. She does not desire to be continually out with her 'friends' and shunning the home atmosphere.

This does NOT mean she must be housebound! Having good, godly fellowship is very important.

A Biblically Feminine young lady desires to emulate the characteristics of a virtuous woman found in Proverbs 31 verses 11 - 27. (I'm paraphrasing here)
  • She is careful with the heart of her husband and faithful to him (v.11)
  • She saves her heart and romantic affections (v.12) "all the days of her life"
  • She works willingly (without murmuring and complaining) (v.13
  • She brings her food from afar (v.14)
  • She wakes up early and makes fresh food (v.15)
  • She makes wise purchases and plants a garden (v.16)
  • She is strong and exercises to keep herself that way (v.17)
  • She is strong through difficulties (v.18 - 'night' meaning adversity)
  • She is skilled in creative employments such as spinning and weaving (v.19)
  • She helps the poor and needy (v.20)
  • She keeps her family well-clothed, perhaps mending and sewing (v.21)
  • She makes coverings of tapestries (wall hangings and quilts) and dresses in lovely clothes (v.22)
  • She's an entrepreneur (v.24)
  • She is strong and honorable (v.25)
  • She speaks with wisdom and kindness (v.26)
  • She is not lazy or idle, and manages her time well.

Of course we will never measure up to everything on the list all at once, it's a growing process, a road we travel.
Anyone desiring to be like Christ will also endeavor to produce the fruits of the spirit found in Galatians chapter 5 verse 22.
  • Love.
  • Joy.
  • Peace.
  • Longsuffering (or patience).
  • Gentleness.
  • Goodness.
  • Faith.
  • Meekness.
  • Temperance - also known as self-control.
Titus Chapter 2 verses 4 - 5 say "That they [aged women] may teach the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, (5) To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." This is serious business.
1 Peter 3:1-5 "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of their wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, and of putting on of apparel; But let it be that hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.


Get my drift? It doesn't matter what you show outwardly, what matters most to the Lord is that you have these things in your heart. You can be wearing the most modest dress ever and a head covering and still be acting in a way that is displeasing to him, and harboring sinful things in your heart. (I have nothing against dresses and head coverings, though I myself don't wear a head covering)
Please don't misunderstand - I firmly believe in dressing in a modest yet beautiful and feminine way and arranging hair in lovely styles and wearing tasteful and pretty jewelry, BUT - the most important thing is what you are wearing on the inside. It shows through, trust me.
I am so thankful for each and every person who reads my blog. I'd be delighted if you let me know what you think of this post in a Christ-like manner.


Love and blessings,
Julia

14 comments:

  1. Hmmmm... interesting. Definitely. But true. I understand everything you are trying to say, and I agree with pretty much everything you said.
    Great post!! I'm glad you take a stand on things like that.
    Keep going!! :)

    Madison

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  2. I agree Julia,
    I wrote the bible scriptures over so I can read them all over in Dutch again, to understand even better what you are explaining.
    thank's!

    Ciska

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  3. YOU ARE A WINNER!!!
    Visit my blog for results on the Picture Taking Contest!

    -Rose

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  4. I just found your blog through another blog...though I forget what it was called! I clicked the link because it was called Julia's Journal and my name is Julia too!
    Your blog is very nice and you're doing a good job since you only started it in June!
    I have read So Much More, Before you meet Prince Charming, and Beautiful Girlhood. They are really good books. :D
    Anyway, I just thought I'd let you know I "found" your blog and will be visiting again!
    Julia in Oklahoma
    (age 15, one of 6) :D

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  5. Thank you, Julia, for your post. It is wonderfully refreshing to see someone take those Scriptures at face value and seek to obey and encourage others to do likewise. :-) Press on!

    Grace and peace,
    Lauren @ pearlsanddiamonds

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  6. I believe you did an excellent job with this one! I believe everything you said is very true! There isn't really anything that I can add to it... except maybe to remind everyone that after we establish God firmly in our lives then he will do His work from the inside-out. So that as we search for our own uniqueness (Which I know most of us do search for) God will form it in is as he forms Him self in us. I don't know if that makes sense but I know it's a good reminder for myself so that I don't go around trying to be someone I'm not.

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  7. Great post, Julia. You're a very wise friend. :o)

    Joanna

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  8. Hi Julia,
    Great post! I couldn't agree more! Another great book is "His Chosen Bride" by Jennifer Lamp.

    Sure, I'd love for you to link to me. :)

    Blessings, Abigail

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  9. Beautfully put!
    I agree 100%. Thanks for posting your convictions on biblical femininity :)

    --Mia

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  10. What a wonderful heart for the Lord you have. Do you realize how rare that is to see someone your age sold out for the Lord? My husband and I work with young people and it is so rare! You keep up your following after God! You are beautiful inside and out!
    God Bless!

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  11. Thank you so much, Julia! What an apt reminder, and such excellent encouragement -well done! I know you were a bit nervous about tackling this subject, but you did an amazing job!

    Love,
    Jasmine

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  12. Hi Julia!

    Very well done! I coulndn't agree with you more. Thank you for such an inspiriring and encouraging post!

    McKenzie Elizabeth

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  13. Hi everyone,

    Thank you so much for your comments! I appreciate it that you took the time to tell me what you thought of my post!

    Julia :)

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  14. AMEN! Thank you for having the courage to write that! Sometimes...embracing Biblical Feminism can be a struggle BUT when we obey the Lord and trust Him to help us each and every day to live life for HIM the fight is always worth it :)
    Blessins!
    ~Katy

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Hi! Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog. I hope you are having an absolutely wonderful day. :)

Please remember to keep your thoughts and remarks kind and pleasing in the sight of our Lord.

I would encourage you to sign your name to your comments... otherwise it might not be published.

If you have a question you would like to ask me, feel free to leave me your email address - it will not be published - and I will try to answer or help as best as I can. :)

Sometimes it takes me a little while to get back to you... but I do try and reply when I get a comment. :D

Love & Blessings!
~ Julia ~