Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:00 — 4.1MB)
PROGRAM D-7928
No matter who you are—how qualified or successful you may or may not be—if you are a woman who fears the Lord, you will be praised. That was the heart of the remarkable woman in Proverbs 31: she feared the Lord. We can do this, too.
If we truly fear the Lord, we will fear bringing disgrace to his name. Another holy fear is causing any kind of dissension or disunity in the body of Christ.
Paul wrote this to the Romans: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18). Jesus also told us to love one another as he has loved us: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
Are you fearful of causing bad feelings among your friends and fellow-believers? That is a godly fear, and we need to cultivate that kind of fear. That loose gossip which we tolerate in our lives, those unkind words we say to each other, that competitive spirit and malice which is evident in the way we treat each other—those are things we should fear greatly.
If you have bad feelings right now toward someone, would you start praying about that and ask God what he would have you to do about it? He may want you to go to that person, ask for forgiveness, and have your fellowship restored. Please don’t put this off. The longer you wait, the heavier that burden will be. Until you make things right between you and others, you’ll never be the godly woman you want to be.
Is your fear of people stronger than your fear of the Lord? If you really fear the Lord, it will be more important to you to get your relationships right than it will be to save face with your friends or family. Maybe you’re fearing rejection by others and that keeps you from restoring fellowship with them. Ask God to give you a holy fear—the fear of the Lord—which will be stronger than your fear of people, so that you can do what he wants you to do.
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (Proverbs 31:30). Keep repeating this verse over and over to yourself, asking God to make you a woman who fears the Lord.