The Bible provides a clear distinction between a godly wife and a worldly wife. While both may appear similar on the surface, their values, priorities, and behaviors are vastly different.
Godly Wife:
A godly wife is a woman who has surrendered her life to Jesus Christ and seeks to follow His teachings. She is characterized by:
1. Faithfulness: She is committed to her husband and her marriage, just as she is committed to her faith (Proverbs 31:11-12).
2. Submissiveness: She submits to her husband’s leadership, not out of obligation, but out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:22-24).
3. Selflessness: She prioritizes her husband’s needs and desires above her own, demonstrating a selfless love (Philippians 2:3-4).
4. Wisdom: She seeks wisdom from God’s Word and applies it to her life, making her a wise and virtuous woman (Proverbs 31:26).
5. Prayerfulness: She is a woman of prayer, seeking God’s guidance and wisdom in all aspects of her life (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Worldly Wife:
A worldly wife, on the other hand, is a woman who is driven by the values and priorities of the world. She is characterized by:
1. Self-centeredness: She prioritizes her own needs and desires above those of her husband and others (2 Timothy 3:2).
2. Independence: She seeks to maintain her independence and autonomy, often at the expense of her relationship with her husband (Genesis 3:6).
3. Materialism: She is driven by a desire for wealth, status, and material possessions, rather than a desire to serve and honor God (1 Timothy 6:10).
4. Lack of self-control: She often lacks self-control, giving in to her emotions and desires, rather than seeking to honor God with her thoughts, words, and actions (Proverbs 25:28).
5. Disregard for God’s Word: She disregards or disobeys God’s Word, often justifying her actions as "my way" or "my truth" (Psalm 119:136).
The differences between a godly wife and a worldly wife are stark. A godly wife is characterized by faithfulness, submissiveness, selflessness, wisdom, and prayerfulness, while a worldly wife is driven by self-centeredness, independence, materialism, lack of self-control, and disregard for God's Word. As Christian women, let us strive to be godly wives, honoring God and our husbands with our thoughts, words, and actions.
