Just like living beings are distinguished by the characteristics they possess. There are also some attributes to look out for in a Christian wife. Those things are features to look out for to strike a balance and identify a Godly wife from a none Godly wife.
Attributes to Look out for in a Christian Wife
Action, they say speaks louder than the word. Bearing in mind that we are being watched, a Christian wife should live by biblical standards. Sermons should not only be written down in churches but should be practicalized it. A Christian wife should live by the Holy word.
1. She Loves God
A god wife loves and puts God first in each of her endeavors. She does the things of God and brings her family closer to God through prayers and supplications. A typical example is Hannah in the Bible.
Hannah
1Samuel 1: 5
“..but to Hannah he would give a double portion, because he loved Hannah, but the LORD had closed her womb” (NASB)
Hannah was barren, her womb was closed by God, and although loved by her husband, she petitioned God for a child of her own.
1Samuel 1: 20 (NASB)
“..in due time, after Hannah had conceived, that she gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him of the LORD.” (NASB)
Hannah was called a barren woman. She was hopeless but her love for God remained strong. She looked beyond the challenges and trusted solely on God for her breakthrough and it came forth.
Mary Magdalene
Matthew 26:6–13.
“While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant”.
Mary Magdalene could also be exemplified here. Although she wasn’t married, Mary loved Jesus and poured out a very expensive oil on Him, even when she saw others trying to dissuade her from doing so.
Because of her action, Jesus revealed His death to her and admonished her to do the same to His corpse when he dies.
John 20:13-14
13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
John 20:13-14 (NIV)
She was granted permission already to visit his tomb and share in the blessing of his death and resurrection. This shows to a greater extent that when we love God he reveals mysteries and hidden things to God.
When we love Him, He loves us right back without holding us back.
2. She Dresses to Cover Herself Up
A Christian wife dresses to cover herself. The Bible says that the body is the temple of the highest God. A Christian wife keeps her body holy and respectful to God as the dwelling place of God.
1 Corinthians 6:19
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?”
1 Corinthians 6:19 (NKJV)
More so, when we look at the pictures of women in the book: “my Bible story”, we love the way they dress and they still looked good and beautiful in their decent dresses. Nowadays, some women misconstrued dressing well as appearing indecent.
It is considered fashionable and an updated way of dressing. Sometimes, the only distinguished characteristic of the married and the unmarried is the wedding band. So many are dressed and appear unclad.
Although some men are against it, some are strongly in support of it. What do you stand to gain with a man when you expose God’s handwork to the people?
Have we ever asked ourselves why men do not appear naked or dress in rags like some ladies do?
Why should they encourage you to go dress half naked on the street while they completely cover up? Decent dressing is one of the attributes to look out for in a Christian wife, possess it, and practice it.
3. She Puts God First in Her Situation
A Godly wife puts God first in all areas of her life. Before marriage, she must put God first and trust in him for a divine life partner. Delilah was Sampson’s wife. She allowed the Philistines to use her to detriment of her husband, Sampson.
She exchanged Sampson for monetary gains. This would not have come to pass if she had given her life to God and placed him first above all things.
She would have simply emerged victorious and probably she could have ended up telling Sampson of the evil plot.
She accepted and was used by the enemy to frustrate and kill Sampson, the husband.
Another example is Saphira and Ananias. The husband lied and she towed the path husband. She died alongside the husband because she supported and encouraged the husband’s lies.
Putting God first simply means, allowing Him to guide you through every step of the way. Committing everything to his care. It means putting Him in front and allowing Him to take the lead while you follow his path.
Of course, his leadership is not like that of this world, he does not cut corners. He remains faithful and truthful to his promises. If he leads, you follow, and you will live with no regrets.
Placing God first above all things is one of the indispensable attributes to look out for in a Christian wife. As a Christian wife, are you possessing this attribute?
4. A Goldly Wife Sticks by Her Husband When Taking Important Decisions
A good wife supports the husband towards making the right decision. The story of a Shunammite woman that provided space for Elisha is a typical example.
She, seeing that the man of God was in need, went to her husband and convinced her husband to allow the man of God to stay in her house.
The husband listened to her advice as a wife and allowed the man of God to stay and he in turn became a blessing to the family. God was pleased with her generosity and He made a barren woman bear fruit.
This is a typical example of a woman that followed God’s standard both in her material provision and her love for the things of God. God changed her situation and status.
God perfected her miracle because of her kind-heartedness. What kind of advice do you give to your husband as a Christian Wife? Do you encourage him to build or destroy? Are you a blessing or a curse?
Don’t forget the Shunammite woman’s husband trusted her wise council because he believed in her Godly decisions.
5. She Inculcates Godly Principles in Her Children and Dissuades Her Offspring from following After the Worldly Pattern.
A good mother inculcates and encourages her children to do the things of God. A discouraging example is the woman Herodias, Salome’s mother who encouraged the daughter to do evil.
After singing so beautifully, she was asked to demand anything and it shall be given unto her.
Unknown to her what the mother will ask her to demand, she went respectfully to inquire of the mother, what she will love her to demand. She was told by her mother to demand the head of a God’s servant – John the Baptist.
she demanded and it was granted to her. She caused the untimely death of John the Baptist.
The devilish act could have been abated if the girl was of age to take decisions on her own. She was led by her mother to make the wrong decision.
What kind of decisions do you help your children to make as a Christian mothers? Are they healthy or foolish decisions? Are they encouraging or discouraging others? Are your children guided on the path of righteousness?
6. She Prays
A Christian wife prays and includes God in every of her life’s situations. She depends solely on God for divine encounters. She puts her whole faith, trust and hope in God.
She motivates her family to pray and seek the face of God in every matter that relates to the family.
Hannah prayed and sought the face of God and she was cured of her barrenness. When there is a woman to pray, there is a God to answer.
A praying wife is a dangerous wife to the devil. She takes authority over the devil and positions her family on the path of righteousness.
7. A Christian Woman Stays Faithful to the Husband
Even the Bible forbids adultery as a sin. God created Eve for Adam. He did not create two Eves, maybe a twin sister to one man. He created one man for a woman.
It is worrisome that some women after taking the vow to remain faithful to one man and forsaking all others, often go out of their marital homes and desecrate the matrimonial bed.
This is against the tenets of God. Although they believe God is a forgiving God. Potiphar’s wife is a clear example.
She disgracefully went after her husband’s servant for fleshy satisfaction. What a demeaning act to her husband! She disrespected her husband, herself and God.
Unable to fulfil her mission, she lied to Joseph and blackmailed him because he refused to meet her demands.
Few women nowadays disrespect their husbands and it is quite an eyesore before God and abominable before God.
As an obedient and submissive Wife, do you respect your husband with your body? Some cultures consider it punishable to indulge in adultery.
So many people become scared because of the culture than God. What do you think of God? He is the only one that sees and hears your innermost thoughts and actions.
A Christian wife staying faithful to her husband is a commandment from God, even as God forbids Christians from multiple worshipping.
8. A Godly Wife Units the Extended Family with the Husband
She does not put enmity between the husband and the nuclear family. A Godly wife is known to be a peaceful woman, a unifying factor, and a home builder. she promotes peace where ever she finds herself.
She does not encourage strive but she fosters peace and harmony among the family members.
Some wives when married into a family employ divisive measures to cause disharmony between the husband and his family members.
This isn’t the stock Christian Wives are made of. Separate yourself from such wives and remain a virtuous woman as instructed in the scripture.
9. She Lives an Exemplary Life for the Children and the Generations Unborn
I believe that the story of Esau and Jacob was evenly distributed to all the family members. Even the unborn generations will hear of the story. Rebecca practiced favouritism to the detriment of her first son, Esau.
This generated bitterness and malice between the two brothers. As a peace-loving wife, you have to make decisions, and actions that will unite the family together. All children are gifts from God. Treat them as one.
Love them equally and treat them in the right way. Always remember that a time will come when you also will be taken care of by them. Be careful so that you will not regret the results of your actions toward your kids in the future.
10. She does not Discuss her Husband in Public
A good wife treats her family issues discretely. She does not compromise on tabling her family problems before her friends. In reality, some women can be so flippant.
They talk anyhow and they often look for someone’s family to put in the bad light. As a discrete wife, you must guide against third parties in your family affairs. Draw boundaries between family affairs and social affairs.
Some women lie a lot and jeopardise the happiness and health of their families. Some cannot tell the truth. They may paint their families in a good light, but you listen to them, follow after what you are told, and become a victim of ill advice.
She doesn’t lose her guard, or else you fall victim to negative influence. As a Christian woman, your husband is the head of the home, he must be protected and shielded at all costs.
11. She is Industrious and Kind Hearted
A Christian Wife is an industrious and kind Hearted wife. She works hard to support her husband and provide for her family. She is a support base to her husband, the children and the entire family.
Although she has her peculiar challenges and obstacles, she persevered and remains successful in her chosen field of endeavour; with the mission of contributing to the growth, well-being, and peaceful coexistence of her family.
Her dedication and determination are an inspiration to other women around her. She’s a role model to other Christian Wives that come in contact with her.
She was once married before she lost her husband to the cold hands of death. She reached out to the poor and the less privileged in society. She was also able to fend for herself.
Dorcas according to the scripture was a widow. She was naturally kind and industrious. She expanded her milk of kindness beyond her immediate family. The poor, less privileged, and the vulnerable; were beneficiaries of her good gestures.
Conclusion:
It is expected of every Christian Wife to model biblical standards of a wife to other wives in society.
A good wife is a one-stop package any husband can dream of. Even the bible affirms that he who finds a wife finds a good thing and therefore obtained favour from God.
Marriage has its ups and downs, but with Jesus Christ as the solid foundation upon which a Christian home is built, the wife can effortlessly present herself as the engine room and great stabiliser of hope.
We’re sure of God’s guidance towards making the right decisions when God is placed first above all. Once you have an undying love for God, it is easy for you to love your husband, support him, and be that all-in-one package of a wife he has been praying for.
