Several years ago I was doing a Bible Study on the Proverbs 31 Woman, and came across an article by Melissa Ringstaff on her 10 virtues. The purpose of my blog, Above Rubies or Pearls, is to inspire women to see our true value in Christ, to become virtuous women, and to live accordingly. So when I found my notes last week, I thought about how these virtues can be lived out. I came up with this guide.
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1. A Virtuous Woman Has an Active Prayer Life
The first virtue of the proverbs 31 woman is faith (Proverbs 31:26, 29 – 31; Matthew 22:37; John 14:15; and Psalm 119:15).
She loves Jesus with all of her heart. A virtuous woman serves God with all of her heart, soul, and mind. She seeks His will for her life and follows His ways.
Melissa Ringstaff
See Related:
Living a life of faith involves spending time with God. Dedicating time each day for a morning devotion; to study God’s Word; and to prayer. Here is my prayer guide from my Instagram account:
- Thank God for each new day and all that He has done for you each night.
- Thank God for your food and ask Him to bless your meals.
- Pray for guidance and protection
- Pray for others.
- Be still and listen.
- Keep a prayer journal.
2. A Virtuous Woman Honors Her Purpose as a Daughter of God
The second virtue of the Proverbs 31 Woman is marriage (Proverbs 31:11-12, 23 & 28; 1 Peter 3; Ephesians 5; Genesis 2:18).
She is a faithful bride. A virtuous woman respects her husband. She does him good all the days of her life. She is trustworthy and a helpmeet.
Melissa Ringstaff
Not every woman is married, yet, but can still be faithful as God’s daughter by living according to His expectations of conduct (Titus 2:1). Those who are married should also be teaching younger women how to love their own husbands and their children (Titus 2:3-5).
See Related:
- Becoming a Daughter of God
- 7 Ways to Renew Your Mind as a Daughter of God
- How to Trust God With Your Love Story
3. A Virtuous Woman Loves Children and Teaches Them About God
The third virtue of the Proverbs 31 Woman is mothering (Proverbs 31:26 & 28; Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6; Luke 18:16).
She is a loving mother and her children call her blessed. A virtuous woman teaches her children the ways of her Father in Heaven. She nurtures her children with the love of Christ, disciplines them with care and wisdom, and trains them in the way they should go.
Melissa Ringstaff
As with marriage, not every woman has their own children. However, every woman can demonstrate and teach the love of God to the children in their lives (Deuteronomy 11:19).
See Related:
4. A Virtuous Woman Practices Self-Care
The fourth virtue of the Proverbs 31 Woman is health (Proverbs 31:14-15 & 17; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Genesis 1:29; Daniel 1:8; Leviticus 11).
She takes care of her physical, mental, and spiritual health. A virtuous woman cares for her body. She prepares healthy food for her family.
Melissa Ringstaff
We are taught in the Word of God that our bodies do not belong to us alone, but that they are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). We are also taught that we are not to conform to the ways of this world but to renew or minds by reading the Word of God and applying it to our lives (Romans 12:2). And finally, we are taught to protect our own spirit by donning the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11).
See Related:
5. A Virtuous Woman Serves Others
The fifth virtue of the Proverbs 31 Woman is service (Proverbs 31:12, 15 & 20; and 1 Corinthians 13:13).
She serves others with love and kindness. A virtuous woman serves her husband, her family, her friends, and her neighbors with a gentle and loving spirit. She is charitable.
Melissa Ringstaff
My favorite way to give back to the community is through education, especially in the area of literacy skills. As a teacher and a reading specialist, I provide free K-12 reading assessments to families and offer intervention plans for children found to be reading below grade level. I am also working on creating blessing bags for women and children.
When we love others, that means we seek the best for them, not expect them to endure injustice and suffering (Romans 13:8). Those who give to the poor, lend to God, and He sees and repays because God is good (Proverbs 19:17).
See Related:
6. A Virtuous Woman Uses Her Gifts to Glorify God
The sixth virtue of the Proverbs 31 Woman is stewardship (Proverbs 31:14, 16 & 18; 1 Timothy 6:10; Ephesians 5:23; and Deuteronomy 14:22).
She is a wise steward of the gifts God has given her. A virtuous woman seeks her husband’s approval before making purchases and spends money wisely. she is careful to purchase quality items which her family needs.
Melissa Ringstaff
Whatever we eat, drink, or do, we are to do for the glory of God (Colossians 3:23-24). God is always watching and so are other people; we are His representatives, so we should do our best to make sure everything we do brings Him glory.
See Related: Build a Home as a Proverbs 31 Woman
7. A Virtuous Woman Works Hard
The seventh virtue of the Proverbs 31 Woman is industry (Proverbs 31:13, 16, 24 & 31; Philippians 2:14).
She is industrious and works with willing hands. A virtuous woman works willingly with her hands. She sings praises to God and does not grumble while completing her tasks.
Melissa Ringstaff
Whatever our task may be, we are instructed by God to do our very best for Him, because it is really Him that we are working for (Colossians 3:23-24). Even in situations where our employer is not good, we must still do our very best work as if God were the Boss.
See Related:
8. A Virtuous Woman Takes Care of Her Home and Is Hospitable
The eighth virtue of the Proverbs 31 Woman is homemaking (Proverbs 31:15, 20-22 & 27; Titus 2:5; 1 Peter 4:9; and Hebrews 13:2).
She is a good manager of her home. A virtuous woman is a homemaker. She creates an inviting atmosphere of warmth and love for her family and guests. She uses hospitality to minister to those around her.
Melissa Ringstaff
We are instructed in God’s Word to extend hospitality to even strangers but especially to those in the family of believers. A Proverbs 31 Woman makes those around her feel comfortable and welcome (Hebrews 13:2 AMP).
9. A Virtuous Woman Spends Time Doing God’s Will
The ninth virtue of the Proverbs 31 Woman is time (Proverbs 31:13, 19 & 27; Ecclesiastes 3; Proverbs 16:9; and Philippians 4:8).
She spends her time on that which is good. A virtuous woman uses her time wisely. She works diligently to complete her tasks. She does not spend time dwelling on things that do not please the Lord.
Melissa Ringstaff
The Proverbs 31 Woman devotes her time to obeying Jesus and doing the will of His Father (John 14:21 and Matthew 7:21). Spending time with God, taking care of her family, her home, and of herself, and serving in the community are all examples of using her time wisely.
10. A Virtuous Woman Develops and Values Her Inner Beauty
The tenth virtue of the Proverbs 31 Woman is beauty (Proverbs 31:10, 21-22, & 24-25; Isaiah 61:10; 1 Timothy 2:9; and 1 Peter 3:1-6).
She is creative and embraces beauty with godliness. A virtuous woman is a woman of worth and beauty. She has the inner beauty that only comes from Christ. She uses her creativity and sense of style to create beauty in her life and the lives of her loved ones.
Melissa Ringstaff
God places value on our inner beauty and teaches us that it is the beauty that is incorruptible.
This tenth virtue is the main focus of my blog because it is the one I feel that women need the most encouragement about. Furthermore, it is the one that makes all the other virtues possible.
See Related: I Am a Model
I chose my business name, Above Rubies or Pearls, to give encouragement to women to believe that our worth is in God and is defined by Him, not by this world. As God’s daughters, we are priceless, worth far above than rubies or pearls, and we should never forget that or allow anyone to claim otherwise.
See Related: Why I Started My Blog
The 10 Virtues of the Proverbs 31 Woman article by Melissa Ringstaff is a worthy read! Also, the podcast episode, Becoming a Proverbs 31 Woman, gives some great tips that you can start incorporating into your daily life.
Until next time! 💕
Very helpful tips! Not only for women but men also need this
Thank you, Ben, and I agree; men definitely do need these tips, too! 😊
I can tell that you’re passionate about this topic through your writing. You write beautifully! Thank you for your insight and tips! 🙂
Thank you, Camila! I am glad that you can see that about me! And you are welcome. 😊
Love this list, thank you for sharing!
Thank you, and you are welcome! 😊
I love that self care was on the list! I recently read that one way to serve God is to make the most of yourself. I think sometimes we focus on others so much that we lose ourselves.
Yes, that is a very good point, and I think this is especially true with mothers. Everyone must take time to take care of themselves; we cannot love others as ourself if we do not first love ourselves. 🙏🏽💕
This is such a beautiful explanation of how to live a virtuous lifestyle! I’m always looking for ways to better myself.
Thank you, I am glad you find this inspiring! 💕
You are a beautiful person inside and out. I am so glad we “stumbled” on each other.
Thank you, Nathalie, so are you! 🤗💕🌸
Love all of these! Some definitely come more naturally than others but all truly do make up the Proverbs 31 woman.
Thank you, Sarah! 😊
Very good article post. Much thanks again. Fantastic.
You’re welcome, and thank you! 😊
This is so inspiring and necessary! We need a practical blueprint to help lead us on the journey where virtuous women prosper.
Thank you, I agree! 🥰🙏🏽
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