Women & Relationships
Genesis 1:27 - "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" (NIV).
Genesis 3:16 - "To the woman he said, 'I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you'” (NIV).
Proverbs 4:23 - "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (NIV).
Proverbs 31:30 - "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised" (NIV).
1 Peter 3:3-4 - "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight" (NIV).
God created humans in his image - both male and female. The image of God is completed in BOTH male and female. In God's eyes, women are not second place, weaker or less valuable than men. They hold a prime position with God, created in his image to rule and reign with Jesus (Gen. 1:28; Col. 3:1-4). Women should hold themselves with dignity, recognizing their value and status as daughters of the King.
As a result of the fall, women often see human relationships as something that will satisfy them at the deepest level. Even a husband will not fill the void that only God can (Gen. 3:16). It is important for the woman to recognize that a best friend, a boyfriend, a husband or a soulmate will never compare to a relationship with the living God.
When human relationships are put in a proper perspective, God delights in providing friendships and family to bring strength, comfort and companionship into our lives. What then are some principles for women as they relate to the men around them and to a potential spouse?
Hold yourself with dignity. Remember, your value comes from your Father in heaven. Even when men around you do not confirm your great value, hold to the truth of your Father's opinion. When you move away from this solid foundation, you become desperate for attention and comfort (which a mere man was never designed to give you). Desperation in relationships is not attractive. It reveals a choice to walk in unbelief regarding your status as a daughter of the King.
You have a soulmate in Jesus. Invest your time and attention into your love relationship with Jesus. He is the One who comforts and fulfills like no other. Let your greatest attraction be your spirit that is captivated by Jesus (1 Peter 3:3-4). A man who loves Jesus as you do is worth pursuing. Don't settle for a man who wants you more than he wants Jesus. You will never be enough for him.
Pray more. Talk less. Women are often more naturally gifted than men at discerning the inner workings of relationships. And women often love to talk about these relationships. Hold back from gossip or even needless verbal examining of relationships. When attraction to a certain man begins to surface in your life, talk with your Father in heaven about it. He has specific wisdom for your situation and delights in giving it (James 1:5-8).
Walk in purity. Guard your heart in devotion to Jesus (Prov. 4:23). In the same way, guard your body, mind and emotions in devotion to Jesus. In an effort to attract men, don't give yourself away by how you dress or talk. Flirting with clothes, hands or voice is not the way to attract a man of God. Commit yourself to walking in holiness as you relate with men. Trust that God will draw out his man for you at the right time.
For More Study
Thoughts and Questions for Application
Memorization
Proverbs 31:30 - "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised" (NIV).
Genesis 3:16 - "To the woman he said, 'I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you'” (NIV).
Proverbs 4:23 - "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (NIV).
Proverbs 31:30 - "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised" (NIV).
1 Peter 3:3-4 - "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight" (NIV).
God created humans in his image - both male and female. The image of God is completed in BOTH male and female. In God's eyes, women are not second place, weaker or less valuable than men. They hold a prime position with God, created in his image to rule and reign with Jesus (Gen. 1:28; Col. 3:1-4). Women should hold themselves with dignity, recognizing their value and status as daughters of the King.
As a result of the fall, women often see human relationships as something that will satisfy them at the deepest level. Even a husband will not fill the void that only God can (Gen. 3:16). It is important for the woman to recognize that a best friend, a boyfriend, a husband or a soulmate will never compare to a relationship with the living God.
When human relationships are put in a proper perspective, God delights in providing friendships and family to bring strength, comfort and companionship into our lives. What then are some principles for women as they relate to the men around them and to a potential spouse?
Hold yourself with dignity. Remember, your value comes from your Father in heaven. Even when men around you do not confirm your great value, hold to the truth of your Father's opinion. When you move away from this solid foundation, you become desperate for attention and comfort (which a mere man was never designed to give you). Desperation in relationships is not attractive. It reveals a choice to walk in unbelief regarding your status as a daughter of the King.
You have a soulmate in Jesus. Invest your time and attention into your love relationship with Jesus. He is the One who comforts and fulfills like no other. Let your greatest attraction be your spirit that is captivated by Jesus (1 Peter 3:3-4). A man who loves Jesus as you do is worth pursuing. Don't settle for a man who wants you more than he wants Jesus. You will never be enough for him.
Pray more. Talk less. Women are often more naturally gifted than men at discerning the inner workings of relationships. And women often love to talk about these relationships. Hold back from gossip or even needless verbal examining of relationships. When attraction to a certain man begins to surface in your life, talk with your Father in heaven about it. He has specific wisdom for your situation and delights in giving it (James 1:5-8).
Walk in purity. Guard your heart in devotion to Jesus (Prov. 4:23). In the same way, guard your body, mind and emotions in devotion to Jesus. In an effort to attract men, don't give yourself away by how you dress or talk. Flirting with clothes, hands or voice is not the way to attract a man of God. Commit yourself to walking in holiness as you relate with men. Trust that God will draw out his man for you at the right time.
For More Study
- Genesis 16
- Proverbs 31:10-31
- John 20:10-18
- 2 Timothy 2:14-26
Thoughts and Questions for Application
- Do you love Jesus more than your man (or your dream of a man)? How much time do you spend thinking or talking about your man versus Jesus?
- Take some time to meditate on Ephesians 1-3. What is God saying to you about your identity in Jesus? Can you thank him for how he made you?
- Take some time to meditate on Ephesians 4. Can you allow God to scan your relationships according to his best path laid out in Ephesians 4? Do you recognize God's gifts in you? Are your words truth-filled and wholesome as you relate with friends and those of the opposite sex?
Memorization
Proverbs 31:30 - "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised" (NIV).
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