Proverbs 31:26 (NLT)

When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.

A few questions for husbands: How often do you take your wife’s advice? How often does she offer words of wisdom? How often do you ask her for her input…and how well do you listen? Now, a few questions for wives: Do you offer your advice to your husband…or force it on him? Do you align your words with Scripture before sharing them? When you offer instruction, do you bathe it in kindness and deliver it with patience? Once again, it seems we can all learn something from these descriptions of a “Proverbs 31 Woman.”

Matthew Henry’s commentary on this passage is too rich not to share and comment on:

“She is discreet and obliging; every word she says shows she governs herself by the rules of wisdom. She not only takes prudent measures herself but gives prudent advice to others. The law of love and kindness is written in the heart and shows itself in the tongue. Her heart is full of another world, even when her hands are most busy about this world. Above all, she fears the Lord. Beauty recommends none to God, nor is it any proof of wisdom and goodness, but it has deceived many a man who made his choice of a wife by it. But the fear of God reigning in the heart, is the beauty of the soul; it lasts forever.”

Imagine a local church body that is exemplified by this kind of “other worldly” living! The calm demeanor and sage words of wisdom would be irresistible. The love and kindness shown, both inside and outside the body, would offer proof of the Lordship of Christ himself. The busyness of life would be accompanied by the occasional far-away glances that reveal a confident hope that there are amazing days ahead…an already purchased future that beckons the Christian to dream and wonder.

Now imagine this passage being an accurate description of yourself…and if you are married, your spouse as well. What a powerful walk with Christ that would be! What a counter-cultural example of a life in pursuit of holiness! What a blessing to everyone involved! Oh, that we would all measure ourselves by these beautiful character traits and strive by the power of the Holy Spirit to live them out!