PREACHING FOR MAY 12, 2024:

Pastor Antonio Russo

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A WOMAN OF GOD

This service of worship falls on the day of the feast of mothers and, in line with the occasion, the theme dealt with concerns precisely the characteristics of a woman of God. In the meantime, let’s start by saying that we need to understand that there is a clear difference between being good women and being women of God. Unfortunately hell is full of good people who have not been men and women of God. There is nothing wrong with being good, but there is something much greater and special that God wants them to accomplish. Throughout the Bible we find women who have served God, who have done extraordinary things for Him, who have received a call from God and who have walked in faith. However, we find ourselves in a culture that often discredits women, but this has nothing to do with God; in fact, religion has also created problems and disasters in people’s lives. After man has sinned, God has given judgments, but let us remember that at every act of obedience there is always a reward and at every act of disobedience there is always a punishment. Within our families, we have learned that when our children disobey, the way to get them back on the right path is through punishment. So it is important to make them understand the mistake, apply the punishment and help them avoid it in the future, especially when they are young. Glory be to God for parents who have known the Lord, who have married in the Lord and had children who can be brought up, as the Bible says, in the fear of God.

Genesis 3:15; 15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.

Many know the writing of the woman who crushes the head of the snake, mistakenly thinking that it is Mary, but, in reality, scripturally, it is the seed of the woman, Jesus, who crushes the head of the snake. Then God predicts that "riferimento a genesi ", indicating the suffering of the Cross. Before the fall, God showed His original intention for man and woman, who were to be co-heirs and co-rulers of the earth, but after sin, God’s original order was distorted, initiating conflicts between males and females, contrary to the divine intention of unity and equality. So then the whole conflict started, with the man who wants to dominate at all costs on the life of the woman, even with violence, unfortunately, but this is not God’s plan, because the woman wants to control the man, but from the beginning, it was not so. In fact, God teaches us that He is leading us to His original intentions and from that moment something special happens: the husband renounces his responsibility as a priest of the house. The wife usurps the authority that God has given to the husband and today we see around us the result: a disaster, total confusion, exchange of roles that do not reflect reality. Each of us needs to renew our minds, because the culture of this world is not the culture of the Kingdom of God, because in some parts of society woman is seen as a being inferior to man, in others as a slave, and in others simply as a sexual object. So, there are so many different visions, but for clarity, we have to go to the Word to understand what God teaches us about this reality. Unfortunately, this negative influence has also been poured into the churches, with some denominations seeing and treating women as inferior to men, and in these women are often limited in their actions and have no opportunities, but in this community, there is a bright future and wonderful opportunities and even if there has been persecution, what matters is the will of God expressed in His Word. Jesus brought a revolution also in this area, restoring dignity to women, this is witnessed by the fact that the first person to see Jesus risen and to receive the command to announce him to the disciples. There is no difference between man and woman in Christ; although there are distinctions of roles, both have the same dignity before God. It is important to understand that women have no limits in serving God, and those who believe in this can be persecuted, but that is what God said in His Word. God is restoring all things, and one of them is marriage; indeed, within it, there are distinct roles and an order established by God. Although both spouses have authority, the last word is up to the husband to avoid confusion, but it is important that there is a dialogue to come to a conclusion. The husband, as head of the family, has the final responsibility and must assume the role of priest of his family, always considering the will of God. Even Jesus, when he was on earth, said: "I do nothing by myself except what my Father tells me". In the same way, the Holy Spirit operates today on earth, in the Church and in the world, doing nothing by himself if he is not told by Jesus and the Father; "He will speak to us of all that he will hear and announce to us things to come". When we submit to the divine order, men and women receive blessings in the house and the children enjoy serenity. It is important to return to the original order of God in order to put an end to discrimination and male chauvinism, guaranteeing them the opportunities they deserve.

Acts 3:21; 21 that heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, of which God spoke by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.

God is restoring woman in the Church, in the family, and in society, bringing her back to her original state as a companion and co-heir alongside man.

Galatians 3:28; 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

The apostle Paul, while Jewish, reveals to us by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that in Christ there are no distinctions between Jews and Greeks, slaves and free. There is no longer even the difference between male and female, because we are all one in Christ, enjoying the same legacy, it is God himself who is leading this work of restoration in the Church and in society.

Acts 3:19; 19 Repent therefore and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

Jesus Christ, preached earlier, must return, but when will His return occur? It depends on heaven, which holds him until the time of the restoration of all things. Despite human movements such as feminism, which have nothing to do with God and His Word, women have great inner potential and a role beyond the mere domestic realm. The prayer aims to bring the woman back to her original state, as a convenient help for the man, not a slave or a maid. The differences between man and woman, not only physically but also internally, reflect a complementarity that, if accepted and practiced, becomes a spiritual dynamite in the world. We shall now speak of the hallmarks of a woman of God, whom we learn through His precious, blessed and wondrous Word. What distinguishes a woman of God? It is important for them to understand these signs, because there are aspects in a woman’s life that they must improve and change to align with the divine will.

Then we go to the Word; meanwhile, we will make a list, from which we will speak only of the first two signs or two characteristics. A woman of God has a strong communion with God, so she is virtuous; she is capable and strong; she is spiritual and calm; she is submissive and holy; she is an encouraging and a collaborator; she is a confidant and a person who stands by, working and supporting her husband; She is a blessed woman. The characteristics that define a woman of God reflect the Holy Spirit, the Comforter and the Paraclete, who works with us rather than in our place. As the Holy Spirit does not replace, but collaborates, so also the woman does not do things in the place of man, but with him. Therefore, it is important that women can understand that being a virtuous, encouraging, consoling, intelligent and strong woman, is not limited to the role of housewife, but God has prepared for them much more. Husbands must encourage their wives to realize God’s plan for their lives, and every woman must aspire to be according to God’s heart, a wife and a mother, submitting to the divine will expressed in God’s Word.

Now let us examine the first two characteristics of a woman of God:

1) A woman of God is distinguished by her strong communion with God.

This gives her a clear identity and allows her to face life’s challenges with confidence. This communion does not make her dependent on the love or prayers of others, but makes her able to face problems with maturity and serenity. God’s absolute priority in his life is also evident in his family relationships, where God is always put first, followed by his spouse and children. This divine order brings order and harmony to the family, avoiding conflict and promoting the spiritual growth of all members. Communion with God is nourished by obedience, by His fear and by constant communication with Him, which are fundamental to maintaining a firm and continuous relationship with the Lord.

2) A woman of God is virtuous.

We can learn the meaning of this in the book of Proverbs:

Proverbs 31:10-31; 10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.

The question of the proverb concerns the rarity of finding a strong and virtuous woman, who is not easily found in worldly places like nightclubs. This woman is precious, being capable, brilliant, and spiritual—qualities that walk hand in hand and are reflected in the Word and Kingdom of God. To be such a virtuous woman, a woman of God, means being ready to pray and believe in miracles in her life. She is prepared to take action both in the natural and spiritual realms: ready to paint her house, cast out demons from the lives of those afflicted, and make her business thrive. Today, many people are weak and without strength, but as women of God, they are called to be virtuous in both the natural and spiritual realms. So, it’s time for us, as husbands, to recognize and value this blessing we have beside us.

Verse 11; 11; The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.

This indicates that the virtuous woman has entrepreneurial skills; those who do not take advantage of it, deprive themselves of great blessings.

Verse 12; 12 She does him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.

To whom does he do good? To his husband, and by reflection to his family.

Verse 13; 13 She procures wool and flax and works willingly with her hands.

She’s a worker.

Verse 14 -15; 14 She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar. 15 She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.

Who is this woman? She is a virtuous woman.

Verse 16-17; 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

In other words, she works, sows and reaps continuously.

Verse 18; 18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.

The Bible states that the lamp in the human being, in the woman in this case, is her spirit; moreover, she watches, controls and guards.

Verse 19; 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

The conocchia and the spindle are traditional tools used for spinning wool or other yarns, this means that the virtuous woman is always at work.

Verse 20; 20 She extends her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

A virtuous woman, a woman of God, is compassionate and generous.

Verse 21-22; 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

The virtuous woman takes care of her figure, her home and her family.

Verse 23; 23 Her husband is respected at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land.

Why is the husband known? Why is the husband esteemed? Because the wife speaks well of her husband. So when the woman speaks well of her husband, everyone will know and he will be esteemed.

Verse 24-29; 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies belts to the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 ‘Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.

All this, because she is a capable, brilliant and spiritual woman.

Verse 30; 30 Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but the woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

It seems that in all this talk there is no direct connection, but in reality there is: it is about the context of our times, where people often care more about appearing than being authentic, and where social media is mainly used to show itself. However, God tells the strong and virtuous woman not to look for appearance even though it is beautiful to be attractive and graceful, but it is important to value other qualities, what God values, what is interior and not visible at first glance. This is an internal work, so God says that even if you are beautiful on the outside, but then you are missing these inner characteristics, then everything is in vain.

Verse 31; 31 Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates!

Let us close by saying that we have spoken only of two characteristics: the first is that a woman of God has a strong communion with God and the second is that she is a strong and virtuous woman. If our wife is a strong and virtuous woman, let us thank God for this wonderful gift she has given to our life.