The Proverbs 31 passage describes the physical clothing of the Proverbs 31 woman. But, it doesn’t stop there because while our clothing is what people see, it is not nearly as important as our hearts. The virtuous woman dresses herself with strength and honor, going against the flow and opposition that she faces, and steadily doing what’s right. Because of that, she will be able to reap the blessings and rejoice in the future. Let’s look at Proverbs 31:25 and some ways that we can dress ourselves with strength and honor!
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
Proverbs 31:25
1. Moral Strength and Being Honorable (Proverbs 31:25
We’ve already talked about how the word virtue implies strength or moral courage. Here again, we see that the Proverbs 31 woman is strong. She is honorable. She has God-given convictions and principles and doesn’t let those go. This is not an easy thing to do.
The world is always going one way while we try to go the other way, and in the process, it’s easy to get knocked down, turned around and confused, and even to decide that it’s okay to go the other way since that’s what most people are doing. It’s not easy to be made fun of and looked down on because you live by different principles than someone else.
This is especially true when it’s another believer telling you that you are too strict. But, don’t lose heart, dear sister! Be strong in the Lord! The Bible tells us to expect persecution, but it also promises us that when we are weak, then He is strong. The Proverbs 31 woman is strong, not because she is something special or has it all together, but because she is going in the strength of the Lord and mounting up on wings as eagles.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2. She May Not Always Be Honored
As we saw hinted in the last section, being honorable and being honored are two different things. Being honorable is something we have a say in. We can choose to let the Lord help us be obedient to His Word and walk in a way that is pleasing to Him.
On the other hand, we can’t always choose to be honored and still remain honorable. Some people honor the wrong thing. To gain their respect, we would have to go against the Lord’s teachings. Our focus should be on being honorable and pleasing the Lord, no matter what anyone else says or does.
Do you know what? The Bible actually says that when we love and seek the Lord, He honors us! That’s an amazing privilege that the powerful God Who made the world would show us honor. That alone is completely worth giving up the honor of everyone else on earth if necessary!
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
3. Rejoicing in the Future for Right Action in Past
I have struggled with regrets, haven’t you? I think most of us do. But you know what? Usually, those regrets are there because we made a wrong choice. This verse tells us that the Proverbs 31 woman is going to rejoice in time to come. Why? Because of the moral strength she had and the honorable way she lived.
Now, I’m not going to tell you that if you follow the Lord you will never wish you had done differently. There may be times when the enemy gets you down and tries to make you regretful. There will also be times when you stumble and fall in your walk with the Lord, and wish that you would have let Him help you make the right choice. But, if you press on in His strength and remain faithful to the end, there will be a time when you reach Heaven and rejoice forevermore in the presence of the Lord, grateful for every right action He helped you to make.
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
4. Clothing – She Doesn’t Hide What She Believes and Stands For
Did you notice that it says strength and honor are her clothing? What is one of the first things you usually notice about a person when you see them? Their clothing! Sometimes even before we notice what color hair someone has or what they look like, we see their clothing. What someone chooses to wear says a lot about who they are as a person.
This verse seems to indicate that the Proverbs 31 woman’s strength and honorable behavior are very visible. She doesn’t hide her convictions in embarrassment but lives out her beliefs no matter who she is around or where she is. We all know that this takes strength! Only the Lord’s strength can enable us to do that.
Very often, when we choose to follow the Lord, it is going to make us stand out. Sometimes, this may make us feel uncomfortable. It is human nature to like to blend in and be like those around us. But, God has not called us to blend. He has called us to stand out as salt and light in a dark and dying world.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
We do not have to purposefully try to stand out. If we are following the principles of God’s Word, we will automatically stand out because that is not the governing influence for most people’s lives. Don’t be bothered by being different. Thank the Lord that He has saved you and made you different – pure and holy instead of living in sin and death.
Simple Takeaway
- Live out your God-given convictions! In His strength, do not compromise or back down on following the Lord and the clear instructions of His Word.
- Don’t attempt to do this in your own strength. Our strength will never be enough. The Proverbs 31 woman was strong in the Lord, not her own strength, and you must be too!
- Look to the Lord and His Word for the affirmation that you are doing right. Culture and other people are always going to change, but He never does. The truth of His Word will stand forever!
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
Let’s Chat!
What does Proverbs 31:25 and the thought of wearing strength and honor bring to your mind? Do you have anything to share about standing up for what you believe even when it makes you look different?
Until next time, lean on the Lord for strength, stand up for Jesus, and stand upon the never-changing Word of God!
Bethany
I’m still catching up on the other Proverbs 31 posts, but I have to tell you that they are amazing, and I’ve really enjoyed and grown through them. I can see God working through you, dear sister ❤
Aww, I’m so glad the Proverbs 31 posts have been a blessing to you, Sarah! Praise the Lord for using them!! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment, dear sister.