What does it mean that a wise woman builds her house? Let’s find the meaning of Proverbs 14:1, so we can enjoy Christian family life more.
Do you want to be a Proverbs 14:1 woman?
How important is it to you to enjoy family life? To feel connected with your Christian family, comfortable in your home, and at peace with those who are most important to you?
It’s almost a trick question, friend. I know it is WILDLY important to you!
Lately, I’ve been struggling to find joy and peace in my own home life. I’ve been diving into Scripture trying to find wisdom and help.
And I’ve been blown away by Proverbs 14:1.
“A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.” (NLT)
Yikes. I want to be that wise woman!! Don’t you??
So today we’re digging into what it really looks like to build our homes well, like the wise woman here of Proverbs 14:1.
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Christian family life matters
Lately, I’ve spent a good deal of time reflecting on what home life and family life means to me.
Why invest all this time and energy into this place? These people? It seems obvious why family matters so much to us… but do I live my day-to-day life in a way that really shows that? Am I really living out what I believe is most important?
Big questions, my friend! And I know I’m not alone here. You have similar questions!
A wise woman... knows that her family life truly does matter.
Mom life is tiring. Family life can be hard.
But every minute of time, emotion, energy, and love that you pour into your family matters.
And we have to invest that time wisely.
There are many places in the Bible where we see that family life is meaningful and important.
- Creation: God starts with the family: man and woman, with the command to be fruitful and multiply.
- The Old Testament: God chooses a people to be his “family.” His chosen people. And He builds a home with them, dwelling in the tabernacle/temple.
- The New Testament: Jesus (the Son of God!) came to live with us, with humans. And because of his death and resurrection, we can be adopted into God’s own family! As believers, the Holy Spirit is in us today… talk about intimacy with the Lord.
A wise woman... follows biblical principles for her home life.
God describes healthy relationships as being compassionate, patient, loving, and more. (See 1 Corinthians 13 or Colossians 3 for some good examples.)
If you are going to be the wise woman of Proverbs 14:1, building up your home instead of foolishly tearing it down, these qualities are so important.
Home should be your safe place. And not just yours, but for your whole family!
Building your home means creating a place where your people are loved, cherished, and welcomed. A place where they can relax, feel comfortable, and experience care and love.
Consider the following biblical principles for family relationships, and what you are doing to show them in your own home:
- The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)
- Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience… forgive one another… And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-14)
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Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
A wise woman... knows there will be tough seasons, and find encouragement from the Lord
Do you feel discouraged? Frustrated? You may want to give up, or you may feel angry or depressed about how your home life is looking today.
Be encouraged, friend! The Lord delights to give us wisdom when we ask for it. (James 1:5)
Sure, you’ll mess up sometimes. Maybe a lot. I certainly do! But we admit our mistakes, confess to the Lord and to our people, and we try again. We cover every moment of our home life with grace.
And ultimately, the wise woman in Proverbs 14:1 is not building her home from her own strength, creativity, loving feelings, or wisdom.
No. Instead, the wise woman trusts in God.
As we build our homes, as we love our families, we trust in the Lord: his grace, his goodness, his power, and his faithfulness.
Listen to Episode #114
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