Teaching
QUALITIES
TO DEVELOP AS A WOMAN OF GOD - PART 7
by Linda Christine Mumba
Read 2 Peter 1 -
We are instructed to give all diligence in adding the
qualities from 2 Peter 1:5-7 to our faith.
DILIGENCE _ Spoude
(Greek) = eagerness, earnestness,
carefulness, faithful applications to one’s work.
In 2 Peter1 we are
instructed to add to our faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance,
to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness
and to brotherly kindness love.
When we develop these qualities we will become more Christ-like and our
lives will not be unproductive and unfruitful.
We are not changing
to earn our salvation because that is a gift from God.
It is because we are saved, that we love God and therefore
want to obey Him and change to be all that we can be
in Him.
Philippians 2:12-13
"Therefore my
beloved brethren, as you have always obeyed, not in my
presence only, but now much more in my absense, work
out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it
is God who works in you both to will and to do for His
good pleasure".
We are told in 2 Peter
1:2 as we gro to know Jesus more and more grace and peace
will be multiplied to us.
All the seven qualities
Peter has listed are essential, they work together and
we need to develop them together.
Peter tells us that
if we keep increasing in these qualities they will keep
us from being idle or unfruitful and we will never stumble
or fall.
Proverbs 31:10-31
Lets study different
areas where the Proverbs 31 woman displays diligence.
In verse 17 it states," she girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms."
She has a general attitude
of diligence throughout the whole passage.
Money management -verse 11 states" The heart of her husband safely trusts
her; so he will have no lack of gain".
verse 16 states " she
considers a field and buys it". - she doesn’t
make hasty decisions.
Read Proverbs
27:23
Homemaking - verse
14 states " she is like the merchant ships, she
brings her food from afar."
verse 22 states " she
makes tapestry for herself."
verse 14 states, " she
is like the merchant ships, she brings her
food from afar."
Throughout the whole passage we can clearly see she manages her home well and takes care of her family.
Read Proverbs 23:30 & Deut
6:4-7
Time Management -
verse 15 " she also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for
her household, And a portion for her maidservants."
verse 18 states " she does not eat the bread of idleness."
So we can see that
she is organised and makes the most of her time.
Self - Control -
verse 12 states about her treatment of her husband," she does him good
and not evil All the days of her life."
verse 26 states, "she
opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue
is the law of kindness."
We see from these verses that she has control of her emotions and her tongue.
Read Proverbs
13:4
Preparation
verse 21, "she is not afraid of snow for her household, For her household
is clothed with scarlet."
This verse shows us
that she thinks ahead and plans.
Read Proverbs
21:5
Givingv20 states ,"she
extends her hand to the poor, Yes she reaches
her hands to the needy."
Read 2 Corinthians
8:1-7
Her relationship with God
verse 30 states," a woman
who fears the Lord, she shall be
praised."
The motivation to all
we do should be out of our love for God and a desire
to obey Him.
Her Business
verse 18 states, " she perceives that her merchandise is good, And her
lamp does not go out by night. She stretdhes her hand to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle."
verse 24 states,"she
makes linen garments and sells them, And
supplies sashes for the merchants."
Read Proverbs
22:29
So we see that she
is a diligent worker willing to work hard and she sees
the fruit of her labour.
This passage can be
the vision for our lives - a lifetime goal, we are changing
from glory to glory. It is a process and we can be inspired
by the Proverbs 31 woman, she can help us to know what
qualities to aim for.
How do we become
diligent ?
1) Ask God to give
you the desire to be diligent and to change you. He promises
to help us when we ask Him.
Heb 4:14-16
2) Confess the Word
- find scriptures and confess them in your own life,
remember from 2 Peter we can participate in the divine
nature.
3) Be motivated - think
about the benefits ie: how becoming diligent will give
you a better quality of life.
4) Exercise self-control
- God has given us a spirit of power, love and self-control.
2 Tim1:7 We need to
continue exercising self-control and then we will become
diligent.
5) Realise the opposite
of diligent is laziness which is a sin.
6) Whatever you do
do it heartily as to the Lord not man, then you will
receive a reward.
Read Colossians
3:23
Examine your own
heart and answer the following questions :
Are you diligent in
your relationship with God.
in guarding your heart
in giving
at work
in the home
in your finances
in serving your church
in your relationships / or in looking after your family
in planning & preparing for the future
in teaching your children the ways of God
in loving otherslets not be overwhelmed by the list but ask God which
areas you need to work on at the present time. With His help let’s keep
moving forward and changing from glory to glory.
This week how can I
add to my faith :
Virtue:
Knowledge:
Self-Control:
Patience:
Godliness:
Brotherly-kindness:
Love:
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