The Bold, Religious Looks of a Woman

You can listen to this post (last week’s podcast) here.

They say that we spend 1/5 of our life talking! How many of those words are spoken carelessly or in haste? How many are sincere and uplifting to our mate? Since our speech fills many hours of our life, God gives us wise instruction about what to say and how to say it. Surprisingly, we can act like the “strange woman” in Proverbs 7 by these three actions that follow.

The “Strange Woman” in Proverbs 7, is an adulterous woman who had some pretty smooth words and facial expressions that communicated to a man what she wanted. Listen to what she says when she meets him:

So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent (brazen) face said unto him,  I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. Verses 13-14

The “brazen” look she has on her face is a bold look. She was ill-mannered because she is arrogant and defiant. Her face and her words are tossed out carelessly. These are actions and words that warn us. What should we heed from the way she talks?

1. Don’t keep a man’s gaze. She was bold when she spoke to this foolish man. Our warning is to look at the man that is speaking to you, but don’t hold his gaze. Look away. Look down, then up again. Keeping his gaze is the wrong kind of communication.
   In our marriage, however, we should be looking at our husband when he is communicating with us! Look him in the eyes. Meet his gaze. Let him know you are engaged in what he is saying.
2. Don’t be bold with your expression. This bold woman had a brazen air. We all know what this looks like on a woman. She’s flirtatious and is inviting with her look. Beware of your facial expression when talking to a man who isn’t your husband.
   However, when you are talking to your spouse, make sure your face is inviting. Are you scowling? Are you raising your eyebrows in disgust or furrowing your brow in disagreement? Be conscious of what your face is communicating to your mate.
   Right or wrong, men interpret their world through the respect grid, and a wife’s softened tone and facial expression can do more for her marriage than she can imagine. ~Emerson Eggrich
3. Don’t use religious jargon. The Strange woman sounds religious . She had paid her peace offerings and her vows. “She dared not play the harlot with a man until she had played the hypocrite with God and stopped the mouth of her conscience with her fellowship offerings. We cannot use grace to sin. Romans 6:1-2
   She was telling him she had good food at home. This was used for her freewill offering. She has prepared food and offered it to him if he would come home with her.
   How should this challenge us? Our words and our life must line up. In a very practical way, we should be preparing good food for our husband for when he returns home. Remind him that a good meal will be ready for him upon his return!
   We should be using sincere, godly speech. How can we do that? Tell what you’re learning in your Bible reading or about what God is teaching you. Ask how you can pray for him. Remind him of God’s promises! Encourage him to follow God’s leading in your family and remind him of your support.

Your words can go a long way to encourage your spouse. Your expressions and your speech are so important to him. Keep those words and looks only for the man you marry, and none other.

May the books of words that we fill up in our lifetime be ones that are marked by godliness and sincerity!