There is much wisdom in this post. God bless you for this testimony.
I agree, it's just not worth it to pursue a relationship if it's the wrong relationship with the wrong person.
Yes, Hisservantstriker, nice addition.
And, thank you, whatever may I say, I pray, comes from Him, is for Him, for His glory, for your all blessing on here. He leads.
And, it's not just the wrong relationship with the wrong person that we should choose to keep from pursuing, as He leads us differently, but it's the motivation that's driving us to want to pursue that relationship.
A girl bumping into us with her body is not a proper turn-on, I don't think.
Our motivation for going out with a girl should be based on the spiritual values we've chose to believe from when we chose Christ as our Saviour and Lord of our lives.
Proverbs 31 is beautiful Scripture, poetic Truth, and, it's the right kind of woman a Christian guy should want to pursue after she's made 'advances' toward him in a Godly-womanly nature, if that makes any sense.
The Lord leads
This first part of Prov. 31 speaks of what things should not cause us to want to pursue a woman, and, keep in mind, please, that pursuance of this kind of woman will end someone's life in 'ruin,' at least, it did ruin 'the kings' Lemuel spoke of in Proverbs 31.
In other words, we men should not go after women who attract us for the wrong reasons, that would be a royal error.
Through everything in her, we should see that she stands for Him, above all else, she stands up for Him in her life.
Proverbs 31:
1 The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
3Do not spend your strength[SUP]a[/SUP] on women,
your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4It is not for kings, Lemuel—
it is not for kings to drink wine,
not for rulers to crave beer,
5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,
and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6Let beer be for those who are perishing,
wine for those who are in anguish!
7Let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
9Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Notice, the word 'women' is said in a negative connotation in this first reference of verse 3.
Here is the kind of
woman we should look into the eyes of and see God exuding from her heart, from her ways she speaks to us, from her character, from her appearance, that is clothed and adorned in His splendor for her.
Notice, this 'woman' of whom we should seek after is our.... 'wife.'
And, this
woman, who is among
women, is spoken of in postive connotation in verse 29-30
10[SUP]
b[/SUP] A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29“Many
women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a
woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
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