In the continuation of this series on feminism, I want to preach a message I've entitled, Feminism, the Rebellion Against Virtuous Womanhood. Feminism, the Rebellion Against Virtuous Womanhood. Now before we look at several biblical texts that highlight what virtuous womanhood according to God looks like, I want to begin by reaffirming the modern day meaning of feminism as well as the pastoral reasons why I am compelled to preach about it as often as I have. Reaching all the way back to the introductory sermon that I preached five weeks ago, I began by stating that feminism according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is, quote, The belief in and advocacy of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes expressed especially through organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests." End quote. Merriam-Webster and many advocating groups of feminism would have us to believe that feminism is simply a harmless cause to honor women. It is merely a sympathetic, sensible effort to make sure that women are treated with respect and are given an opportunity to enjoy the privileges that men enjoy, such as the right to an education and the right to vote. This is what we have been fed to believe regarding feminism. We have been fed to believe that feminism is nothing more than making sure that women are not disregarded, neglected, and mistreated. But I hope you have seen over the last several weeks, especially through the PowerPoint presentation, regarding the lies of feminism, that the feministic movement and the ideologies that are associated with the feministic movement does not support true womanhood and femininity, but actually assaults and tears down womanhood and femininity. While many who advocate for feminism would have you believe that the feministic movement is virtuous, gentle, compassionate, supportive to women, it is actually a demonic, rebellious, self-centered, embittered, loud, and malicious movement that opposes everything that God values in women. Feminism today opposes gender distinction and gender roles as God originally created it. Feminism opposes male leadership as God ordained. Feminism opposes the biblical teaching that women were created to be a helpmate to men as God intends. And feminism opposes the blessings of marriage, family, and childbearing as God honors. Modern-day feminism today is about a woman's right to live however she wants. Modern-day feminism is about males being females and females being males. Modern-day feminism is about promoting and celebrating women going to college, getting a career, becoming a successful businesswoman, making lots of money, living for herself so that she can enjoy the physical satisfactions of life. Modern-day feminism tells women that having a career is more meaningful than being married and having children. Modern-day feminism is about women having the right to do with their body what they want to do. Modern-day feminism is enticing women to be a goddess, to tap into their inner strength and power, and to discover powers that lie within them. This is what modern day feminism is. We looked at this last week. Feminism, doctrinally speaking, is essentially Eve listening to the serpent's lies, rebelling against the commands of God, and encouraging men to join in on their rebellion. And this leads me then to clarify once again why I am preaching on this subject over and over and over. I would hope that it would be obvious to you by now, but for those wondering why, I am attacking the subject of feminism so strongly. Week after week, you need to understand that it is my calling as a pastor, as a preacher, to teach you the truth of scripture. I have a divine charge. from the senior shepherd of our church to preach the word, to be instant, in season, and out of season, to reprove, to rebuke, and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. As Paul warned other Christians to be watchful, of ungodly philosophies that creep into the church after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world and not after Christ. So I am to warn Christians to be watchful of those teachings that adamantly oppose God. So why am I preaching this series on feminism? Because the ideologies of feminism contradicts the truth of scripture in every way. The modern day feministic movement opposes true biblical femininity and is leading both men and women down a pathway, listen, of misery, loneliness, and death. Modern day feminism hates God. It detests true womanhood, it despises marriage, it leads to the murder of babies, and it's absolutely ruining our homes, our churches, and the moral framework of our society. And unless somebody boldly stands up and confronts it, it will continue to lead others to swallow the lies of Satan. Why am I preaching against feminism? Because over the last 100 years, Christians have been slowly conformed to its image without even recognizing it. Listen, we know, and we can quote Romans chapter 12, verse two. Some of you know it, you have it memorized. Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may be, what? in submission to that which is good, acceptable, and perfect. But sadly, the reality is many who quote this verse do not recognize that they have been conformed to the world through the teachings of feminism. So what I'm seeking to do in this series is to show you the specific ways that we have been conformed to its image so that we can turn from it, so that we can repent of it, so that we can reconsider and think differently about things. It's one thing for a preacher to stand up here and say in a general sense, don't sin, don't do it, don't you dare sin. It's one thing for a preacher to say, don't be like the world, Be different from the world. Live for God. Men be men, women be women. But it's another thing for a preacher to show you in a specific way what sin is, what sin looks like, what conformity to the world is within the church. What exactly God expects of men and what exactly God expects of women, you see? I fear that one of the greatest problems with Christian teaching today is that pastors do not properly explain and illustrate Bible truths. Yes, we tell people to pray, but we are also called to teach them how to pray. The do's and don'ts of prayer. Yes, we are to tell people to love Jesus, but we are to expound upon what that really means in a tangible sense. We are called to tell parents to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, but many times we fail to give practical helps regarding what that involves. Are you with me? This is why I'm preaching on the subject of feminism. If I just in one sermon say feminism is bad and you need to oppose it, you're going to look at me cross-eyed and wonder what I am even talking about. But if I show you what it is and how it differs from the Bible, if I show you what God's Word says and compare it with the ideologies that are gushing out through the public schools, the universities, our television screens, our phones, the magazines we read, the music we listen to, the movies we watch, the celebrities who talk and think they know everything, then hopefully we will have the discernment to know what is holy and what is not, what is truth and what is error. So this is my fundamental purpose in speaking on this subject. My driving aim, listen, my driving aim is for you to know the truth. for you to love the truth, for you then to live by the truth, to share the truth so that you will live a life that is joyful, fruitful, and ultimately pleasing to God. Remember, the thief cometh not but for to steal, kill, and to destroy. That's Satan's will for your life. And he's gonna throw everything he can at you to make sure that you do not enjoy the abundant life. But Jesus says, I have come so that you might have life and life more abundantly. So my purpose in speaking of feminism is not to attack women or men for that matter. I hope the men are healed from last week. My purpose is to encourage you to experience the blessed and bountiful life that God intends for you, your family, our church, and for Christianity around the world. Have I made my point? Have I satisfied the questioners and the murmurers? I have two more sermons to speak about this subject and I'm feeling something that what I'm preaching is out of touch with reality. I feel some of you think that I'm just wasting my time. Feminism is not really a big deal. They're bigger fish to fry when I'm showing you from scripture that God's ways are being attacked and the influence upon Christianity is being demolished through the ungodly teachings of feminism. So there has to be a young David foolish enough to approach the giant and say, is there not a cause? If I will be that young David who looks foolish in the eyes of others, so be it. But eventually you'll see it. Eventually you'll see its influence on our culture, on our churches, on Christians. All right, enough of that. I must go on with the sermon. As I mentioned, the title of my message is Feminism, the Rebellion Against Virtuous Womanhood. And my goal in this sermon is to show you the characteristic of three virtuous, honorable, righteous, noble, God-fearing women in the scriptures, and then compare them with how the Bible describes women who are unholy, worldly, and a disgrace to true womanhood. So we begin in the chapter of all chapters on biblical womanhood and biblical femininity, Proverbs chapter 31. Now this text used to be the instruction manual for Christian women that has now become nothing more than a nice, sentimental, fictional story of a woman that's briefly acknowledged on Mother's Day. Sadly, because of the influence of feminism, the truths of Proverbs 31 have become nothing more than cute quotations that are slapped on a Hobby Lobby poster or a Hallmark greeting card rather than divine truths to live by. And I'm asserting to you that what we read here in the scripture in Proverbs 31 is not fiction, it is truth. This is not merely a sappy story of a woman who lives in a fairytale land. This is not Disney. This is a description of a godly woman that is to be the example of womanhood and femininity. This is, mothers, what you should be teaching and exemplifying to your daughters. This is, fathers, what you should be encouraging your daughters to grow up to be. Oh, you thought you were off the hook, fathers? Not tonight, sorry. Young men, this is, young men, what you should look for in a wife. Somebody help me out. This is, young women, what you should strive to work for in one day being a wife. Stop looking to Taylor Swift and look to the Proverbs 31 woman. The Proverbs 31 woman is a beautiful woman. She's an honorable woman. She's a rich woman in every sense. She's a strong woman. She's a hardworking woman. She is a woman worthy of our consideration. So let's look at it together. I will read verses 10 through 31, and then briefly note several characteristics about this woman. As I read the text, I want you to notice where the focus of her work lies. Notice what she values and treasures. Notice her characteristics. Notice how she spends her time and energy. Notice the mentioning of her relationships. Notice the commendable godly attributes that God lavishes on those women who fear him. Proverbs 31, beginning in verse 10. Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool and flax and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchant's ships, she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night and giveth meat to her household and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field and buyeth it, with the fruit of her hand she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good, her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor, yea, she stretcheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow, for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry, her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honor are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her in the gates. Wow. What a woman. Did you catch the godly characteristics of the Proverbs 31 woman? Let me briefly give them to you. First we find, verse 30, that she is a woman who ultimately fears the Lord. That means she is a woman who loves God, which means she is a woman who is striving to obey God's word and striving to submit to God's will. She is a woman who loves what God loves and hates what God hates. She is a woman who wants to make an impact for God's eternal kingdom rather than seeking to live for the fleeting pleasures of this life. And we see the essence of her godliness through the characteristics that are highlighted in verses 10 through 31. She is not just someone who says that she loves God, she is someone through her love for others who shows that she loves God. She is not just a hearer of God's word, she is a doer of God's word. Now notice them with me. First, we see in her relationship to others that she is a faithful, devoted, loving, supportive, respectful wife to her husband. Verses 11 and 12. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. Verse 23, her husband is known in the gates when he sitteth among the elders of the land. Verse 28, or sorry, verse 28, previous one, verse 23, her children arise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praiseth her. So tying these three verses with what we read of how she speaks in verse 26, I think it is safe to conclude that she speaks kindly to and kindly about her husband. She's not a constant nag. She's not a whiner. She's not a complainer. She's not one who speaks as the other foolish women speak. She is not discouraging her husband. She is seeking to encourage her husband. She tells her husband that she loves him. She tells her husband that she appreciates him, even among his failures. Are you listening? This woman's first ministry is her husband, the man that God has brought into her life. And let me repeat, her first ministry is not herself. Her first ministry is not the church. Her first ministry is not the women's fellowship group. Her first ministry is her husband. She wants to be what God has created her to be, an encouraging, supportive, submissive helpmeet. Remember Genesis chapter two? She is in submission to his leadership. She is not trying to reign or rule over his leadership. The Bible says, verse 23, that it is the husband who is known in the community among men, not her. This virtuous woman is a faithful, devoted, loving, supportive, respectful wife. That's number one. Notice also that the text tells us that she is a hardworking homemaker and mother. While her husband is her first ministry, her children and caring for those under her care in her home are her second ministry. She works hard from early morning to late night providing for her family. Her work revolves around her home, her husband, her children, and she does not neglect that home. Verse 21, she is not afraid of the snow for her household. For all her household are clothed with scarlet. Verse 27, she looketh well to the ways of her household. not her career, not outside the home, she does not eat the bread of idleness. Verse 28, her children in her home arise up and call her blessed, her husband who is with her, who she knows, who she sees, who she is around also, and he praiseth her. In other words, this woman does not sneer at being a mom. She doesn't consider being pregnant as a curse from the devil, but a blessing from God. Are you seeing it through the eyes of feminism yet? She doesn't view taking care of children as a roadblock to her success in the corporate world, but as a heavenly reward, Psalm 127, from the Father. This woman doesn't hire some stranger to watch her children while she can go work for somebody else, all the while she digs herself into debt. She's at home, she's taking care of the kids, she's working side jobs to help provide for the home. She doesn't have time to waste on social media. She doesn't have time to waste with being all the girls she has work to do. What is her work? She's working hard to train soldiers for the army of faith. That's an important work. Psalm 127, children are as arrows in the hands of a mighty man. And arrows are meant to be shot out into the world to make an impact for Christ. Arrows are dangerous. Read the testimonies of Spurgeon and Wesley and you will see it was their mother above all people who influenced them for Christ more than anybody else. Read the accounts of the kings and the chronicles and see the influences of moms, of women, and their piety. Soldiers are trained in the army of faith. This woman is a hardworking homemaker and mother. Notice fourth, that she is a woman who is prudent and kind with her words, verse 26. She openeth her mouth with wisdom, meaning she thinks before she speaks. She chooses her words carefully. Her speech is guided by grace. Her conversations are focused on things that matter rather than things that are worldly and frivolous. And in her tongue, verse 26, is the law of kindness. The tone of her voice is sweet. The words that she speaks are respectful. She is not a woman who expresses things in a harsh, constantly sarcastic, cutting, rude, and overpowering way, but in a calm, compassionate, controlled way. This is a woman who is prudent and kind in her words, and it only makes sense if she is fearing the Lord in her heart. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. And then fifth, we find that she is a charitable person to others. Notice verse 20. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor, rather than doing this, all mine, greedy, fist closed. She stretcheth out her hands to the poor, yet she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. Translation, she looks around her and takes notice of what way she can be a blessing to those who God puts across her path. Again, her focus is not on herself. It's not on what she deserves. It's not on her entertainments. It's not on how big she can build her bank account, how many shoes she can have in her closet, how many exotic places she can go on vacation. Her energy is being given to the poor and needy among her. Sounds like Christ. This woman is anything but a selfish woman. This woman is a selfless person. She is a charitable person to others in her home first, and then those outside of her home. And then notice six, carefully notice, she is a modestly dressed person, verse 22. The Bible says she maketh herself coverings of tapestry. She's seeking to make her home presentable to others. She has coverings for her guests to sit on. She's desiring that the extra beds in the home are prepared for those who can stay. She doesn't want her home to be messy, meaning that she is working hard to show herself hospitable, you know, mi casa su casa. My house is your house. This is just a resource that I have to serve Christ through. This is not my kingdom. This is a tool to be used to the glory of God. Verse 22. Verse 22 also tells us that her clothing is silk and purple. And the meaning of this is that she is well-dressed. She wants to present herself in a way that is honorable and respectful. Her clothing choices are feminine. It's something that is suitable for a queen. That's what the text actually means. And the text is teaching us, listen, that she takes care of herself. She's not sloppy. She doesn't wear pajamas to Walmart. She's not wearing spandex and a tank top to Stater Brothers. She's not posting pictures of herself in a bikini for all the world to see on Facebook. She's not blurring the lines of gender distinction. She's not shopping in the boys department. And actually, verse 21 tells us that she is doing her best to make sure that her entire household are properly clothed as the various occasions of life come their way. Here's a proof text, parents, that tells you that you have the authority over the clothes your children wear. Oh, but I just let them choose whatever they wanna wear. Well, you better fix that. You're the parent. A parent is to parent. The virtuous woman is a modestly dressed person, not drawing attention to her body. Trying to draw attention to the Lord and His goodness. Then turning to the seventh characteristic, we find that she is an industrious woman. Among juggling, she's a juggler. Among juggling to take care of the husband or children, doing her best to care for the needs of the home, among striving to take care of the poor, we find that she's industrious. She's always planning, she's spinning, she's cooking, she's planting, she's sewing, she's providing for her family. She is just a plain hard worker. She's the busy aunt, Proverbs chapter six. She doesn't have a lazy bone in her body. Young fathers, young mothers, listen up. There's nothing in the text that suggests that this virtuous woman throws all the responsibility of taking care of the home on the man. There's nothing that suggests that the husband, who is working hard outside of the home to provide financially, is expected to come home, and when he comes home, he needs to take out the trash, change the diapers, mop the floors, give the kids a bath, cook dinner, clean up the dishes, while the wife stares at her phone. Uh-oh, I've hit a sore spot. I'm not saying that men cannot help with various tasks. In fact, I would encourage them to help. But I am saying that sometimes there are false expectations put on a man through the poison of feminism. Sometimes when a woman is pressured to go to college, pursue a career, to work to pay off her debt, that women don't have time to take care of their home. And they're creating unnecessary friction. She's so busy working to pay off the debt. Sometimes she doesn't want to get married. She doesn't want to have children. She doesn't have energy to cook. She doesn't have a desire to have people over for fellowship, a desire to feed the poor. She doesn't have time to be a blessing to others. You see how the church of Jesus Christ can be affected by this. But not so with the woman in Proverbs 31. This woman is industrious. She is an early riser, she is a night owl, giving herself to serve others. And I'm submitting to you, this is true biblical feminism. True biblical feminism characterizes women as being faithful, trustworthy, resourceful, hardworking, charitable, organized, presentable, well-dressed, wise, kind-spoken, submissive, and God-fearing. And don't miss the best part. What does God say about this woman's worth? Don't miss this now. The world will tell you that feminism, the world will tell you that this picture of biblical feminism is a picture that is detestable. That this woman is a slave to the system. This woman is mistreated, miserable, and joyless. But God says that such a woman's worth is far above Ruby's. This woman's worth is far greater, listen, far greater than all the riches of the world. She is worth more to her husband, to her children, to her family, to those around her than a 401k plan. I mean, her spiritual bank account is full and overflowing. She has great riches in heaven. And not only is she a woman to be praised and valued, she is praised and valued. Others know this woman and praise her. She's precious. Others know she's making a great difference in the work of the Lord. Now, it may not be recognized now, but in time, mark it down, the fruit of her labor will shine brightly. And one day she will stand before the Lord and the Lord will look at her face to face and say, well done, thou good and faithful servant. These are the characteristics of the Proverbs 31 woman. These are the spiritual quality God values in biological females. Now, turn over with me to 1 Peter 3. 1 Peter 3. From 1 Peter 3, I want to briefly show you what God, through the apostle Peter, expects of women during the time he ministered. Lest you think that Proverbs 31 is Old Testament, Old Covenant, Proverbs 31 is allegory, it's only a tale of an imaginary woman, lest you say, well, you know, Pastor, if I was married to a nice, respectable, hardworking man who treats me nice and is easy to get along with like the Proverbs 31 woman had, I would happily live like she lived. But you don't understand, times have changed. I don't have such a husband. In fact, my husband doesn't even know the Lord. If that's you, 1 Peter 3 is exhorting women who are married to unsaved husbands. Don't you just love how the Bible just attacks every objection? Don't you just love how it touches every circumstance? It meets us right where we are. 1 Peter 3, verse 1, likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands. Likewise, likewise what? Well, remember, the chapter divisions weren't there in the original letters. He just finished talking about submission to rulers. Likewise, as you submit to rulers, you wives are to be in subjection to your own husbands, that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation or the conduct of the wives, while they may behold your taste, conversation coupled with fear, whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or putting on of apparel, but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner, in the old time, the holy women, also who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands. Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord, whose daughters he are, as long as he do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Now, I don't have time to dig deep into detail about every attribute of this woman, but most of them are just an echoing of the Proverbs 31 woman. In these six verses, Peter is exhorting women to be submissive to their husbands, to be respectful to their husbands, to fight against, remember, that curse of Eve, trying to overpower. And then he reminds these women who are married to faithless men to remember that true beauty is who you are before God, not something you dress yourself up to be to others. He also reminds these women that one of the characteristics of true spiritual beauty is a gentle and quiet spirit, as opposed to a loud, stubborn, demanding, complaining, griping, murmuring, threatening, preaching, huffing and puffing, taking him by the nose spirit. And the example Peter gives of a woman who is virtuous, a woman who is to be followed in these things is Sarah. Not that Abraham was a lost man, but in respect of Sarah's submission to Abraham, she is to be cherished and followed. Why? Because Sarah trusted in God, and in her trust in God, she submitted to her husband. Sarah trusted in God, she had great faith in God, and her faith was shown in her respect to Abraham's headship over her. Now come on, help me out here, let's think about this. Let's back up, Genesis chapter 12, you remember? God tells Abraham to leave Ur of Chaldees and go. Let's put it in modern day context. Abraham, I want you to go to the U-Haul shop, and tell them that you need a big U-Haul truck. And when they ask for your destination, say, I don't know. And hope they give you the truck. God calls Abraham to leave Ur of Chaldees, the land that they were familiar with, to a place that God will show them. Now what woman would be on board with that? Help me out. Come on, I know you women. You're planning. You've got to know details. What do I pack? What clothes do we need? What food do we need to take? What kind of lunches? What are the stops? How many hours in the car? What's our five-year plan, Abraham? Sarah didn't have any of that. I don't know. What do you mean you don't know? Go to the Lord and ask. Well, he hasn't told me. Well, I need to know. Well, I don't know. But Abraham was leading Sarah. Sarah was following Abraham as they were both following the Lord. Both of them were walking by faith. Huh? Men? Half the time we don't know what we're doing. And we're walking by faith and then we hope that our wife will join us in walking by faith. This is true biblical feminism. True biblical feminism is faithful, respectful, meek, gracious, submissive, loving, and full of faith in God. Do you not think that God is sovereign? Do you not think that God can deal with your husband and lead him as you need? Is your God small? Come on. Some of you women, I know you just pray to God and you just say, Lord, you're gonna have to take care of this man. And that's the right response. And God will grow you in it, God will teach you things through it. Now having looked at the characteristics of the Proverbs 31 woman and the 1 Peter 3 women, turn over to Titus chapter two as we look at the Titus two women. Again, another virtuous, beautiful illustration of the biblical woman. Titus chapter 2. Now don't forget the context. The apostle Paul, a gospel minister, is exhorting Titus, another gospel minister, how he ought to shepherd Christ's church. Paul is giving Titus practical wisdom regarding how he should go about shepherding families and teaching them the truths of God's word. And Paul, a man, tells Timothy, a man, Titus 2, verse 1, but speak thou the things which become sound doctrine, that the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, and charity in patience. Again, first focus is on the men. They're the heads of the home. They are to lead. They are to be the godly examples. And then, following that, the aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becoming holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things, that they may teach the young women, catch it, to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Isn't it interesting that the Bible is unified in its truth? Different man writing, different culture from the times of Proverbs, wouldn't you say? Different people that are being ministered to from Peter's congregation, but the same exact truths. Nothing has changed from God's perspective. Paul exhorts Titus to teach women to be godly, to be holy, to be reverent in their behavior, to be careful, to be gracious, to be kind in their speech, to be discreet, to be chaste. Paul exhorts Titus to teach other women not to be given too much wine. In other words, not to be given over to the party life, drinking and carousing with other women. Paul exhorts Titus to teach other women to be teachers of good things rather than frivolous things. and to focus on loving their husbands, loving their children, to be keepers at home, obedient to their husbands, so that the word of God be not blasphemed. The older women are to teach and show by example how to be a Proverbs 31 woman so that God's word is not made a mockery of by the lost world. You say, how does God's word become blasphemed by how a woman lives? Well, great question, I'll answer it for you. When Christian women act contrary to what God expects of them, the world stand backs and says, you say you believe the Bible, but your life doesn't show it. You say that you treasure marriage, but your life doesn't show it. You say that children are a blessing, then you act like they're a burden. You say that being a mother is better than seeking after a career, all the while you're seeking after a career. You say that women should dress modestly and be feminine. You say that women should not blur the gender distinction line, all the while your social media is full of semi-nude photographs of yourself. You say women should respect their husband, but you treat your husband like trash. So the world says, why would I want anything to do with your God, your faith, and your Bible? All you guys are a bunch of hypocrites. I fear the final statement of verse 5 is where we are today in regards to true womanhood. Christians say all the right things, but we show, many times, something completely contrary to God's Word. We say we are Bible believers, and then we question God's Word, we overlook God's Word, we twist its meaning, we justify our sin, and our sinful sloppiness. And meanwhile, the world watches on and says, those Christians are no different than we are. They act like the world does, they talk like the world does, they dress like the world does. Look at that church over there. The women are overpowering and running the churches, all while the men stand back and let it all happen. So if men and women act contrary to God's word in these areas of life, I wonder what other doctrines and practices they are questioning, overlooking, twisting, and justifying. This is exactly where Satan wants the Christian church. Satan wants God's Word to be blasphemed, not by our lips, but by our life. Oh, we would not dare to blaspheme God with our lips, but I fear sometimes we blaspheme God through disobeying His Word, by looking down upon these wonderful truths, by even questioning the pastor as he's showing you from the Word what is true and right. Now I've shown you from Scripture in both the Old and New Testament what God values and honors in women and wives and mothers. The portrait of the Proverbs 31 woman, the 1 Peter 3 women, the Titus 2 women are women who please the Lord. They are women who are striving to live biblical in an anti-biblical culture. They are women who are truly feminine. These women are beautiful inside and out. These are women who are adored, women who are strong, women who are valuable, women who are to be praised, women who are making an impact for Christ and His kingdom. And all these women stand contrary to the ungodly women of this world. Look over real quick to Proverbs chapter 7 and then we will be done. So we've looked at the godly, honorable, virtuous women. Now I want you to see a portrait of the worldly woman. Do you want to know how God describes worldly women? The women who does not Fear God, the woman who is foolish, the woman who is a modern day feminist in 2024. I'll give you a hint, just take the opposites of what we have seen in Proverbs 31, 1 Peter 3, and Titus 2. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 7, verse 10, that the women of the world are wandering the streets at night. Or should I say, wandering the internet at night. The women of the world have the attire of an harlot, and they are subtle in heart. God says, verse 11, that such women are, notice it, loud and stubborn, rather than, 1 Peter 3, meek and quiet. And they're looking for satisfaction where? In the home? No, outside of the home. And if you will read the description of such women, you will find that this ungodly woman is a woman who is unfaithful to her husband. She's seductive. She's foolish. She's careless about the consequences of sin. She's careless about her family and her home. Her pathway is actually the pathway to hell. Simply put, her feet are being directed by Satan rather than God. And then over in Proverbs 9, verse 13, Solomon continues by describing such worldly women as clamorous, that is noisy, simple, that is stupid, and unintelligent. Proverbs 21 presents the worldly woman as one who is contentious and angry, sounding like the women's marches. And then back to Proverbs 14, we read that wise women are those who build up their home and foolish women are those who seek to pluck it down. Wise women seek to maintain and improve their family and home. Foolish women, by their idleness, carelessness, pleasure-seeking, and questioning of God's word, tear down the greatest place of influence for Christ in the world, which is her home. How does the biblical woman compare with the worldly woman? They're polar opposites. They are exactly opposite one from another. And again, I tell you that true biblical womanhood, true biblical femininity, true biblical motherhood is beautiful, it's honorable, it's praiseworthy, it's glorifying to God. You think the Bible speaks of women being oppressed? Think again. I've just showed you that women have the power, they have the power to make this world a better place or to make this world a worse place. Women, listen, you have the opportunity to make a marvelous impact for Christ. Don't let the modern feministic movement sell you their lies. Women, embrace who God has made you to be. Embrace biblical femininity. Embrace true womanhood. So you've never been taught these truths before. These are new. Your life has been different from what you read in Scripture. So let it be. God knows, right? But that doesn't mean we shouldn't teach the truths of Scripture to the younger generation. I know, I'm here, I'm hearing your heart. Pastor, I didn't get saved till I was older in life. I didn't have these things taught to me. So what am I supposed to do? Titus 2, older women teach younger women. I messed up, but you can do right. Right? We can conform our ways to the word of God. We can reform. We can set a new direction for those who follow in our footsteps. So fathers, expect your girls to be girls and your boys to be boys. Parents, pray that your children will come to value what God values. Young men, daydreaming about finding a wife one day? Cinderella? Oh no, we preached against Disney. You better hold on to the characteristics of a godly woman here. You better make sure that you hold Proverbs 31, 1 Peter 3, Titus 2 up to any woman who comes by and flatters you. Come on, young men. Otherwise, you may end up marrying a Cruella. Young women, being fed the lies that you don't need a man, marriage is dumb, children are annoying, and you can be just as feminine by wearing baggy sweatpants to Walmart, wake up. Smell the spiritual odors of biblical reality. If you follow the feministic way, you will have regrets. And it's possible that one day you might die alone in a nursing home with no one to visit because you've been angry and bitter toward men your whole life. But the choice is yours. So I'm encouraging you to choose God's ways over the world's ways. Don't be conformed to this world. but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.