Proverbs 31 as a professional woman - Part 3
Embodying and manifesting godly wisdom in the workplace
So far, we have unpacked how Proverbs 31 as a professional woman embodies and manifests Godly wisdom in the workplace (Proverbs 3:5-7, James 1:5).
Last week, we discussed two of her 20 success principles in the workplace. Principle one is that she is a 'God-loving and God-fearing woman' (Mark 12:30, Proverbs 31:30) and principle two is that she has a 'healthy self-love' (Mark 12:31). I urge you to Google last week’s article for more context.
This week I’ll be unpacking her third success principle, which involves showing love to other people.
Mark 12:31 says “love your neighbour as yourself” – and when you read Proverbs 31:10-31, you get the feeling that love underpins all of her interactions, conversations and relationships – starting with love for God, herself, her husband, children, family, society, etc.
Now, you’re probably asking: How does Proverbs 31 as a professional manage to show love for co-workers or other people in the midst of jealousy, destruction, provocation, envy, backstabbing and mistreatment?
Wisdom reminds her that this type of behaviour reveals that the above person is acting in the flesh and is controlled by their sinful nature (Galatians 5:19- 21, 1 Corinthians 3:3) and that her response should be to display the fruit of the Spirit which is ‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control’ (Galatians 5:22-23).
Although she does feel the impact of any negative actions aimed at her, she understands that she must: crucify her fleshly desire to respond in the same manner (Galatians 5:24-26), forgive their behaviour because Christ forgave her too (Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13), warn others about their bad behaviour; and that they must not abuse their Christ-given freedom as an excuse to abuse others (Hebrews 3:13, Galatians 5:13).
She knows there are people who are genuinely loving (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) and full of goodness (Romans 15:14). She seeks to live in harmony with others (Romans 12:16) and to encourage others to show love and to do good (Hebrews 10:24, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
You might still be wondering, but what if she does all of this and nothing changes?
Wisdom reminds her that her battle is “not against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:10-18) and that Mark 12:31 doesn’t ask her to over-love others or to beg, plead, negotiate or threaten her way into making someone else see how loving she is.
Discernment teaches her that there are certain people who will love her without a doubt, others who will only love her to a certain point, those who will never love her – for no apparent reason – and then the class of people who are determined to destroy her (because of the evil that is controlling them).
She’s able to discern who each person is and to know that their attitude towards her will not change her into an unloving person; in fact, she will forgive them, surrender them to God and love them from a peaceful distance.
How does she do that?
She remembers Lord Jesus’s words: “I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16).
Meaning that He knew the world was going to be hostile to children of God and that the Proverbs 31 woman must be able to advance the Kingdom of God in a manner that combines wisdom (to avoid the snares of the enemy) and innocence (to remain blameless and peaceful).
DISCLAIMER: 'Proverbs 31 as a Professional Woman' under the theme 'Embodying and Manifesting Godly Wisdom, Success Principles and Effortless Femininity in the Workplace' is not posited on trying to read the professional woman into Proverbs 31 because this will produce an absurd result. However, I have opted to take a principles-based approach that widens the scope to be applicable to any professional woman, regardless of her age or status.
*For more context about who I am and why I’m writing this column, I encourage you to search online for my previous articles titled 'A New Season', 'Seeing God’s Glory Through My Tears', as well as “Proverbs 31 as a Professional Woman” (parts 1 and 2), all published by the Namibian Sun newspaper. I welcome your comments, inputs, queries or concerns. Kindly address them to [email protected]
Last week, we discussed two of her 20 success principles in the workplace. Principle one is that she is a 'God-loving and God-fearing woman' (Mark 12:30, Proverbs 31:30) and principle two is that she has a 'healthy self-love' (Mark 12:31). I urge you to Google last week’s article for more context.
This week I’ll be unpacking her third success principle, which involves showing love to other people.
Mark 12:31 says “love your neighbour as yourself” – and when you read Proverbs 31:10-31, you get the feeling that love underpins all of her interactions, conversations and relationships – starting with love for God, herself, her husband, children, family, society, etc.
Now, you’re probably asking: How does Proverbs 31 as a professional manage to show love for co-workers or other people in the midst of jealousy, destruction, provocation, envy, backstabbing and mistreatment?
Wisdom reminds her that this type of behaviour reveals that the above person is acting in the flesh and is controlled by their sinful nature (Galatians 5:19- 21, 1 Corinthians 3:3) and that her response should be to display the fruit of the Spirit which is ‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control’ (Galatians 5:22-23).
Although she does feel the impact of any negative actions aimed at her, she understands that she must: crucify her fleshly desire to respond in the same manner (Galatians 5:24-26), forgive their behaviour because Christ forgave her too (Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13), warn others about their bad behaviour; and that they must not abuse their Christ-given freedom as an excuse to abuse others (Hebrews 3:13, Galatians 5:13).
She knows there are people who are genuinely loving (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) and full of goodness (Romans 15:14). She seeks to live in harmony with others (Romans 12:16) and to encourage others to show love and to do good (Hebrews 10:24, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
You might still be wondering, but what if she does all of this and nothing changes?
Wisdom reminds her that her battle is “not against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:10-18) and that Mark 12:31 doesn’t ask her to over-love others or to beg, plead, negotiate or threaten her way into making someone else see how loving she is.
Discernment teaches her that there are certain people who will love her without a doubt, others who will only love her to a certain point, those who will never love her – for no apparent reason – and then the class of people who are determined to destroy her (because of the evil that is controlling them).
She’s able to discern who each person is and to know that their attitude towards her will not change her into an unloving person; in fact, she will forgive them, surrender them to God and love them from a peaceful distance.
How does she do that?
She remembers Lord Jesus’s words: “I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16).
Meaning that He knew the world was going to be hostile to children of God and that the Proverbs 31 woman must be able to advance the Kingdom of God in a manner that combines wisdom (to avoid the snares of the enemy) and innocence (to remain blameless and peaceful).
DISCLAIMER: 'Proverbs 31 as a Professional Woman' under the theme 'Embodying and Manifesting Godly Wisdom, Success Principles and Effortless Femininity in the Workplace' is not posited on trying to read the professional woman into Proverbs 31 because this will produce an absurd result. However, I have opted to take a principles-based approach that widens the scope to be applicable to any professional woman, regardless of her age or status.
*For more context about who I am and why I’m writing this column, I encourage you to search online for my previous articles titled 'A New Season', 'Seeing God’s Glory Through My Tears', as well as “Proverbs 31 as a Professional Woman” (parts 1 and 2), all published by the Namibian Sun newspaper. I welcome your comments, inputs, queries or concerns. Kindly address them to [email protected]
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