Worthy of Respect

We all know those few girls that we label as "flirts"--the ones who walk into a room and immediately identify their "target" by calling loudly to him, playfully hitting him, playing with his hair, squeezing onto the couch next to him--you can fill in the blanks here, I am sure you have seen this happen before.

Here's some food for thought:  If you watched a recording of your actions during any given day, would you call yourself a flirt?  I would guess that probably each and every one of us has had our moments like this, and we usually look back on them with embarrassment and hope that no one noticed our actions.

Here's a question for you:  Why is it that so many Christian girls go around flirting with the guys in their youth groups (schools, churches, etc.) and then practically in the same breath tell all their girlfriends that they are looking for a guy who will "respect me?"  Doesn't it seem a little strange to you that when you compare the actions with the words of these girls, they don't match up?

What does the Bible have to say about being worthy of respect?

1 Timothy 3:11 says, "...Women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything."

Uh oh...  You mean that we don't just get to sit around and day dream about having husbands some day who will respect us?  Wait a second, you mean I actually have to do something?!  The Bible is pretty clear that we are to be "worthy of respect."  I guess we might have to do a little work this time...

How does one become worthy of respect?

Let's go back to that girl we labeled a "flirt."  Do you think she is worthy of respect?

1 Timothy says that we are not to be "malicious talkers."  In today's English, that means don't gossip!  Be a trustworthy person.  Just because you hear something interesting about someone else doesn't mean you have to repeat it.  As women it is especially tempting to want to stay updated on every detail of everyone else's personal lives, but sometimes it is okay to be content and know that it isn't necessary to have all of that information.  (There will be a post about the sin of gossip coming out later this month...)

The passage above talks about a woman worthy of respect being "trustworthy."  If someone is trustworthy, you know that you can tell them your deepest, darkest secrets and they won't think any less of you.  A trustworthy woman can keep a secret.

What kind of secrets does a trustworthy woman keep?

A trustworthy woman keeps secrets about herself.  She doesn't flaunt her body to those around her by wearing immodest clothing.  She doesn't allow everyone to know her deepest longings and desires.  There is a mystery about the trustworthy woman because she guards the deepest and most intimate parts of her.

A foolproof formula?

Please be warned that the advice shared above on being a woman worthy of respect is not a foolproof formula for getting a husband (boyfriend, etc.) who will respect you.  On the contrary, it is a challenge to you to take these steps to becoming a woman who is worthy of respect.  Are you willing to accept the challenge?