Ever wonder what that word means? There’s a lot of talk out there regarding the desperate need for it in our present culture. Can you give me a pragmatic definition for biblical virtue? How would we go about building virtue into our princes and princesses? And, by the way…
Are you a virtuous woman? Proverbs 31
We have been given everything we need to live a godly life. There are no excuses for not living a life of moral excellence. “For this very reason, we are to make every effort to add to our faith, moral excellence; and to moral excellence, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
For IF you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” II Pet. 1: 3-9
There are 30-31 days in a month; just enough time to read a Proverb a day (written by the wisest man who has ever lived!) and finish the book each month. If you prayed the 31 virtues (that I am about to share with you) along with the Proverb of the day, into the life of your child…just one each day…you would be well on your way to seeing God’s will placed into the heart of your child and a clearer understanding of your own position and calling as a parent. Part of virtue is learning to build personal moral standards into your life, which will cause others to desire a more godly life.
Let’s take a look at a few…
1. Salvation. “Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” (Isa. 45:8; 2 Tim. 2:10)
2. Growth in grace. “I pray that my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. (2 Pet. 3:18)
3. Love. “Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who dwells in them.” (Gal. 5:25; Eph. 5: 2)
4. Honesty and Integrity. “May integrity and honesty be their virtue and protection”. (Ps. 25: 21)
5. Self-Control. “Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be alert and self-controlled in all they do.” (I Thess. 5: 6)
6. Love for God’s Word. “May my children grow to find Your Word more precious than much more pure gold and sweeter than honey from the comb.” (Ps. 19: 10)
7. Justice. “God, help my children to love justice as You do and act justly in all they do.” (Psa. 11:7, Mic. 6:8)
8. Mercy. “May my children always be merciful, just as their Father is merciful”(Lk. 6: 36)
9. Respect (for self, others, authority). “Father, grant that my children may show proper respect to everyone, as your Word commands.” (I Pet. 2: 17)
10. Biblical self-esteem. “Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2: 10)
11. Faithfulness. “Let love and faithfulness never leave my children, but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts.” (Prov. 3: 3)
12. Courage. “May my children always be strong and courageous in their character and in their actions.” (Dt. 31: 6)
13. Purity. “Create in them a pure heart, O God, and let that purity of heart be shown in their actions. (Psa. 51: 10)
14. Kindness. “Lord, may my children always be kind to each other and to everyone else.” (I Thess. 5: 15
15. Generosity. “Grant that my children may be generous and willing to share, and so lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age.” (I Tim. 6: 18-19)
“There is but one virtue…the eternal sacrifice of self.” Henry George
All the virtuous character qualities in the world can be summed up in the truth of that one statement…dedicated deference living for the benefit of others. It would make us all declarers of truth, servants, teachers, exhorters, givers and bearers of one another’s burdens. The body of Christ would function. The home would be filled with God.
Our children would rise up and call us blessed. Harmony would rule!
Who doesn’t want that?
Please look for the remaining 15 Virtues next Monday…I’ll see you then.
~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America. Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California. My passion is discipling and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.
