WELCOME

Do Not Imitate Wives Who Set Poor Examples

By Joan Miller

"Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God." (3 John 11)

An example is a pattern shown, i.e. a visible model or standard. In 3 John, Demetrius is praised for his good example of persistence in showing fellowship and hospitality, by helping visitors who were evangelists passing through. He welcomed them and saw that they were sent on their way with provisions, to prevent having to take anything from the Gentiles as they spread the gospel. The man whose wretched example resulted in the warning was Diotrephes. He wanted to be seen as preeminent, or above all others, and was engaging in malicious talk against the apostles, refusing to receive them, withholding a welcome to evangelizing brethren and forbidding those who wanted to from helping. If they disobeyed him, Diotrephes put them out of the church. Anyone who has once witnessed a "Diotrephes" in action never forgets the experience. What a motivation for us all to be vigilant about our own daily deportment!

God's desire is for both genders, single or married, to follow good examples. Verse four of chapter 2 in the book of Titus (Titus 2:4) commands older women to admonish the young women to love their husbands and children. Thus, it would seem natural for a Christian bride, wanting to build and maintain a happy marriage, to quickly begin following the examples of her congregation's wives who have been married the longest. Perhaps, however, a bit of caution would be prudent. Rather than assume that all wives in every congregation exhibit a godly influence, though we would love to think so, any bride should take adequate time to observe and compare the examples her sisters in Christ exhibit with what God expects of women in His word. Only when she has determined which examples best meet God's expectations should she begin to imitate those that are praiseworthy. Doing so will be active proof that she indeed does love her husband as God has commanded. While developing a godly wife's character, she also should frequently compare her own behavior to God's criteria so He will continue to view her as a soul who imitates only what is good.

Exercises:

1. Read Ephesians 5:1-21. What are three ways in which we are to walk?

2. List some behaviors in the same chapter that would constitute setting a bad or sinful example for others.

3. What two books of the Bible carry the names of women whose examples God has seen fit to record?

4. List the behaviors God expects from the older women in Titus 2:3-5.

Fill-ins:

5. "I will set nothing ______ before my eyes; I hate the ____ of those who ____ ____; It shall not _____ to me." Ps. 101:3 NKJV

6. "Beloved, do not _______ what is ____, but what is ____." 3 John 11 NKJV

7. "the _____ _____ likewise, that they be ________ in behavior, not __________, not given to much ____, teachers of good things—that they ________ the young women to love their husbands, to love their ________, to be ________, chaste, __________, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the ____ of God may not be __________." Titus 2:3-5 NKJV

8. "Whoever ______ in Him does not sin. Whoever ____ has neither seen Him nor _____ Him." 1 John 3:6 NKJV

9. "If you know that He is _________, you know that everyone who practices _____________ is born of Him." 1 John 2:29 NKJV

10. "Brethren, join in _________ my _______, and note those who so ____, as you have us for a _______. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you ____ _______, that they are the _______ of the cross of Christ: whose end is ___________, whose god is their _____, and whose glory is in their _____—who set their mind on _______ things." Phil. 3:17-19 NKJV

Recommended reading for every wife: Proverbs 31:10-31. God bless each of you as you strive daily to serve Him!