As Godly women, we live in a secular world that is impacted by society, pop
culture, government, politics, etc. Many of these influences are not consistent
with what we believe and who we are in God. Although we currently reside in
this culture, we can still live as women of principle and prevail over the
challenges we face in our secular society.
A principle is simply an important value that is paramount in guiding
your thinking to a place of prevailing. It is something you stand on and
believe in and causes you to transcend failure and be victorious in areas of
your life. You may be saying to yourself, “Well, in my culture, or the way I
was brought up, we didn’t practice principles that encouraged solution-based
thinking. It was more about
dysfunction, negativity, and hopelessness than being guided by a positive
principle or thought.” Well, let me tell you this—no matter what the secular
culture dictates, we can have solution-based thinking guided by healthy principles.
We don’t have to be victims of our circumstances or have anger and
bitterness alive in us. We don’t have to have unhealthy thinking, low self-esteem,
and fear inside of us. We can invest in seeking God for wisdom and guidance. Jesus
Christ came to save us (St. John 3:16)
as well as to influence our lives, causing us to be civilized in our thinking
and conduct, through the guiding principles of His Word.
We can break through the barriers of unproductive societal thinking. The
bible says in Proverbs 23:7, For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to
thee; but his heart is not with thee. Our conduct and way of living can be
pleasing in the sight of God. We can have goals, dreams, and aspirations that
reflect the very image of God, through our
lifestyles and principles.
One of the most important principles I have valued is found
in Proverbs 9:10, which declares, The
fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the
holy is understanding. Understanding who
God is in our lives and knowing what he wants for our lives is very important.
Our principles come from an influence. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the
most essential person upon whom to base and form our principles, (Proverbs 3:5-7).
We don’t have to base our thought patterns on a secular
culture. We can stand on what we believe according to our convictions and live
a holy lifestyle. We can be well-poised
women—not by know-how but by grace, purity and sanctification. As women of principle,
we can reflect the very image of Jesus Christ and be an example on our jobs, to
our children, and to those who share our environment. The character of Jesus Christ can exude from us when we live
under the principles by which we are highly esteemed in the sight of God.
