Turning Your Ashes into Beauty... Being a Woman of Knowledge

by Debra Ann Elliott
(Birmingham, AL, USA)

Those who have knowledge use words with restraint, and those who have understanding are even-tempered.
Proverbs 17:27 NIV

Last month I talked about being a woman of faith. Faith without knowledge is useless and knowledge without faith is void.

This month I will discuss how God wants us to become women of knowledge.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.
Philippians 1:9 NIV

God's prayer for us is that our love abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight. When we are knowledgeable in our faith and in our love we are able to grow in insight and communicate our words with restraint.

The beauty of knowledge is we don't judge in harshness. A woman who has the beauty of knowledge is even-tempered in her understanding as God commanded. She uses restraint in her words. She grows in her depth of insight.

It is clear from reading Proverbs 17:27 and Philippians 1:9 what you have to do to become a woman of knowledge.

God has written you specific instructions. You must follow His instructions to gain the beauty of knowledge.

We don't judge: A woman of knowledge does not judge in harshness. After my abortion I was judged with harshness and because of that I found I started judging others the same way. I lacked gentleness and patience. I turned my bitterness into harshness. Do not be a woman of bitterness and harshness. God requires of you a gentle and patience spirit.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 NIV

We are even-tempered: A woman of knowledge is even-tempered in her understanding. You are readied with the fruit of the Spirit. God bestowed upon you love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness and in return He expects a woman of knowledge to do the same for others. Your “job” is to understand with a loving heart, be joyful in your temperament, have a peaceful mind, have patience with others, show kindness in actions, have goodness in your soul, and be faithful in your walk with the Lord.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.
Galatians 5:22 NIV

We use restraint: A woman of knowledge uses restraint in her words. When dealing with a woman who has had an abortion you must be cautious and careful in your words. Words can hurt or heal a woman's soul. God gave you the ability of speech and knowledge, but the way you use that gift is up to you. You have the power to control your actions, impulses,and emotions. You also have the power to control your words. I remember a ditty from childhood;”Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt” that's not true. Words do hurt and your words to the hurting must be considerate. You have to learn to think before you speak. God wants you to be kind. A woman of knowledge is very considerate of other's feelings and shows restraint in her words.

For in him you have been enriched in every way – with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge.
II Corinthians 1:5 NIV

We grow in depth of insight: A woman of knowledge grows in the depth of her insight. When God brought you from your “ashes” into your “beauty” He gave you knowledge of insight. For you to grow in your depth of insight and receive your knowledge you must be aware of one's mental and emotional condition. You have to remember that you once were there and God rescued you from the “fire”. Remember your purpose.

The purposes of the human heart are deep waters, but those who have insight draw them out. Proverbs 20:5 NIV

Over the past months you have learned to be a woman of faith and knowledge. You have also learned you can't have one without the other.

In my next column I will talk to you about becoming a woman of encouragement. Armed with what you have learned about faith and knowledge I will show you God's wonderful plan on rising from your “ashes” and becoming a woman of encouragement.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it.
II Timothy 3:14 NIV

May the Lord bless and keep you in faith and knowledge,
Debra




© 2009 Debra Elliott