What is a woman of God? How can I be one?

from the old testament

• Proverbs 14:1 uses the metaphor of a builder to present the wise woman as one who builds up rather than tears down. This can apply to people and circumstances and illustrates the difference between, for instance, a woman who encourages versus one who gossips.
• Proverbs 31:10-31 describes the admirable traits of a godly woman as one who is a good wife and mother, is wise, handles money well, is generous, works hard, and most of all, fears God. Verse 30 contrasts those traits with the superficiality of charm and beauty.
• The title figure of the book of Ruth exemplifies a woman of God. Ruth showed loyalty and love to her mother-in-law, worked hard to provide for them both, and sought out Boaz, a man of character, rather than following silly, romantic notions.

from the new testament

• Godly wives accept and live faithfully to God in the roles and responsibilities that God has given them (Ephesians 5:22-24).
• Titus 2:3-4 indicates that older women should serve as role models of godly behavior for younger women.
• First Peter 3:1-6 depicts a godly wife as a modest woman who submits to her husband and doesn’t fall prey to vanity.

implications for today

In the early 1970s, Helen Reddy sang, “I am woman hear me roar,” lyrics that became the theme of the modern feminist movement. Contemporary feminism often presents “strength” as radical independence and aggressively rejects traditional femininity. Fathers are dispensable. Male and female roles are arbitrary. “Submission” is weak. “Loving yourself” is paramount. Believers recognize that the culture’s ideal woman doesn’t match up with God’s. That “roar[ing]” woman in Reddy’s song seems at odds with the “gentle and quiet spirit” the apostle Peter described as the model for womanly behavior (1 Peter 3:4).

Being a woman of God means choosing faithfulness to Christ over the loud voices of culture that call you to chase independence, vanity, or self-glory. It means asking God to shape your heart, words, and actions according to His design—whether you're managing a home, serving at work, mentoring others, or simply showing kindness in everyday moments. You reflect Christ not by asserting control but by trusting His order and finding strength in surrender. When you build others up, practice humility, and pursue wisdom over charm, you live out the power of godliness. Becoming a woman of God is about staying rooted in God’s Word, living by His Spirit rather than your flesh, and depending on Him to make you more like Christ each day, seeking to be a blessing to those around you by the unique ways He has made you as a woman.

Whether married or single, a woman of God surrenders her life and lives for the Lord. Godly single women live to honor God with single-minded time, energy, and effort. Godly wives honor God in all they do, including being a wife. They humbly submit to their husbands because they understand that although “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11), He is a God of order (1 Corinthians 14:33) and has given different roles to men and women. Godly mothers seek to honor God by raising and disciplining kids in the way of the Lord.

Rather than resent a woman’s role, a woman of God will trust in the Lord, seek to honor Him in all roles and seasons of life, and realize that His way is always the best way (Proverbs 3:5-6). She may be overlooked by the world, but the quiet faithfulness of a woman of God is precious in God’s sight and powerful in His kingdom. In every task, relationship, and trial, she reflects His glory—not by being loud or self-made, but by being deeply rooted in Christ. Her life becomes a testimony not to her own greatness, but to the greatness of the God she serves. And that is what makes her truly a woman of God.