Why is it that women who party late at night and are arrested for driving under the influence get their glamorous mugs plastered on the cover of magazines? Why is it that women who strip for the camera and cuss like sailors get prestigious acting awards? Why is that women who divorce their husbands and move in with their boyfriends are models of liberation? Why is that women who parade around in tight pants, short shorts, mini-skirts and seductive swimwear get all the attention? Why is it that people rarely blush when they see such displays?

Here is the bigger question: Why is it that women who get up early and pack the lunches, drive the carpool, clean the house, pay the bills, feed the dogs, buy the groceries, teach the Bible classes, wipe dirty faces, wash the clothes, iron the clothes, do the dishes, vacuum the floors, fix daily dinners for their family and others rarely get praised or even noticed?

Think about it. What would happen if we valued godly ladies like society adores the immodest and immoral women? What would happen if we publicly celebrated a faithful wife more than a lascivious starlet? What would happen if character was treasured more than money or fame? What if daughters were taught to respect their bodies and ponder their influence upon others? What if we actually preached separation from the world by presenting our bodies as “living sacrifices” to God (Rom. 12:1-2)?

I believe this praise would transform our culture, enhance our marriages, radically improve our families, and produce stronger and faithful children. More importantly it would honor our Creator. “He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Pet 1:15-16).

God is only pleased when women adorn themselves with virtue. He says their value is greater than rubies (Pro 31:10). He wants women to be models of the inner beauty of the heart (1 Pet. 3:2-4). God is also very pleased when those who see her goodness honor her for who and what she is. Her children should “rise up and call her blessed” and her husband should be praising her when she respects the instruction of her Lord (Pro 31:28).

Let’s thank God for the virtuous women in our lives. And let’s teach our daughters that “charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised” (Pro 31:30). Let’s also keep in mind that God judges wicked men and women who no longer blush at immorality and immodest attire (Jer. 8:12; Pro 7:10).

Remember, we are redeemed by the precious sacrifice of Jesus (1 Pet 1:18-19). When we are baptized into Christ we put on Christ (Gal 3:26-27). He wants to clothe us with His holiness by giving us white robes that have been washed in His blood (Rev 7:13-14).