The Bible outlines the qualities of a good mother in Proverbs 31, highlighting traits that make a woman truly virtuous: faith, wisdom, selflessness, eternal perspective, strength, dignity, and praise, among others.
As mothers, we often face the world’s standards of what it means to be a “good” woman, which often revolve around outward appearance, social status, and personal success. However, the Bible presents a very different picture of the kind of woman we should aspire to be.
This article explores the 10 key characteristics of a good mother according to Scripture. These qualities remind us that true worth is found not in fleeting cultural ideals, but in a heart that fears and honors the Lord. Allowing God’s Spirit to cultivate these virtues in our lives can help us become the kind of mothers who leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Key Takeaway:
You cannot be godly and not good. In the same way, you cannot be good and not godly. This principle is especially true when it comes to the characteristics of a good mother according to the Bible. A good mother is one who seeks to honor God in her parenting and allow His Spirit to shape her into the woman and mother He desires her to be.
With that foundation in mind, here are 10 key characteristics of a good mother as portrayed in Scripture:
- Fears the Lord (Proverbs 31:30) – A good mother recognizes God’s sovereignty and seeks to live in reverent awe of Him.
- Trusts in God’s Faithfulness (Psalm 112:7) – She rests in God’s promises and relies on His strength, especially when facing challenges as a mother.
- Speaks Words of Wisdom (Proverbs 31:26) – A good mother’s speech is marked by kindness, discretion, and biblical truth that she imparts to her children.
- Cultivates a Joyful Spirit (Proverbs 31:25) – She finds contentment in God and the role He has given her, radiating joy that points her family to Christ.
- Willingly Does the Work Before Her (Proverbs 31:13-19) – A good mother is diligent, hard-working, and fully engaged in caring for her household.
- Keeps a Pure Heart (Psalm 24:4) – She strives for moral purity and integrity, setting an example of godliness for her children.
- Loves Sacrificially (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) – A good mother’s love mirrors God’s love – patient, kind, and always seeking the best for her children.
- Disciplines with Wisdom (Proverbs 13:24) – She lovingly corrects and trains her children according to biblical principles.
- Prays Fervently (1 Samuel 1:27) – A good mother is a woman of prayer who entrusts her children to God’s care and guidance.
- Passes on a Godly Heritage (2 Timothy 1:5) – She intentionally imparts her faith to the next generation, leaving a lasting legacy of devotion to Christ.
In essence, a good mother is one who allows God’s Spirit to cultivate these characteristics in her life. She is a woman of faith, wisdom, and love who seeks to honor God through her role as a mother.
A Mother Who Fears the Lord
“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30)
The Bible paints a compelling picture of a godly woman. She is not defined by the world’s standards of beauty and charm, but by her unwavering faith, wisdom, and selfless service. This woman is described as a rare treasure, “far more precious than jewels” (Proverbs 31:10), because she has allowed the Lord to cultivate lasting virtues in her life.
Instead of pursuing fleeting cultural ideals, she focuses on the eternal. She is clothed with “strength and dignity” (Proverbs 31:25) through her trust in God. Her children and husband praise her (Proverbs 31:28) because of her wholehearted investment in her family.
The woman who fears the Lord is not paralyzed by anxiety about the future but laughs at the days to come (Proverbs 31:25) because she rests in God’s sovereign care. She speaks with wisdom (Proverbs 31:26) and reaches out to help the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:20), showing the fruit of a heart that delights in honoring the Lord.
A Mother Who Trusts in God’s Faithfulness
“The woman who fears the Lord is not paralyzed by anxiety about the future, but laughs at the days to come (Proverbs 31:25) because she rests in God’s sovereign care.”
I find inspiration in the stories of women who showed unwavering trust in the Lord despite facing great challenges and uncertainty. Women like Sarah, Hannah, and Mary show how trusting and fearing God can bring peace, strength, and purpose, regardless of the circumstances. They were all mothers. For example, Sarah was called by God to leave her homeland and follow her husband Abraham to an unknown land.
Despite facing trials like barrenness and the threat of being taken by foreign kings, she eventually received the promised son, Isaac, through God’s miraculous provision. Similarly, Hannah prayed to the Lord, trusting Him to give her a son even though she was childless. When God answered her prayer and she dedicated her son Samuel to serve in the temple, she sang a song of praise, declaring, “My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in the Lord.” (1 Samuel 2:1)
These women’s stories remind me that true security and joy are found in resting in the faithful, sovereign care of our heavenly Father.
She Speaks Words of Wisdom
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” (Proverbs 31:26)
The world presents women with unique challenges when it comes to sharing wisdom. In a society that often prioritizes style over substance, it may be tempting to dilute our message or conform to cultural norms. We may shy away from speaking up, fearing that our words won’t be taken seriously or that we will be dismissed as “unladylike.” As a mother, you should speak up for the rights of your home.
In the face of oppression from the Canaanites, Deborah called upon the military commander Barak and shared these wise words: “Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you?” (Judges 4:6). Her words motivated Barak to take action, and together they led the Israelites to victory.
But Deborah’s influence extended beyond the battlefield. She served as a judge under a palm tree, and the people of Israel sought her counsel (Judges 4:5). When we speak with wisdom, rooted in reverence for the Lord and understanding of His ways, we have the potential to impact lives and shape history.
She Cultivates a Joyful Spirit
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” (Proverbs 31:25)
The model of the kind of joyful and resilient spirit that should characterize the godly mother is often referred to as the “Proverbs 31 woman.” She is not defined by the world’s standards of beauty and charm, but by her unwavering faith, wisdom, and selfless service. Her children and husband rise up and call her blessed (Proverbs 31:28) because she has wholeheartedly invested in her family.
What is the source of this mother’s joy? It comes from her reverent fear of the Lord and her trust in His faithful provision. She is “clothed with strength and dignity” (Proverbs 31:25) – qualities that flow from a heart that delights in honoring God. Her joy is not dependent on her circumstances, but on the unchanging character of the God she serves.
Willingly Does the Work Before Her
“She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.” (Proverbs 31:27)
Now, there are many times when you may feel like “they just want to take advantage of me, and if I’m not careful, I’ll end up doing all the work.” I understand that feeling, believe me. It’s easy to become cynical and start resenting the demands on our time and energy. However, the example of the Proverbs 31 mother challenges us to rise above that mindset.
She willingly does the work before her, not out of a sense of obligation or fear of what others might think, but out of love and reverence for God. Her diligence and industry flow from a heart that delights in serving her family and honoring the Lord with her life.
When we approach our work with that kind of attitude, it changes everything. Suddenly, the mundane tasks become opportunities to bless others and glorify God. The late nights and early mornings take on new meaning when we see them as acts of worship. Of course, that’s easier said than done. It requires a constant renewing of our minds and a deep trust in God’s purposes.
She Keeps a Pure Heart
“She who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up her soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.” (Psalm 24:4)
Honestly, do you think it’s possible to have a pure heart in the modern world? With constant temptations and moral relativism surrounding us, it can seem like an impossible ideal to maintain. Some people may misinterpret “pure heart” as being “holier than thou,” but the Proverbs 31 woman demonstrates that a pure heart is not only achievable, but also crucial for a woman who wants to honor God with her life.
Her heart wasn’t perfect, but it was purified by her respect for the Lord and her desire to follow His ways. A pure heart is one that is focused on God without being distracted by the false idols of this world. It’s a heart that takes pleasure in God’s truth and seeks to live by it, even when it’s challenging.
A pure heart is humble, honest, and sincere in its intentions. However, maintaining a pure heart requires constant vigilance and reliance on God’s grace. We need to be proactive in protecting our hearts, as “out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
A Mother Who Loves Sacrificially
“A mother who loves sacrificially is one who lays down her life for her children, just as Christ laid down His life for us. She is a woman who puts her children’s needs before her own, who sacrifices her own desires and dreams for the sake of her family. She is a woman who loves with a selfless love, a love that is not based on what she can get in return, but on what she can give to others” (1 John 3:16).
Mothers, are you patient enough to listen to your children’s needs? Will you do anything to serve your home? After the death of her husband, Ruth could have returned to her own people. Instead, she clung to Naomi, saying, “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). She willingly left her homeland to accompany the impoverished Naomi back to Bethlehem, determined to care for her.
What a beautiful example of sacrificial love! Ruth put Naomi’s needs before her own, even when it meant giving up her own security and comfort. She didn’t count the cost, but simply poured out her love in service to her mother-in-law. And God honored her selfless devotion, blessing her with a godly husband and a son who would become the grandfather of King David. Your impact transcends generations to come.
Conclusion
Mothers, the Bible presents an inspiring image of the woman we should aim to emulate – one who respects the Lord, has faith in His trustworthiness, and allows His Spirit to nurture enduring virtues in her life. This good mother is not defined by societal standards, but by her unwavering faith, wisdom, and selfless service.
When we focus on the eternal and allow God to mold our hearts, we discover the strength and dignity to confront whatever challenges come our way. Our children and husbands praise us because we have wholeheartedly devoted ourselves to our families.
The essential element is maintaining a joyful spirit that stems from our reverence for the Lord. When we take pleasure in honoring God, even the most ordinary tasks become opportunities for worship. By keeping our hearts pure and fixed on God’s truth without being swayed by the false idols of this world, we set an example of godliness for our children to follow.