Graphic and Photo by Jennifer Shipman

We’ve made it to the final six points of our list of “Rules for God’s Daughters”! You can read all about the inspiration for this list in “Rules for God’s Daughters: Part 1“. So to recap: This list really resonates with me as the mom of a young daughter. But it also set off some warning bells. The Bible says to “test everything” (1 Thessalonians 5:21), because one of the devil’s greatest weapons is subtle lies: things that look good or feel good but are just a little twisted from God’s truth.

God’s ways are not our ways, and his wisdom will seem foolish to the world. The world’s wisdom looks so good, but held up to the light of Scripture the devil’s lies show through. So I challenge you again: “question everything” and test it against Scripture. So then, here are points 26-31!

26. Say Please, Thank You, and Pardon Me, whenever the situation warrants it.

God’s version: Say Please, Thank You and Pardon Me, whether the situation warrants it or not.

The Bible has a lot to say about the “Golden Rule” and how to behave toward others. There are absolutely situations we should simply avoid or escape when necessary, but in general, we are to always act with courtesy and grace, even when others don’t react in kind. In a culture that insists the rights of self over the consideration of others, teaches us to put self first, and takes offense at everything, it can be so hard to put others first. Giving up our own rights out of love for each other takes just that – love. And it’s not in us naturally; we need Jesus, the perfect example of humility and love.

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
~ Luke 6:31

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
~ Romans 12:10

To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
~ Titus 3:2

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

27. Reserve I’m sorry for when you truly are.

God’s version: Say I’m sorry, and be truly sorry.

I agree that “I’m sorry” should not be used flippantly. But I also believe that if you’ve wronged someone, then you need the humility to choose to be sorry, even when you don’t feel that way. We all know how hard it is to forgive someone who hasn’t apologized, and yet we all want forgiveness for ourselves. But how hard do we make it for others to forgive us if we don’t choose to be sorry? When the Holy Spirit reveals our sins to us, Scripture is very clear that we are to repent of our sins. If we’ve wronged someone, we’ve sinned.

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
~ Matthew 5:23-24

For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.
~ 2 Corinthians 1:12

Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
~ Matthew 3:8 

Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,
~ Acts 3:19 

28. Naps are for grown-ups, too.

I love me some napping. But, like so many other things in life: do it in moderation. God has a lot to say about rest (which of course is more than napping). On the flip side, he also has a lot to say about laziness. If you are sick or sleep-deprived then I think a nap or three are certainly in order. However, if you’re napping every day out of laziness (we have to be honest with ourselves here, I think) then it may be an issue. God values rest but abhors laziness.

The following verses can seem contradictory at a glance. But study the subjects of rest and laziness throughout the whole of Scripture and you will see a balance there, a harmony. There is a big difference in taking a needed nap and being a sluggard!

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
~ Psalm 127:2

Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest. In plowing time and in harvest you shall rest.
~ Exodus 34:21

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
~ Psalm 4:8 

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
~ Proverbs 13:4

The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.
~ Proverbs 20:4 

29. Question everything except your own intuition.

God’s version: Question everything except Scripture.

God created intuition, and the Holy Spirit often speaks through our intuition. However, it’s still just intuition, and susceptible to listening to lies and not only the Holy Spirit. So: test what we hear, think, or feel against Scripture. Because the more grounded we are in the Word, the more it becomes part of our daily experience, and the more reliable our intuition will be. Also, the more wisdom we will have to know the Scripture in our hearts and minds.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
~ 1 John 4:1

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
~ John 14:26 

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
~ James 1:5 

Yes, if you call out for insight
    and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasures,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
    he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
guarding the paths of justice
    and watching over the way of his saints.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice
    and equity, every good path;
for wisdom will come into your heart,
    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
discretion will watch over you,
    understanding will guard you…
~ Proverbs 2:3-11

30. You have enough. You are enough.

We don’t need to have more or be more. Instead, we need to practice contentment and gratitude. This is such a huge topic that I can’t even begin to cover it in a few short sentences in a blog post! While I don’t want to ignore the reality of poverty, most of us have enough and then some. God’s given us everything we need to live and to do whatever he’s called us to do.

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
~ Hebrews 13:5 

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
~ 1 Timothy 6:6-9 

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
~ 2 Peter 1:3 

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 4:19

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us…
~ Ephesians 3:20 

31. You are amazing! Don’t let anyone ever make you feel you are not. If someone does….walk away. You deserve better.

This is true! We are fearfully and wonderfully made – we are amazing! Because God made us that way! So then, anyone that treats us as less than God’s daughters (and sons) is not healthy for us, and we may need to walk away. We can still love people – and yes, forgive them too – without sticking around for more abuse. God loves you! This is a message that every heart needs to hear.

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 
~ Psalm 139:13-15 

So that’s all 31 rules, and what the Bible has to say about them! I pray that I can teach them to my daughter – and practice them myself.

What do you think? Leave a comment below! (Remember, be kind. It’s okay to disagree, but do it with grace. Ugly or malicious comments will not be posted.)