18 Characteristics of a Godly Mother
The world has countless opinions about what defines a good mother. As Christian moms, we don't rely on secular or popular opinions. We turn to God's Word for guidance and wisdom for our motherhood journey. As we read the Bible daily, God reveals to us how we should raise and disciple our children to love and serve God.
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What does the Bible say about being a godly mother?
Throughout the Bible, we read about godly mothers who raised their children to love, honor, and serve God. Mothers like Jochebed, Elizabeth, and Mary raised sons who ministered to and led God’s people. Mothers in the Bible were committed, hardworking, and resourceful. They willingly did the work that was before them.
“She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.” - Proverbs 31:13
Bible verses about godly mothers
"For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him." - 1 Samuel 1:27
"Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come." - Proverbs 31:25
"She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness." - Proverbs 31:27
"As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem." - Isaiah 66:13
"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness." - Proverbs 31:26
Godly mother quotes
"What is a godly mother? A godly mother is one who loves the Lord her God with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength, and then passionately, consistently, and unrelentingly teaches her child to do the same." - Elizabeth George
"No man is poor who has a Godly mother." - Abraham Lincoln
"Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children." - Billy Graham
"Those who think that a woman detained at home by her little family is doing nothing, think the reverse of what is true. Scarcely can the godly mother quit her home for a place of worship; but dream not that she is lost to the work of the church; far from it, she is doing the best possible service for her Lord. Mothers, the godly training of your offspring is your first and most pressing duty." - Charles Spurgeon
"The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom." - Henry Ward Beecher
"In the absence of Biblical conviction, moms will go the way of the culture." - Sally Clarkson
"In the absence of a loving home, children will go the way of the culture." - Sally Clarkson
“Next to God, the mother's power for good is the strongest known on earth. Her smile, her encouragement, may be an inspiring force. Her influence will reach on through time into eternity.” - Ellen White
Here are a few Bible verses about the character traits of godly mothers and what Biblical motherhood looks like:
1. A godly mother seeks Biblical knowledge
Proverbs 15:14 says, "The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness."
A God-fearing mom is intimately connected with God. She maintains a prayer and devotional life to keep a discerning heart. She is intentional about growing her knowledge of the truth by reading her Bible daily and committing Scripture to memory. She prays to seek God’s wisdom and guidance for each day.
2. A godly mother fears the Lord
Psalm 111:10 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments."
Deuteronomy 6:18 also says, "And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you...."
To have the right understanding of godly parenting, a Christian mother recognizes that Biblical motherhood isn't a popularity contest; it is a commitment to God's standards for life and motherhood. A godly mom chooses not to fret about gaining worldly acceptance and meeting unrealistic expectations. Instead, she devotes herself to living in a way that is pleasing to God.
3. A godly mother trusts in God
Psalm 9:10 says, "And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You."
Her trust in God is most evident during the most trying and depleting seasons of her life. Like the widow of Zarephath, she lives by faith and not by sight. She trusts that God will provide for her family’s needs. When it seems like she’s drowning in despair, she keeps her eyes on God and claims His promises for each day.
4. A godly mother cultivates a joyful spirit
Psalm 16:11 says, "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Friends and family who are in the presence of a godly Christian mom can't help but sense the warmth and vibrance of her joy. Her joy is rooted in knowing God will never forsake her as she goes through the challenges of raising children in an ungodly world. Her happy countenance inspires her children to also cultivate a joyful spirit.
5. A godly mother willingly does the work God has set before her
Proverbs 31:13 says, "She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands."
She doesn't wait for inspiration or motivation to strike in order to get things done. She recognizes that everything she does is a gift and a blessing. From keeping a house clean and wiping slobbery faces, to folding mountains of laundry, she praises God — not because she has to, but because she gets to work with her hands to bless her family and glorify God.
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6. A godly mother keeps a pure heart
1 Timothy 4:12 says, "...be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, [e]in spirit, in faith, in purity."
To keep a pure heart, a God-fearing mother is mindful of everything that influences her thoughts, actions, and emotions. She recognizes that what goes in eventually comes out. When the Holy Spirit convicts her of a sin, thought, material possession, or habit that is causing her to compromise her beliefs and values, she surrenders them to God without delay. She realizes that what she consumes eventually affects herself and her motherhood journey.
7. A godly mother is content with what she has
1 Timothy 6:6 says, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain."
She focuses her efforts on pursuing holiness in her thought, words, and actions. She chooses to be content in whatever circumstances God has given her — just as Paul did in prison (Philippians 4:11-12). Her contentment is not conditional, but a conscious commitment. She avoids a greedy and covetous spirit, knowing full well that it will erode her desire for godliness.
8. A godly mother builds up her house
Proverbs 14:1 says, "The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands."
Drawing wisdom and guidance from the Bible, a Christian mother will partner with God and her husband to build a solid foundation for their home. As one, she and her husband lead their family in worship, prayer, and the reading of the Bible. They engage their children in discussions about challenges and world events in light of Scripture. Every morning, she asked the Holy Spirit to reveal various of creating a Christ-centered home.
9. A godly mother is a wise steward of her home, time, and resources
Proverbs 31:27 says, "She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness."
She takes responsibility for her resources and has a plan for the proper management of her home and time. She relies on God and removes distractions like gossip, comparison, social media, movies, and frivolous spending. She stewards her God-given life and finds ways to glorify God through every of her life.
10. A godly mother is a disciple-maker
Matthew 28:19 says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Just like Hannah who raised her son Samuel to live a life of service to God, a Christian mother disciples her children and trains them in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6). She does this best by inviting her children to take part in the wondrous daily experience of communing with God daily. She raises her children to delight in God’s Word by teaching Scripture to toddlers, teenagers, and even babies.
She thinks of countless ways to help her children see, experience, and know the joy of spreading the good news of salvation to those who may not know of God yet. Whether through neighborhood ministry or church-led mission trips, she supports her children in their roles as God’s young disciples.
11. A godly mother cheerfully serves her family as unto God
Colossians 3:23 says, "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men."
Philippians 2:14 also says, "Do all things without complaining and disputing."
As a home missionary, a godly mom recognizes she has been appointed by Christ to serve Him as a missionary in her own home. She realizes ministry doesn't only happen in the mission field and in church — it happens daily in the seemingly mundane and ordinary moments that unfold within the four walls of her home. Her service to God is an act of wholehearted praise and worship.
12. A godly mother lives with unswerving integrity
Psalm 24:3-5 says, "Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.”
A God-fearing mom lives with integrity. Her identity is secure in Christ. He empowers her to trust securely in His Promises while raising her children in an ungodly world. In seeking to follow the Lord's will in everything, she finds peace, strength, and safety in Christ — no matter how difficult her struggles may be.
13. A godly mother prays for her children
Colossians 4:2 says, "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving."
A praying mother intercedes for her children daily. Her prayers protect her children from being deceived by the lies of the world. She prays for their salvation and asks God to give them teachable hearts so they may be ready to receive and accept the blessings of engaging and trusting in God's Word.
14. A godly mother trains her children in the way they should go
Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
A God-fearing mother helps her children discover God's will, purpose, and path for their lives. She helps them discover their God-given gifts and talents and how they may best use them to bless others and glorify God. Through her example, she teaches her children how to pray, live, work, serve, and worship. She teaches them to love others as defined in Scripture. She encourages her children to develop a life-long love of the Bible.
15. A godly mother practices patience and kindness
1 Corinthians 13:4 says, "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up."
She shows empathy and understanding for her children. Her goal is to reflect the character of Christ in her words and actions. She realizes this is not possible without His help. She identifies her triggers and proactively seeks help when she needs a break. She prays throughout the day to ask for God’s help to first be patient and kind with herself so she may also have the capacity to do the same for her children.
16. A godly mother lives with Christ-like selflessness
Romans 12:10 says, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.”
A God-fearing mother finds joy in serving and loving others as Jesus did. She volunteers her time for a good cause and makes herself available for friends, family, and strangers. She supports charities and ministries through time, service, and donations. She is an active listener to whoever needs a listening ear. She never needs a reason to help others, and she practices empathy by being patient with others. Instead of judging others, she puts herself in their shoes and tries to understand what they’re going through.
17. A godly mother partners with God in raising and training her children
Isaiah 54:13 says, “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.”
As David once wrote, “Children are a heritage from the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). A Christian mom seeks and welcomes God’s help into her home. With God’s guidance, she prayerfully assumes her solemn responsibility of loving, cherishing, and teaching them. She begins each day in humble communion with God because she knows Satan is determined to prevent her children from walking in the way of the Lord.
18. A godly mother seeks godly counsel
Proverbs 19:20-21 says, “Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days. There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.”
She seeks counsel and guidance from God-fearing mentors who encourage her and keep her accountable. She maintains a posture of learning and proactively looks for counselors who live according to God’s Word. While seeking counsel, she walks in obedience and searches Scripture for wisdom, direction, and clarity. She prays for God to grant her discernment to know which counsel is in accordance with God’s will.
The Legacy of a Godly Mother
The greatest biblical role of a mother is that of a disciple maker. She solemnly takes on her role in the great commission by pointing her children to God. Matthew 28:19 says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
A Christian mother is God's chosen home missionary to her children. She is her children’s first window into the life and character of Christ. In the mundane moments, a godly mother who is raising her children for Christ is planting seeds of gospel truth in their hearts. The Holy Spirit works alongside her to transform her children’s hearts and prepare them for their future life.
Conclusion
When a godly mother's work is done humbly and for the Lord, God will be made real in the lives of her children. The ungodly world that is drawn by passing phases and outward beauty will never see or understand the immortal beauty of the influence of a godly mother. When mothers partner with God, their children will be fit not only for life in an ungodly world but also for a future in heaven.
