For many people the term “A Proverbs 31 Woman” puts images of a June Cleaver-like clone in their heads. She's someone who lives for her husband and family, someone who manages her household wisely, and someone who has extra time to whip up a new dress in time for dinner…

Perhaps the 21^st-century version of this mental picture I'm drawing could be Martha Stewart, although she went to jail for fraud and so that kind of tarnishes her perfect image. The point is, for whatever reason, we always seem to think of outward appearances when we think of the Proverbs 31 passage, which has been dubbed the checklist for the perfect woman.

If you were to study Proverbs 31:10-31 you would see a lot of outward examples mentioned to describe inward qualities. Outward examples like hardworking, diligent, well dressed, and charitable describe virtues like self-esteem, loyalty, strength, dignity, and helpfulness. But what makes a Proverbs 31 woman so amazing? Does this mean she has to be a housewife? Helpful in the kitchen? Good at crafts? And why should any woman want to be like her anyway?

Chuck Swindoll examines this passage of Scripture and some of these questions in his message Beyond Charm and Beauty. As well, he teaches about what makes a woman virtuous why she should embrace her femininity—instead of aiming to be perfect.

Maybe you're a woman unsure of her value in God's eyes, or maybe you know someone who could use some encouragement. Perhaps you just want to listen to a great sermon on a passage of Scripture that's often confusing. Whatever the case, you will benefit from this message.

If nothing else, this message will make it clear a virtuous woman has nothing to do with what she does, but everything to do with who she is. “…The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart,” (1 Samuel 16:7b NIV).