Being a good mom is a difficult thing to do. As Christians, it is our responsibility to use the Bible as a guide for how we live our lives. Specifically, we might ask the question, “What are some characteristics of a good mother in the Bible?”
Luckily the Bible is full of wisdom on how we should live our lives. Although the Bible doesn’t always speak specifically to the characteristics of a good mother, we can look at different Bible verses to determine what a good mom is.
Christian moms should use God’s word to help guide them in their lives. It can help us to understand what being a great mom is and looks like. Without further adieu here are 43 characteristics of a good mother in the Bible.
A Godly Mother Trusts in God
One important characteristic of Christian moms is that they trust in God. It is clear throughout the Bible that the best way to live our lives is by trusting in God, not our own ability.
It can be tempting to try to figure things out ourselves or rely on our own abilities to care for our own children, but the Bible teaches that we need God’s help. In Psalm 9:10 the Bible says, “And those who know your name will put their trust in you; for you, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”
Part of being a godly woman is placing your trust in God. There are so many books and videos on how to be a good mother, but you should rely more on faith in God than anything else.
A Good Mother Is Forgiving
Another characteristic of a good mother in the Bible is that they are forgiving. God’s love was demonstrated to us that while we were still sinners God forgave us. Therefore, a characteristic of a good mother in the Bible would mirror that godly characteristic of forgiveness.
The Apostle Paul taught this in Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” One of the characteristics of a godly mother is that she is forgiving, just like God was forgiving towards us.
This can apply to the way that you respond to your children or husband. Mothers should be willing to forgive.
A Godly Mother Is Self-Controlled
The third of the qualities of a good mother is that they are self-controlled. If you cannot control yourself, it is going to be difficult for you to control your household. As a virtuous woman, you should seek to be self-controlled.
Luckily the Holy Spirit wants to aid us in our pursuit towards self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…” When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, self-control is a byproduct, so let’s seek the Holy Spirit in our own lives.
A Good Mother Seeks Biblical Knowledge
The fourth characteristic of a good mother is that she seeks Biblical knowledge. Living in God’s plan is a key to being a good mother, and the way that we live in God’s plan is by understanding a living the word of God.
We are taught this in Psalm 119:97-100. It says, “Now that I know these things, I have put them into practice. So now I always obey your laws; I hate everyone who is evil. I love your commands more than gold, even the finest gold. In my opinion, nothing is worth more than wisdom.”
The Psalmist is teaching that we should love God’s rules because they help us to live better lives.
A Godly Mother Is Humble
Another characteristic of a good mother is that a good mother is humble. It can be easy to be proud of your kids. When they do something great, you might want to brag about them for the day. You might even want to praise yourself for the great job you are doing, but one characteristic of a godly mother is that she is humble.
Philippians 2:3 says this, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” We should be a good example by not being prideful. Such things will keep us away from God.
Instead, we should be humble, and we should give all the glory to God when things go right.
A Good Mother Is Hardworking
The sixth characteristic of a good mother in the Bible is that a good mother is hardworking. The Bible does not say if a mother should be in the workplace or stay at home, but it does teach that whatever you do, work hard at it. You should be responsible for caring for your family’s needs. If your family needs you to work, then work. If your family needs you to stay at home, stay at home.
The Bible says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men…” Colossians 3:23. Mothers should follow this teaching by working hard in everything that they do.
A Godly Mother Is Wise
The Bible says, “The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasion to his lips.” Proverbs 16:23. That means that mothers have a responsibility to become wise. Mothers should study what the Bible teaches, and they should try their best to be wise in every decision they make.
A Good Mother Is Prayerful
A good mother is also committed to prayer. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, the Bible says, “Pray continually…” A good mother follows this instruction, so she is committed to prayer. Over her family and over everything else, a good mother is a prayerful mother.
A Godly Mother Loves Jesus Above All Else
The ninth characteristic is that a godly mother loves Jesus above all else. There are so many things that are trying to achieve our love. Our families are one of the things that can be a temptation to love more than Jesus, but godly mothers love Jesus even more than their families.
Mark 12:30 says, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” God loves us with unconditional love, so we should love Him with unconditional love as well.
Even more than their families, Godly mothers love Jesus above all else.
A Good Christian Mother Is a Woman of Faith
Mothers don’t just have faith in God’s plan, they truly have faith in God. The Bible tells us, “And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
A Christian mother has to put her faith in God.
A Godly Mother is Courageous
Another Christian characteristic of a good mother is that they have courage. They have the courage to stand up for what is right and lead their kids well. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Godly mothers have the courage to do what is right.
A Good Mother Studies The Word of God
The twelfth characteristic of a good mother is that she studies God’s word. It can be hard to make the right choices as a person without the word of God. Good mothers study God’s word and let it guide their decision-making.
Psalm 1:1-2 says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” There is a blessing for mothers whenever they focus on God’s word and not what social media is teaching.
A Godly Mother Is a Woman of Integrity
A godly mother is also a woman of integrity. She is the same in the easy times and the difficult times, so she is consistent with what is right. It can be challenging to live for God consistently, but that is exactly what a godly mother does.
Proverbs 11:3 says “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.”Godly mothers are guided when they live with integrity. They don’t give up on the ungodly world.
A Good Mother Cultivates Her Home
Characteristic number 14 of a good mother in the Bible is that she cultivates her home. Sometimes laziness can be a big temptation, and we want to do things our own way. Part of being a good mother is staying consistent to cultivate your home during the hard times.
Proverbs 31:27 says, “She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.” In your own life, you should focus on cultivating your home, and this is done by putting effort into caring for the tasks at home.
A Godly Mother Is Hospitable
One characteristic of a good mother that is evident in the life of Jesus Christ is that a good mother is hospitable. We see in Jesus’ life that he was always welcoming to the people who were around him, and a mother should have this same trait. Mothers shouldn’t be standoffish but instead, mothers should welcome people in.
Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” All Christians should be hospitable to others.
A Good Mother Is a Woman of Strength
A good mother is also a woman of strength. This does not mean that mothers need to lift heavy things, but it does mean that a mother is firm in the things that she believes in. She is not influenced by culture and society, but instead, she is confident and strong that God’s way is the best way. The Bible says, “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25
A Godly Mother Loves Her Family Unconditionally
In the same way that Christ loved the church, mothers should love their families unconditionally. Colossians 3:14 says, “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”
A Godly Mother Is a Prayer Warrior
Not only should mothers pray over their families, they should be devoted to prayer throughout their lives. They should pray over every situation that they go through. This is modeled in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
A Good Mother Submits To The Will of the Lord
A good mother also submits, not just to her husband, but also to the will of God. It can be easy to remember that a good wife submits to her husband, but a good mother also submits to God’s will. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
A Godly Mother Maintains a Pure Heart
Godly mothers keep their hearts pure, so they don’t allow culture to shape what they believe or how they live. A psalmist prayed in Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Mothers should also have this pursuit.
A Good Mother Is Compassionate
Another characteristic of a good mother is that a good mother is compassionate. Jesus was compassionate, and mothers should be too. A mother without compassion won’t have the grace that she needs to raise children well.
We see Jesus have compassion in Matthew 9:35, “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.” Mothers should imitate the compassion that Jesus had for people.
A Godly Mother Points Her Children to Christ
A Christian mother should also point her children to Christ, so they will grow up with faith too. By the power of the Holy Spirit, mothers should witness to their children how good Jesus is. This means that mothers should bring their children to church and show Christ through their actions.
A verse that goes with this is Acts 1:8, “And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Mothers should be witnesses to their families.
A Good Mother Is a Servant of the Lord
A godly mother is also a servant of God, so she is not self-serving. It can be easy for mothers to go after the things that they want, but God teaches that we should set our minds on things.
Jesus set the example of being a servant. In Matthew 20:28 it says, “And he said to them, ‘The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” We should follow this example by serving God above all else.
A Godly Mother Leads by Example
Another characteristic that is good for a godly mother is that they lead by example. Godly mothers should set the tone for their children by the way they live, so their children will know the difference between right and wrong. Hebrews 13:7 says, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”
Children always imitate their parents, so mothers should focus on setting a good example according to the Bible.
A Good Mother Is Faithful
Another great characteristic of a mother is that a mother is faithful. Faithfulness to God, her children, and her husband are all important parts of being a godly mother. Philippians 1:6 says, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
A Godly Mother Loves the Lord With All Her Heart
A godly mother also loves God with all her heart. Jesus set the expectation that the most important thing in life is loving God, so mothers should make that a focus for themselves. In Mark 12:30 it says, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’”
Mothers don’t just love their families with all their hearts, but they also love God with all their hearts.
A Good Mother Is Obedient to the Word of God
Hannah was a mother in the Bible who listened to God, so she was blessed with a child. We should follow Hannah’s example by being people who are obedient to what God says because God blesses us whenever we are faithful to his word.
A Godly Mother Raises Her Children To The Lord
Another important characteristic of godly mothers is that they raise their children to the Lord. Many mothers do the best they can to raise their children, but mothers should focus on raising their kids in a way that they know who God is.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says, “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Mothers should constantly be sharing God’s teachings with their kids.
A Good Mother Seeks God’s Wisdom
James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” Mothers should follow this instruction, and God will honor them by giving them wisdom. Many people seek wisdom from different places, but godly mothers look for wisdom in the right place.
A Godly Mother Partners with God
It can be easy to feel like the weight of raising children is on yourself, but the Bible teaches us that we should partner with God to help us in our lives. God made us, so He is the best at helping us fulfill our potential. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Since we are God’s masterpieces, he knows everything about us, so He knows how to partner with us in a way that is going to better everyone around us.
A Good Mother Recognizes Her Children Are Gifts from God
Children can be challenging sometimes, but God teaches us that we should view our children as a blessing from him. Psalm 127:3 says, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”
Children are a blessing, so our attitude towards them should reflect that. We shouldn’t get angry with our children, but we should praise God for the gift of our children.
A Godly Mother Is Thankful
Another great characteristic of a godly mother is that a godly mother is thankful for what God has given her. Thankfulness is an important part of being a Christian, so mothers should be thankful for everything. Mothers are blessed with life, children, and so much more, so they should be grateful for those blessings.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 teaches us to, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Mothers should follow this teaching, and they should focus on being grateful.
A Good Mother cultivates a joyful spirit
Life can be challenging, so it can be easy to lose our joy. Mothers are called to deny this desire for bitterness, and they should lean into a spirit of Joy.
Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” Mothers should find joy in life, so their kids will also have joyful lives.
A Godly Mother Fears the Lord
Along with the idea that mothers seek wisdom from God, mothers fear 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.” Mothers should recognize that fear of the Lord leads to wisdom, so they should focus on having a Biblical reverence for Him.
A Good Mother does the work God has given her
Mothers might be tempted to pursue the careers and desires that they want, but a godly mother lets God decide what work she will do. Proverbs 31:13 says, “She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.” This Biblical model shows us that mothers should allow God to show them where to work, and they should work willingly.
A Godly mother is happy with what she has
Comparison can be a tough topic for a mother, so staying content is a characteristic of a godly mother. Mothers shouldn’t compare what they have with others, but they should be happy with what they have been given. 1 Timothy 6:6 says, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.” Don’t compare the things you have with others, but be grateful for what God has given you.
A Good Mother Builds Up Her House
A clear characteristic of a good mother is that a good mother builds up her house. Family drama can be wild, but a good mother builds the members of her family up. She does not tear down her kids with negative talk, but she encourages and builds them up.
This concept is mentioned in Proverbs 14:1, where it says, “The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.” Mothers should build their homes up, not tear them down.
A Godly Mother Stewards Her Resources Well
Godly women have the calling to steward what they have well. Proverbs 31:27 says, “She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.”
Mothers should steward their children’s lives as well as their resources because God teaches that it is important to take care of what we have.
A Godly Mother Make Disciples
The great commission was a responsibility that Jesus gave to His people, so mothers should make disciples. 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.”
Jesus taught that Christians should make disciples and mothers are not exempt from this. A mother’s children should be the first people that she disciples, but she should also disciple other people outside of her home.
A Good Mother Serves Her Family Well
It might be easy to serve at church, but sometimes it is not easy to serve your own household. A good mother, however, prioritizes her family and serves them well. Colossians 3:23 says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”
Mothers taking care of their household are not excused from this teaching either, so whatever a mother does in the house, she should do it well.
A Godly Mother Trains Her Children in Decision Making
Similar to the fact that a mother should make disciples out of her children, mothers should also teach their children how to make good choices. 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 godly mother teaches her children well, so they grow up to be good people. That is a mark of a good mother.
A Good Mother is Patient
Children can be exhausting, and they can test your patience. A good mother, however, is patient according to the Bible. 1 Corinthians 13:4 says, “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up.” Be patient with your children, and don’t let them make you go over the edge. Instead ask God to give you patience, when they are being mischievous.
A Godly Mother is Kind
Part of being a godly mother is the teaching of kindness to your kids. One way your kids will learn kindness is by your example to be kind. You should teach your kids to be kind, not just by what you say, but by how you live.
The Bible tells us to set an example with the things we say and do. Mothers should be kind and set an example for their children by the way they live.
