Our culture puts forth a false standard of beauty and a false message about beauty. But ultimately it’s the sin of our hearts that motivates us to believe them. These lies appeal to all the things our hearts desire. In Jeremiah 17:9 we read that “our hearts are deceitful above all things and desperately sick!” We desperately want success, recognition, significance, importance, and approval.
Scripture reveals the fallacy and the hollowness of the quest for physical beauty. “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain” (Proverbs 31:30). Carolyn Mahaney says, “Nowhere in the Bible are women instructed to wish for, ask for, or strive for physical beauty. Neither does the Bible portray physical beauty as a blessing for those who have it”
This is why, in 1 Peter 3:3, we are exhorted: “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing.” After reading that verse, we know God is not saying that women shouldn’t style their hair of wear jewelry, for then He would also be excluding clothing—and we know for sure that is not the case!
However, what we do find this verse forbidding, says Matthew Henry, is the “inordinate love and excessive use (that is, the abuse) of them.” He goes on to say, “we must not set our hearts upon them, nor value ourselves by them, nor think the better of ourselves for them, nor pride ourselves in them, as if they added any real excellence to us.”
God’s definition of beauty stands out much greater than how our culture defines beauty. Our culture defines beauty by how we look on the outside. God defines beauty by how we look on the inside. God’s agenda for beauty is one that we can all attain if we respond to His work on the cross for us and then notice His grace in our lives. This beauty is one of great worth! God encourages women to cultivate a beauty that will NEVER fade and will only grow more attractive with the passing of time, a beauty that is only attractive in His eyes. A woman, who cultivates inner beauty; who fears God and lives to serve others makes a difference in people’s lives. Her inner beauty makes a lasting impact on the lives she touches. Godly, inner beauty makes an indelible mark on the lives of others and glorifies God. The way we think about and attend to our personal appearance is really a mirror of our hearts. By reflecting either godly motivations or selfish motivations, we reveal whether our priority is to cultivate inner beauty or outer beauty.” –Carolyn Mahaney
God is not opposed to us making ourselves beautiful; rather He unveils how women are to make themselves beautiful. Tomorrow we’ll unfold exactly how to do this!
Scripture reveals the fallacy and the hollowness of the quest for physical beauty. “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain” (Proverbs 31:30). Carolyn Mahaney says, “Nowhere in the Bible are women instructed to wish for, ask for, or strive for physical beauty. Neither does the Bible portray physical beauty as a blessing for those who have it”
This is why, in 1 Peter 3:3, we are exhorted: “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing.” After reading that verse, we know God is not saying that women shouldn’t style their hair of wear jewelry, for then He would also be excluding clothing—and we know for sure that is not the case!
However, what we do find this verse forbidding, says Matthew Henry, is the “inordinate love and excessive use (that is, the abuse) of them.” He goes on to say, “we must not set our hearts upon them, nor value ourselves by them, nor think the better of ourselves for them, nor pride ourselves in them, as if they added any real excellence to us.”
God’s definition of beauty stands out much greater than how our culture defines beauty. Our culture defines beauty by how we look on the outside. God defines beauty by how we look on the inside. God’s agenda for beauty is one that we can all attain if we respond to His work on the cross for us and then notice His grace in our lives. This beauty is one of great worth! God encourages women to cultivate a beauty that will NEVER fade and will only grow more attractive with the passing of time, a beauty that is only attractive in His eyes. A woman, who cultivates inner beauty; who fears God and lives to serve others makes a difference in people’s lives. Her inner beauty makes a lasting impact on the lives she touches. Godly, inner beauty makes an indelible mark on the lives of others and glorifies God. The way we think about and attend to our personal appearance is really a mirror of our hearts. By reflecting either godly motivations or selfish motivations, we reveal whether our priority is to cultivate inner beauty or outer beauty.” –Carolyn Mahaney
God is not opposed to us making ourselves beautiful; rather He unveils how women are to make themselves beautiful. Tomorrow we’ll unfold exactly how to do this!
1 comment:
Candace, Thank you, thank you and again thank you! This really spoke to me as a young women who strives for beauty but wants to serve the Lord! Thank you again!
~Lauren E.
Post a Comment