BEAUTY

BEAUTY

BEAUTY IN THE BIBLE

WHAT KIND OF BEAUTY IS REALLY WORTH HAVING? (Genesis 24:1-67)

"Certainly, sir,” she said, and she quickly lowered the jug for him to drink. When he had finished, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels, too, until they have had enough!” (Genesis 24:18-19)

REAL BEAUTY IS INSIDE THE PERSON (1 Peter 3:1-7)

"Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God". (1 Peter 3:3-4)

Rebekah had physical beauty, but the servant was looking for a sign of inner beauty. Physical appearance is important to us, and we spend time and money improving it. But how much effort do we put into developing our inner beauty? Patience, kindness, and joy are the beauty treatments that help us become truly lovely-on the inside.

REAL BEAUTY AFFECTS OTHERS POSITIVELY. ( 1 Timothy 2:1-10)

"I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do." (1 Timothy 2:9-10)

A changed life speaks loudly and clearly, and it is often the most effective way to influence a family member. Peter instructs Christian wives to develop inner beauty rather than being overly concerned about their appearance. Their husbands will be won by their love rather than by their looks. Live your Christian faith quietly and consistently in your home, and your family will see Christ in you.

We should not be obsessed by fashion, but neither should we be so unconcerned that we do not bother to care for ourselves. Hygiene, neatness, and grooming are important, but even more important are a person’s attitude and spirit. True beauty begins inside.

REAL BEAUTY IS NOT SELF-CENTERED.

Apparently, some Christian women were trying to gain respect by looking beautiful rather than becoming Christlike in character. Some may have thought that they could win unbelieving husbands to Christ through their appearance (see Peter’s counsel to such women in 1 Peter 3:1-6). It is not unscriptural for a woman to want to be attractive. Beauty, however, begins inside a person. A gentle, modest, loving character gives a light to the face that cannot be duplicated by the best cosmetics and jewelry in the world. A carefully groomed and well-decorated exterior is artificial and cold unless inner beauty is present.

GOD’S WORD ON BEAUTY

What does it mean to be beautiful? The original Greek and Hebrew words used in the Bible that are translated beauty give some interesting clues. One word describes that which is ripe in its season, produced at the right time. Things are loveliest and best when they are in the right seasons. Life has its seasons, and every season can be the prime of life if we best represent that season in which we are now living. The mature beauty of an older person is quite different from that of a twenty-year-old with an attractive appearance. The beauty of an infant is different from the emerging beauty of an older child. Each has its seasonal beauty. Another word is associated with the beauty of holiness, majesty, splendor. God has this beauty, and those who walk with him reflect it. Still another Bible word speaks of grace, favor, sweetness, charm. This beauty transcends all of the seasons of life, though it may mature as one grows older. Combine all of these and there is a special beauty in symphony-physically beautiful and pleasing to behold, filled with grace and charm and pleasing to be with, representing well the proper season of life, and filled with the beauty of God’s holiness and majesty.

WHAT DOES GOD CONSIDER BEAUTIFUL?

1 Peter 3:4-5 . . . You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

Proverbs 19:22 . . . Loyalty makes a person attractive. And it is better to be poor than dishonest.

The more we reflect God and godliness, the more we radiate his beauty. What could be more beautiful than a perfect God?

1 Samuel 16:7 . . . People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.

We train our eyes to look at someone’s physical appearance. God sees through physical appearance into the heart. Society too often believes that an ugly face with a beautiful heart is an unattractive person. To God, real beauty comes from who we are, not what we look like.

BEAUTY MAY BE A BLESSING, BUT IT MAY ALSO HARM OR CORRUPT US.

Esther 1:10-20 . . . King Xerxes [told his attendants] to bring Queen Vashti to him with the royal crown on her head. He wanted all the men to gaze on her beauty, for she was a very beautiful woman.

Ezekiel 28:17 . . . Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor.

Because we tend to have a misguided view of beauty, those who are physically beautiful can be harmed by it. They can also use their beauty in a corrupt way. And those who are not beautiful may become victims of discrimination.

BEAUTIFUL APPEARANCE DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN BEAUTIFUL CONDUCT.

Ezekiel 16:18, 25 . . . You used the beautifully embroidered clothes I gave you to cover your idols. Then you used my oil and incense to worship them . . . you defiled your beauty, offering your body to every passerby, in an endless stream of prostitution.

Beauty can be used for evil, and when it is, it becomes something very ugly.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT KINDS OF MODELS FOR BEAUTY.

1 Corinthians 15:41 . . . The sun has one kind of glory, while the moon and stars each have another kind. And even the stars differ from each other in their beauty and brightness.

Beauty comes in assorted sizes and shapes, appearances and actions. There is no one model for beauty. In a very real sense each of us, within the context of God’s Word, creates a model for the beauty we exhibit to others.

INWARD BEAUTY IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN OUTWARD BEAUTY.

1 Peter 3:3-5 . . . Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

Physical beauty fades with age. Inner beauty can mature with age. While we all appreciate looking as nice as we can, and strive to do so, it is that inner beauty that prevails, now and over the long term.

HOW CAN MY WORDS BE BEAUTIFUL?

Proverbs 15:26 . . . The Lord despises the thoughts of the wicked, but he delights in pure words.

Proverbs 25:11 . . . Timely advice is as lovely as golden apples in a silver basket.

Beautiful words are the fruit of godly thoughts and character.

HOW CAN MY ACTIONS BE BEAUTIFUL?

1 Timothy 2:10 . . . Women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.

Beautiful conduct is the fruit of godly thoughts and character.

HOW CAN MY WORSHIP BE BEAUTIFUL?

Psalm 33:1 . . . Let the godly sing with joy to the Lord, for it is fitting to praise him.

Beautiful worship is the fruit of a beautiful relationship with God.

PROMISE FROM GOD:

Proverbs 31:30 . . . Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

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