This morning I read in Proverbs 31:30, "Charm
is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a
woman who fears the LORD,
she shall be praised." Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks upon the heart. Whilst hairstyles and clothing options are different for men and women, the chaste conduct Peter exhorted women to exhibit is practical for both sexes in 1 Peter 3:3-4: "Do not
let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold,
or putting on fine apparel-- 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the
incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious
in the sight of God." Luxury watches are called "timeless" and Gucci and other designer apparels command a high price, but God deems humble hearts beautiful and precious.
A person need not be a model or beauty queen to be vain, even as we need not be wealthy to be miserly. Vanity can be a very subtle sin similar to that of greed, and it is never content. Money is not bad in itself, and it is in no way sinful to wear clothes purchased in high-end boutiques. A man is not more spiritual because he buys used unbranded clothes, nor is a person conceited and self-absorbed because she wears make-up and has a number of designer handbags. At every stage of our lives - whether we have money to afford luxuries or are clothed by charitable donations - we are responsible to consider the condition of our hearts. The young man should ask himself why he is working towards six-pack abs: is it because he seeks to be fit, to draw attention to self, to impress others, or? Sometimes we don't bother to think things through this far concerning our primary motivation in making decisions.
This subject of cultivating a heart after God (which does not preclude being well-groomed, well-presented, and keeping fit) is spoken of in 1 Timothy 2:8-9: "I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing," When our eyes are fixed on the LORD and our hearts leaning into Him in worship, we won't be obsessed over our appearance or trying to impress others with wealth. A heart rejoicing and content in the LORD does not find its identity in the fragrance or brands of clothing we wear. Is there anything inherently wrong with braiding hair or wearing gold jewellery? Should we avoid pearls and stock up on diamonds and platinum instead? That is obviously not the point: we ought to cultivate praying, humble, and meek hearts which seek the approval of God - not to live to impress men.
The principle held forth in scripture goes beyond the examples provided. Outward adornment of our bodies today has gone beyond hairstyles or clothing worn but now includes injections, piercings, implants, and modifications. Is there anything inherently wrong with surgeries considered "cosmetic?" Hardly. Only God can know hearts, and I cannot count the many sensible reasons people undergo various procedures to lift this, tuck that, and shape parts of their bodies to be bigger or smaller. The vast amount of people who utilise these services suggests there might be many people inside and outside of the church who are not, for whatever reason, comfortable or content in their own skin. The pressure to look a certain way does not end in our youth when peer pressure is supposedly at a peak but continues. It's a good thing to ask ourselves: why do I want implants? What's the reason behind me wanting cosmetic surgery, seeking whiter skin, reducing wrinkles, dying my hair, or making my lips fuller? Is there a degree of vanity at play? Am I more focused on my outward appearance or the condition of my heart before God?
How good it is that the God who knows our hearts can also transform them. We who were mired in greed, selfishness, and vanity have been redeemed from the curse of sin and reconciled to God by His grace. As Christians we no longer need be ruled by commands and prohibitions as Israelites under Law, for the Holy Spirit indwells us and leads us righteously. May we all as followers of Jesus place our primary focus on our great God, seeking His approval rather than seeking to catch the attention of others. The fear of God is more praiseworthy than a flawless physique or designer clothes.
A person need not be a model or beauty queen to be vain, even as we need not be wealthy to be miserly. Vanity can be a very subtle sin similar to that of greed, and it is never content. Money is not bad in itself, and it is in no way sinful to wear clothes purchased in high-end boutiques. A man is not more spiritual because he buys used unbranded clothes, nor is a person conceited and self-absorbed because she wears make-up and has a number of designer handbags. At every stage of our lives - whether we have money to afford luxuries or are clothed by charitable donations - we are responsible to consider the condition of our hearts. The young man should ask himself why he is working towards six-pack abs: is it because he seeks to be fit, to draw attention to self, to impress others, or? Sometimes we don't bother to think things through this far concerning our primary motivation in making decisions.
This subject of cultivating a heart after God (which does not preclude being well-groomed, well-presented, and keeping fit) is spoken of in 1 Timothy 2:8-9: "I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing," When our eyes are fixed on the LORD and our hearts leaning into Him in worship, we won't be obsessed over our appearance or trying to impress others with wealth. A heart rejoicing and content in the LORD does not find its identity in the fragrance or brands of clothing we wear. Is there anything inherently wrong with braiding hair or wearing gold jewellery? Should we avoid pearls and stock up on diamonds and platinum instead? That is obviously not the point: we ought to cultivate praying, humble, and meek hearts which seek the approval of God - not to live to impress men.
The principle held forth in scripture goes beyond the examples provided. Outward adornment of our bodies today has gone beyond hairstyles or clothing worn but now includes injections, piercings, implants, and modifications. Is there anything inherently wrong with surgeries considered "cosmetic?" Hardly. Only God can know hearts, and I cannot count the many sensible reasons people undergo various procedures to lift this, tuck that, and shape parts of their bodies to be bigger or smaller. The vast amount of people who utilise these services suggests there might be many people inside and outside of the church who are not, for whatever reason, comfortable or content in their own skin. The pressure to look a certain way does not end in our youth when peer pressure is supposedly at a peak but continues. It's a good thing to ask ourselves: why do I want implants? What's the reason behind me wanting cosmetic surgery, seeking whiter skin, reducing wrinkles, dying my hair, or making my lips fuller? Is there a degree of vanity at play? Am I more focused on my outward appearance or the condition of my heart before God?
How good it is that the God who knows our hearts can also transform them. We who were mired in greed, selfishness, and vanity have been redeemed from the curse of sin and reconciled to God by His grace. As Christians we no longer need be ruled by commands and prohibitions as Israelites under Law, for the Holy Spirit indwells us and leads us righteously. May we all as followers of Jesus place our primary focus on our great God, seeking His approval rather than seeking to catch the attention of others. The fear of God is more praiseworthy than a flawless physique or designer clothes.
No comments:
Post a Comment
To uphold the integrity of this site, no comments with links for advertising will be posted. No ads here! :)