Skip to main content

Inside Out


    In this world we live in, there is a lot of focus on outward appearances. Businesses advertise based on our vanity; trying to sell us the next new face cream or exercise equipment guaranteed to make us look better in no time! We are all bought into this system to some extent. And it really isn't bad to want to look nice, as long as we aren't extreme and keep our focus where it should be… on the one who made us all! As a simple reminder today,  I looked into what the Bible says about beauty.

1 Peter 3:3-5 Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands. (NLT)

    We are not made beautiful from how we present ourselves outwardly, but rather from how we present ourselves inwardly, to God. We are made beautiful from the inside out. We are made beautiful by doing His work here on the earth and for abiding in Him wholeheartedly. For the things of this earth will fade. Beauty does not last, nor will anything else of this world. If we cannot take it with us into eternity, it isn't worth much. Beauty is fleeting.

Ezekiel 28:17 Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. (ESV)
Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news,
the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! (NLT)
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (ESV)

     However, we can confidently say that we are all beautiful for we were created in the image of God. If God were not an accurate representation of beauty, I don't know who would be! Look around at the other works of His hands-- the sunset, the trees, the oceans, the flowers, the birds-- and we are worth so much more to Him! He created us in His own image. We are more beautiful than all those things.

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female. (HCSB)
Psalm 27:4 I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking Him in His temple. (HCSB)

    Now this topic may be more geared towards the ladies, however, there are some things to consider as a man as well. What kind of women do you find attractive? Women who find their beauty in clothing and makeup? Or women with hearts truly after God? We all are to look at one another with pure hearts and not to be deceived by outward appearances and lust for one another. Seek to examine others' beauty the way that Jesus does-- through the heart.


Proverbs 6:24-25 It will keep you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of a promiscuous woman. Don’t lust for her beauty. Don’t let her coy glances seduce you. (NLT)
Matthew 5:28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (NIV)
Proverbs 31:10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. (ESV)
1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (NIV)

     Today and every day, let us strive to find the beauty of the heart. Let us seek to see what Jesus sees in those around us. Let us appreciate them according to the depths of their hearts. Let's start looking at beauty inside out.





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How Firm a Foundation

Matthew 7:24-27 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” Luke 6:46-49 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Seeing by Faith

    When we are trying to live by faith, the things that inhibit us are the things that are right under our noses. We are trained to live based on the things around us. We don't believe anything if we don't see proof of it. The things around us are more our reality than what we say we believe in. But the Bible tells us that we are to walk by faith and not by sight. We are to live based on what we know is truth, not by what we see.     The things we see around us distract us from the reality we should be living in. What is unseen is eternal and more important than the things of this world. We need to fix our eyes on what is lasting and know the difference. We need to be filling ourselves with the word and not the world. When we are distracted by the world, we forget the truth. We become discouraged and doubt our faith. We need to draw strength from one another so that we may run the race with endurance.     What is determining your reality today? Is i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Jealous Eyes to Thankful Hearts

    When you love someone you want the best for them. You don't think about all the things they have and you don't, but you think of what you want to give to them. Likewise, it is hard to love someone when you are focused on wanting all their blessings. Jealousy is blinding. We cannot love with envy standing in the way.     Envy takes our eyes off of Jesus and the things He is doing and onto what He is not  seeming to do for us, personally. It is a dangerous trap to be in because you are blind to what He has given to you. He blesses and uses us all differently. Amazingly, we are each completely unique in Him. Don't let the enemy distract you with what you don't seem to have, but let Jesus show you what you do.     When we don't see what is around us we begin to lose our thankfulness. We are supposed to be living a lifestyle of thankfulness to Jesus and all the wonderful things He has done for us. We thank Him and we praise Him and let Him use us ac...
Post a Comment
Read more