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.