Beauty

Who is the most beautiful person that you can think of? Is he or she maybe a super model, or a Hollywood star? What makes him or her beautiful?

The definition of beauty is far from constant. It changes over time, and is quite different in other countries. But beauty is almost always defined only by the physical appearance of a person.

1 Peter 3:3-4 (WEBBE): ³Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; ⁴but in the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

Having physical beauty is not a bad thing. But there is so much more beauty that comes from within!

Matthew 23:27-28 (WEBBE): ²⁷“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. ²⁸Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

How much time and effort and money do you spend on outward beauty? Be honest with yourself! And how much time do you spend on inner beauty? How much time do you spend in worship, or reading the Word, or encouraging a friend in need? How much money do you spend on charity?

Inner beauty must surely be at least as important as physical beauty in our lives. So my challenge to you is to give it the priority it deserves!