Living a Life That Honors GodSample

Inner Beauty

Women tend to enjoy external adorning, like jewelry and clothing. And men tend to be attracted by women’s looks. That’s good. External beauty is one of God’s gifts to humanity. He did not create plants, animals, and humans to just be functional, but gave each their own beauty. And within marriage, physical attraction may be enjoyed and received as a blessing from God.

But the apostle Peter warns his readers not to be excessively focused on external beauty, as if that would be the most important thing in life. No, he says, “the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” is far more valuable in God’s sight.

This focus on inner beauty instead of outward appearance is a recurring theme in the Bible.  “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Let this motivate you to not (only) focus on external adorning, but on the transformation and sanctification of your heart. That’s not a do-it-yourself project. We can ask God for help: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10).