The Secret: How Do You See Love?Sample

The Better Beauty

Written By: Pastor Dan Hickling

“Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—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.”—1 Peter 3:3-4 (NKJV)

We’re prone to think that being attracted to someone of the opposite sex is a “no, no” in God’s book. Well, it certainly can be . . . but not always. The difference is all a matter of what we’re attracted to.

In his first epistle, Peter tells us that there are two different kinds of beauty that can attract us. There’s an outward beauty that’s obvious; marked by the hair being “just so,” plenty of bling, and the best wardrobe money can buy. This is the type of beauty that our society continually conditions us to focus on and even worship.

Then there’s another beauty that Peter points us to. It’s not as outwardly obvious, it doesn’t get much ink on the fashion blogs, nor does it inspire many YouTube tutorials. But its value is far greater and will withstand the test of time and transiency. It’s the inner beauty of a heart that reflects God’s character and qualities.

In this instance, Peter is specifically referring to a gentle and quiet spirit belonging to a wife whose husband isn’t right with God. This gentleness and quietness (literally: stillness or peacefulness) comes from the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit who continually works to make us like Christ (Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 8:29).    

Despite her husband’s rebellion towards the things of God, there’s an inner beauty within his wife that he just can’t ignore or turn away from. It’s more attractive than anyone or anything he’s laid his eyes on. So attractive that it can accomplish what no outward beauty can—it can convict his heart and serve to draw him closer to the Lord.

Attraction to the right thing, the right kind of beauty, is a great thing. It can even change the course of one’s eternal destiny. Which is why this inner beauty, the beauty bestowed by God’s Spirit at work within us, must be prioritized over the outward beauty that often gets all the attention.

Whether you’re single or married, focus more on inner beauty than outer beauty... in your life as well as the lives of others. In doing so, you’ll value what’s valuable to God.

DIG: What two forms of beauty does Peter highlight?

DISCOVER: Why should our priority be on inner beauty?

DISPLAY: How are you cultivating inner beauty?