Appearance

Appearance matters… or does it? In our world, fashion and cosmetics are giant industries. Fitness gyms are widespread. Weight loss books, pills and diets are so popular that fad diets become household words. Magazines airbrush for perfection and TV personalities extensively primp before going on air. Before we go out to that important job interview, or on that special date, we double check the mirrors to make sure we’re presentable.

But why do we do this? Why is appearance so important to our society? Maybe the driving factor is the pursuit of good health and hygiene. Or maybe it is so tied to our self-esteem that it becomes our sense of self-worth. Maybe it’s driven by pure vanity or self-consciousness. Or perhaps lust is at the root and we go with the popular demand to fulfill that urge. Insecurity and the fear of rejection could even be at the core of our motives.

People crave acceptance and love. We go to great lengths to get it in our world. Society and sin drive most of the reasons listed above. All this is off the mark in God’s economy. The following verse shows God’s perspective:

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.” 1 Samuel 16:7

God created our bodies. We must ask ourselves why we want to change what He created. If we struggle with gluttony, then we must first take this to God in prayer for His guidance, strength, and power to overcome.

Once we get that under control, we may need to go to Him in prayer about vanity or any of the many other reasons appearance is so important to us. If we open up to God and give Him the real raw reasons, He will shine His light upon us, remove the dark thoughts, and speak truth into our hearts.

Our society bends and warps the truth. If we buy into it, then we’ll get into that never-ending cycle of chasing the things of this world and finding emptiness on the other side. We’ll be so worried about what everyone else thinks instead of what God thinks. We need to ask ourselves a tough question. Who is on the throne of our lives?

Good hygiene, exercise, and healthy eating is a positive thing for the temple of the Holy Spirit. But when it becomes an obsession, then we need to re-evaluate our motives.

Our eyes need to be on Jesus in order to know the actual truth about all things. He will give clarity and positive direction and will remove these toxic complexes and mindsets from us. God looks at our hearts because that reveals who we truly are.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:3-4

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8

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