Paul says in 1 Tim. 2:9-10, "I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God."
Modesty, that is something our culture is loosing a concept of rapidly.
The focus in our culture is very much on the outward appearance.
I once heard in a sermon that it would be much better for a woman to spend an hour with God in the morning then an hour on her hair. :)
God desires that our hearts be beautiful.
You all know people that are outwardly beautiful but their heart is black, making them therefore not attractive at all.
"Expensive clothes" is certainly a part of our culture. Shop till you drop right? But what does God say about material things?
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world."
When we go shopping does that mean we love the world? "All is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. I will be mastered by anything."
The question lies in if it masters you, if you let the love for things master you.
One of my favorite movies is "Confessions of a Shopoholic." It is quite funny, because I can so identify with Ms. Bloomwood, the girl in the green scarf. We think buying something will make us feel more important.
The root of shopping and buying is that we do not already feel whole or lovable, is it not?
And why do women dress a certain way to attract attention? Is it not because they fear that is the only way they will attract attention?
How much more beneficial is it for us as women to have a beautiful soul?
I love a pop song that was on the radio a lot when I was in high school. It said, "I don't want another pretty face. I don't want just anyone to hold. I don't want my love to go to waste. I want you and your beautiful soul."
Oh to have a beautiful soul. That should be our highest aim as women. Not to have the cutest shoes or the latest outfits. If we are bitter and insecure on the inside it will not matter what our outside looks like.
I was listening to a podcast last night and the man was talking about beautiful women and insecurity. He said, "The problem is they are insecure because they are beautiful, because they then think the guy is only with them for their looks." That is so true.
But beauty does not last. One of my favorite verses regarding this is, "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a women who fears the Lord is to be praised."
Charm is incredibly deceptive. Deception is of Satan, for he is the father of lies. Charm is when people are fake or put up appearances for a time but it eventually wears off and their true colors come out. Charm is not to be desired. Charm is fickle.
Like a wolf in sheepskin, some people hide behind an outwardly beautiful or handsome appearance.
The outer mask does not mean anything if the inside is not also beautiful.
May God cause us all to have more beautiful hearts and souls! Amen :)
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