Text: 1 Peter 3:3-5

God's definition of beauty is completely different from humans definition. Men say, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. This concentrates only on external appearance. But while men look on the outward, God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

What then is beauty?

According to the Oxford mini dictionary, beauty is the property, quality or state of being "that which pleases merely by being perceived" (Aquinas); that which is attractive, pleasing, fine or good looking; comeliness.

The world's definition of beauty depends on the outward appearance like the clothes you wear, shoes you put on, your hairstyle, your perfume, your jewelries, hand bags etc.

What then is God's definition of beauty?

1 Peter 3:3-4"
(3)ESV:Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear.
(4) ESV:But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."

Beauty, for a genuine daughter of God, should depends on how God sees it and not as man see it.

No matter how beautiful or attractive you may look on the outward, God will not be attracted to you if your inner man is rotten and spoilt!

There is nothing wrong in looking beautiful by wearing good clothes, ear ring, jewelry and other accessories like beads or hand and neck chain but the motive, intention and purpose is what really matters.

Are you wearing them to cover unclothedness or to 'slay' and seduce?

Do not think that dressing shabby and unattractive will automatically makes you holy before God.

Do not think that dressing sophisticatedly, so much that there is no difference between you and an unbeliever will make you holy before God.

Outward beauty is temporary and it fades but inner beauty is eternal and it never fades!

What then is beyond beauty?

To be beyond beautiful is not only seen with the naked eyes but also perceived in the heart.

To be beyond beautiful is possessing some attributes that pleases God.

Beyond Beauty Ornaments

Beyond beauty ornaments are attributes and characteristics that distinguishes you from an unbeliever. These are not ornaments of silver, gold or diamond, but much more valuable and precious in God's sight.

These ornaments includes the following;

1. A gentle, meek and submissive heart.

Some may take meekness for weakness, but it is not. One of the ornaments you must put on to look beautiful inward and before God is meekness, gentleness and submissiveness.

Examples of women that wore this ornaments is Sarah and Rebecca.

Sarah was submissive to the extent she called her husband master.

Rebecca was meek and gentle to the extent she fetched thousands of gallons of water for strangers.

2. A quiet spirit.

This is another ornament God wants us to cultivate.

A quiet person is peaceful and minds his/her own business without gossiping and backbiting.

Hannah is a classic example here.

Even when she was barren and her husband married a second wife, she did not pray for God to kill the second wife, rather she prayed for her own child.

Even when the prophet insulted and accused her of been drunk with wine, she replied in a quite and peaceful manner.

What a woman with a quiet spirit!


3. A holy life.

There is so much beauty in Holiness (1 chronicles 16:29)

Holiness is the external manifestations of an internal beauty, purity and loyalty to the Lord.

Deborah is a good example here. While almost everyone had backslidden, she choose to remain on the highway of holiness and through her, God used her powerfully and mightily to conquer kingdoms and nations.

When you are holy as a sister, you become a great, valuable and mighty instrument in the hands of God.

If you fail or refuse to put on all or any of the beauty ornaments listed above, as far as God is concerned, you are not beautiful!


Conclusion /Last Words

Romans 12:2"ESV:Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

From the Bible reference above, we have been admonished and advised not to conform to this world but rather, we should be transformed by daily renewing our mind with the word of God for this only what is pleasing, perfect and acceptable by God.

So therefore, from henceforth, let your beauty be pleasing and acceptable to God and harmless to men!

May God help us to be beautiful inwardly in Jesus name (AMEN).

Source: http://www.thebelievershub.com/2018/07/beyond-beauty.html

cc; lalasticlala