True Beauty

On one occasion, a pastor preached a convicting sermon on pride. Afterwards, a woman was troubled and wanted to talk to the pastor.

She said, “Pastor, I’ve committed great sin.”

“What sin could that be,” the pastor asked?

“The sin of pride,” she replied. “I sat in front of my mirror this morning for a whole hour, admiring my beauty.”

The pastor said back to the woman, “Oh, my dear sister, that was not a sin of pride, but a sin of dishonesty, because you were lying to yourself.”

Now, I’m not saying that the woman was ugly. However, this woman was lying to herself in thinking that her true beauty was in her outward appearance.

What is true beauty?

Women should order themselves with “proper clothing” (1 Timothy 2:9a).

Generally speaking, women should order their appearance “modestly and discreetly” ().

Modesty means hiding self.

Discreet means holding every aspect of the life and character under the command of God.

But more specifically, true beauty is not found in external fashion, but in expression of faith ().

Instead of desiring to be seen, women should desire to be servants.

Paul uses elaborate hairstyles, jewelry, and expensive clothing to summarize whatever a women might wear that reflects the world’s values instead of God’s values.

The practice of wearing jewelry originated back when precious stones and metals were used as currency. People would literally “wear their wealth.”

Eleazar paid Rebekah with jewelry for watering his camels ().

Worldly rulers often gave jewelry as a sign of status or royal position (; ; ).

Jewelry is even used as a symbol of what God does for us in salvation (; cf. ).

But, the command to the Christian is to not decorated the outward appearance with jewelry.

Furthermore, God’s command for His people to remove all jewelry is especially emphasized during times of judgment.

In a time of crisis, when Jacob’s family moved and re-committed themselves to God, they removed their jewelry ().

God commanded the Israelites to remove their jewelry after their apostasy with the golden calf ().

Day of Atonement.

Jezebel showed her disrespect for God and His judgments by decorating herself before Jehu executed God’s judgment on her ().

The High Priest of Israel did not wear his jewels on the Day of Atonement, but a simple linen garment (, ).

We are living in the hour of God’s judgment, the true Day of Atonement: “and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.”” (, NASB95)

Instead, Paul says that women should wear “good works.” Clothing is often used as a metaphor for the transformation from the old life of sin to new life in Jesus Christ:

““I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban.” (, NASB95)

““I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban.” (, NASB95)

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” (, NASB95)

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” (, NASB95)

“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (, NASB95)

“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (, NASB95)

“and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” (, NASB95)

“and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” (, NASB95)

“Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— a renewal in which... Christ is all, and in all. So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;” (, NASB95)

“Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;” (, NASB95)

Instead of desiring to be seen by people, women should desire to be servants of God.

This is “proper” or “fitting” for women professing godliness. Do your clothes fit? Does your outward appearance accurately resemble what you say you believe?

Instead of desiring to be seen, women should desire to be servants.

The Bible is clear that character beauty is to be valued above outward beauty:

“Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.” (, NASB95)

“Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands;” (, NASB95)

Jesus Christ cannot just decorate our lives like a piece of jewelry. Jesus must be worn like a robe that covers our entire life.

True beauty comes from forsaking this world.

True beauty is a matter of true worship.

True beauty is a matter of self-worth.