Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Inner Beauty

16 The LORD says, “The women of Zion are haughty, 
walking along with outstretched necks, 
   flirting with their eyes, 
strutting along with swaying hips, 
   with ornaments jingling on their ankles. 17 Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion; 
   the LORD will make their scalps bald.” 
18 In that day the Lord will snatch away their finery: the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces, 19 the earrings and bracelets and veils, 20 the headdresses and anklets and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms, 21 the signet rings and nose rings, 22 the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses 23 and mirrors, and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls." Isaiah 3:16-22
Wow! These scriptures talk about “haughty” women that adorn themselves with purses, jewelery and they strut their stuff! They are all about themselves. It was the downfall of Israel and Jerusalem. It is no different today, when we see the media glorify the “rich and famous” with their fashions and beauty. They are held up as idols to us and the media stresses that we are to strive to be like them. We are to strive to be beautiful, skinny, popular and dressed with the latest of fashion. But God’s Word speaks of the inner beauty of a woman. It is not about the outward appearances but the inner beauty that God is pleased with. In the Last Days, God is also looking at those inner qualities in His people. He is not pleased with all the adornments and focus on the outside package. God is pleased with our hearts. I know that I am to focus on the inside cultivation of God’s spiritual fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self control) and not focus on the outside qualities of the world. Let’s not get caught up with the latest of fashion, wanting the best brands and begin to shift our focus to inward qualities than outward.
Question: Do you measure your worth by your outside appearance?How do you measure up with Gods Word and His standards?

1 comment:

newbeginings said...

hey - this is nice amen and all but I believe you can still take care of yourslef and wear: earings, purses, ect. I believe God is against the haughty attitude that these "women" have.