The Christian Woman's Unbiblical Teaching on Beauty

A common trend I have noticed in the christian blog world is that a christian woman MUST look great or else it's bad testimony. Some of the ways they imply looking great are doing your makeup, doing your nails, doing your hair in fabulous dos, or wearing trendy clothes. Personally, this teaching annoys me. It's unbiblical. Please show me Scripture that says we MUST look great? On second thought, let me show you what Scripture says about beauty

 

"Likewise, ye wives, be in sujection to your own husbands; that if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by conversation of the wives: While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear: Whose adorning let it NOT be that OUTWARD ADORNING of PLAITING THE HAIR, AND OF WEARING OF GOLD, OR PUTTING ON APPAREL; but LET IT BE the hidden man of THE HEART, in that which is not corruptible, EVEN THE ORNAMENT OF A MEEK AND QUIET SPIRIT, which is in the SIGHT OF GOD OF GREAT PRICE. For after this manner, in the old time, the HOLY WOMEN also, who trusted in God, ADORNED THEMSELVES, being in submission unto their own husbands. Even as Sa'ra, obeyed A'bra-ham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement."

1 Peter 3:1-6

 

Hhhmm....I didn't see anything about putting on makeup or having fancy hair dos or wearing trendy clothes being a bad witness to Christ. Actually, on the other hand Scripture reveals that the inner beauty is an AMAZING testimony of Christ. So amazing that if your husband doesn't belive in God it is possible that he could be won over by your inner beauty, your love for Christ.

 

Lets look at one more Scripture (you probably know which one I'm going to quote)

 

"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety: not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array: But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works."

1 Timothy 2:9,10

 

Once again, I didn't see where it's a "must" for a woman to wear makeup or to do her hair in a fancy do or wear trendy clothes. In fact, once again, Scripture reveals that the inner is more beautiful.

 

Let me be clear with my dear sisters: STOP PLACING A HUGE EMPHASIS ON YOUR OUTSIDE! PLACE THAT HUGE EMPHASIS ON YOUR INSIDE. YOUR OUTSIDE WILL FADE. YOU CAN'T GET AWAY FROM THAT. YOUR INSIDE GETS MORE BEAUTIFUL WITH TIME.

 

I've said it numerous times before (maybe not on my blog) and I'll say it again I want to be beautiful like Jesus. Not like other christian women. Not like the world. But like Jesus.

 

My point with this post is that I find that unbiblical teaching damaging. Really it is. What if your sister in Christ can't afford the nicest clothes? Well great now she's off to sin as she sits in a pool of self pity coveting your clothes. That's horrible and you should be ashamed of yourselves for making her feel that way. My dear sister if this is you listen to me, the Lord says coveting is a sin (Exodus) repent of that and then stop listening to their lies. Yes they are our sisters but just like us they sin too. If you are following a blog that teaches this unbiblical teaching then stop. Lest you get caught up with the outward adorning and forget the inward adorning. Be content with the clothes God has given you (modest because that is His command) and show Him to the world with what you have.

 

Moving on, what if your dear sister can't afford makeup (because we know that isn't cheap) or what if she chooses not to wear it because makeup is bad for your skin? Great, now she's feeling like the way God made her isn't pretty enough. Tsk tsk tsk. God makes no mistakes. Yes we live in a fallen world and there are things that altar our outward apparence (such as scars, acne, etc.) but that doesn't change the fact that God makes no mistakes. You are beautiful the way God made you.

 

One more thing, God isn't pleased by your hair do, your nail color, your clothes (modest), or even if your socks match. What He is pleased with is a pure heart that is willing to serve Him even if that means having only one skirt to wear the whole year or running barefoot because you gave your shoes up.

 

I'm off my soap box. I want to end this with, having nice clothes, a fancy up do, or even matching socks is not a bad thing in and of itself. However, when you make this a priority that EVERY christian woman must do it then becomes a bad thing. That's unbiblical and adding to God's Word which is a sin { In order for it to be must for every woman it would have to be in God's Word, where do we find that at? } Personally, I wear makeup and I think I have an alright collection of clothes and sometimes my socks match but I would NEVER tell another christian woman, who might not be as blessed financially as I am, that she is giving a bad testimony by her dress. That's wrong and unbiblical. Remember what Scripture says? How about you read 1 Peter 3:1-6 and 1 Timothy 2: 9,10 one more time. Repent if you need to.

 

Much love in Christ <3