Being a Christian can be tough in the world we live in. So much of what is commonplace directly contradicts the word of the Lord. For instance, lying is no longer taboo in our societies. In fact, people are expected to use deception and lies to advance. As a result, many apply the 'fake it till you make it' approach, unaware that at its root is an intent to deceive, which God detests and punishes. There's also a push to look like celebrities at all times. This perspective goes beyond what many of us were raised with, which was to be appropriately dressed and presentable.
This can create pressure for believers. How should we dress? What should we do with our hair? How do we display our Kingdom Identity? There are many subtle and explicit rules within the Christian community, but also from the rest of the world that impact how we look when we walk out the door each day. Nevertheless, as with all things, it is crucial to return to the word of God for guidance because then, we can eliminate the confusion and the noise satan wants us saddled with. Scriptures, and the understanding of them, will never steer us wrong.
God made it clear that He does not rely on people's outer appearance to make determinations about them. He said this when speaking about one of David's brothers. 1 Samuel 16:7 - But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” This is an indication to all of us that we need to pay attention to beautifying our inner appearance - the part of us that God does focus on. That's where our true beauty lies.
It is this preoccupation with what we look like on the inside that Apostle Peter spoke on in 1 Peter 3:3-4 - Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. Although these verses were directed to the women in the church, they clearly apply to believing men as well. We all need to spend more time developing our inner selves so we are the sort of people who embody the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. A spirit filled with the peace Jesus gave in John 14:27, where He said, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
We often get so carried away with making sure that our outfits are impeccable, that we smell great, that we drive the right car, and live in the right zip code, while neglecting what our spirit needs to look like. External beauty is a gift from God and should not be condemned. God would not have created beautiful people and things if He did not like them. Plus, our bodies are the temple of God, and taking care of them is imperative. However, when the beautification and care of these bodies rise above our concern for the God who gave us those bodies, that is dangerous. Being so preoccupied by beauty and the trappings of beauty at the risk of our eternal souls is a problem many of us don't realize we're dealing with.
Look at it this way. How much time do you spend on your beauty routines and processes each day? Think about the time you spend improving your body, taking supplements, and more. How much time, effort, and money are you investing in looking good and presenting the best version of you to the world and to yourself? Does God get a similar amount of your focus? Do the godly things that will build up your spirit and edify your soul for your ultimate destination—heaven—receive equal attention? Again, this message is not just for Christian women but men as well. Jesus said in Matthew 6:21 - for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also (AMP). What do we treasure more - how people see us or how the Lord sees us?
Start giving God more of your time. Start being more intentional in applying the things He is teaching you through the Bible. Give more of your finances, forgiveness, love, support, testimony, and prayers to your fellow believers, your loved ones, and others. Please stop lying. Please stop meddling with occult practices. Please stop being argumentative and petty. Increasingly prioritize God's kingdom and righteousness, doing what is pleasing to Him, more so than what pleases people (Matthew 6:33). The Lord will help us focus on true beauty, which is unfading and brings a smile to God and brings His blessings down, IJMN, Amen.
I hope you will come back to worship and intercede in prayer on behalf of others. We gather for fellowship at Noon EST and you are welcome.
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Today's message makes it clear that we need to spend more time with God and His word if we want to avoid pagan behavior. To achieve this, we're going to need His Son, Jesus Christ, and He's the only way to truly access God Almighty.
To do this, we have to take an intentional step of giving our lives to Jesus. When we do this, we receive the Holy Spirit and gain direct access to the Lord.
If none of this makes much sense, and even if it does, please watch the short video below for more. It is under 8 minutes, and I truly believe it will help.
If you watched the video to the end and said the prayer at the end, then welcome to being a child of God! I pray you receive the Holy Spirit and are led in the ways of the Lord. Send me a message letting me know you said the prayer. I'll send you more materials so you can grow as a new creature (but only if you like)!
Regardless, please make prayer a regular part of your life. It is simply you talking to the Lord. Also, please start reading the Bible and ask God to make it come alive for you. It holds all the answers you need. You can start by reading the Epistle of John, the Book of Acts, and the Book of Romans. Get water baptized as quickly as you can and ask God to lead you to a church of His choosing.
Congrats and God bless you!