Are you Beautiful? Post 2

Ok, now back to the original topic: beauty.  The Bible says in...

Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a women who fears the Lord is to be praised.

1 Peter 3:3-4
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.  Instead, 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.

So you're asking yourself "ok, if my beauty is supposed to come from the inside, then what do I wear on the outside?"  Well, I wouldn't suggest what the women of Zion were wearing and how they were acting.  It first lists what the women were wearing and how they were acting, then the consequences because of that:

Isaiah 3:16-26
The Lord says, "The women of Zion are haughty, walking along with outstretched necks, flirting with their eyes, tripping along with mincing steps, with ornaments jingling on their ankles.  Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion; the Lord will make their scalps bald."  In that day the Lord will snatch away their finery: the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces, the earrings and bracelets and veils, the headdresses and ankle chains and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms, the signet rings and nose rings, the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses and mirrors, and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls.  Instead of fragrance, there will be a stench; instead of a sash, a rope; instead of well-dressed hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, branding.  Your men will fall by the sword, your warriors in battle.  The gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground.

Wow!  Even the men suffered for what the women did.


Well, you might be asking "that shows me what 'not' to wear, so what 'can' I wear?"  Well, I'll ask you two questions then give you another test and then see if you can answer that question for yourself.

Question 1 - What if you walked into a room full of people dressed in something that you would normally wear, what would their first thought be?


*what a lovely, modest girl!


*how sad, she must not have any self respect for herself.


*is that a boy or girl?


*she must be carrying a wilted spirit.


*she must be insecure.

Question 2 - Ask some of your Christian friends to honestly describe you with one or two words, what would they say?  Do you want to be known as that?

And now for the test:

1. When some of your friends decide they want to hang out doing a certain thing that you'd rather not do, do you:


A. Distance yourself and hold a grudge.
B. Keep talking to try to overpower the majority and get your way.
C. Listen to everyone's feelings and try to bring about a happy compromise.


2. When you've just gotten another long writing assignment from your lit teacher, do you:


A. Refuse to do it because she's assigned way to much this quarter.
B. Do it but bad-mouth the teacher to your parents and friends.
C. Do it- she's your teacher and you're called to respect her.


3. When your mom asks you to take out the trash just as you sit down for the first all day, do you:


A. Throw a royal fit.
B. Grumble under your breath and do it....grumpily.
C. Do it with all your heart to please your mom.


4. When your little brother wants the same computer you had planned to use to IM your best friend, do you:


A. Tease him the whole time you use it.
B. Tell him what you think he should be doing.
C. Let him go first.


5. When you think someone has made a mistake, do you:


A. Want to be the first to correct it.
B. Try to take over because you can lead better.
C. Try to cover it up until you can mention it quietly to the person.


6. Do you go to church because:


A. You have to, but you hate it.
B. You have good friends there, and it's a great social outlet.
C. You love God and want to be in His house.

[ok, score it.]

Were you mostly A's? 

You are wearing the wrong stuff, friend!

Were you mostly B's?

You should try harder to wear better stuff inside.

Were you mostly C's?

Great!  Keep up the good work!  

Questions and test quoted from Dannah Gresh series "Secret Keeper".

Be on the look out for Are you beautiful? Post 3