ELDER: God Can Make Us Inwardly Beautiful

On my regular commute to our church building, I pass several houses that are currently up for sale. I have noticed the typical real estate signs next to the road at those locations, often including a picture and contact information for the agent involved. Recently I spotted a secondary marker that was added in front of one of those homes. It reads, “I’m gorgeous inside.” Obviously, this statement is meant to be from the perspective of the house, declaring to any prospective buyers that not only does it look nice on the outside but that its unseen interior is also beautiful. However, I could see how someone at first glance might misinterpret this as a rather egotistical statement being made by the real estate agent whose picture was right next to it.

Some people do think rather highly of themselves, often in connection with their outward appearance. They post their selfies on social media either suggesting or seeking the suggestions of their friends that they are beautiful, or handsome, or cool, or whatever look they are trying to achieve. They might as well post a sign next to their picture saying, “I’m gorgeous!” However, that real estate sign should remind us of a more important question. No matter how we look outwardly, what are we like on the inside? Do we have a beautiful spirit and a good heart? Are we gorgeous on the inside?

Peter specifically reminded wives of this truth, although the principle applies equally to all of us. “Do not let your adornment be merely outward – arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel – rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God” (I Peter 3:3-4). This statement doesn’t forbid us from trying to make ourselves look nice outwardly. It simply reminds us of what is more important and what God values most. He is more concerned about the type of person we are on the inside. That should be our priority too.

You may recall the account in the Bible when God directed Samuel to choose a new king for Israel from among the sons of Jesse. When the first of his sons was presented to the prophet, Samuel’s initial reaction based on the candidate’s physical appearance was that certainly this must be God’s chosen one. That is when God reminded His servant, “Do not look at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (I Samuel 16:7). Although we get glimpses into the hearts of others, we can’t see what is on the inside of people as God can. Therefore we have to be careful about judging them. But we can look into our own hearts. What does God see when He peers into our thoughts, attitudes, spirit and motives? Is it gorgeous and pleasing to Him? Or is it an ugly mess?

We are all too aware of the bad attitudes, evil thoughts and selfishness that can spring up within us. If we thought we were gorgeous on the inside and posted it for others to see, that would probably be a sign that we aren’t. Nevertheless, beginning with the new heart we can receive through faith in Jesus, He can clean up our thought life. He can give us a more Christlike attitude. He can purify our motives so that we are seeking His will and His glory rather than our own. Let’s yield ourselves to Him, letting Him make us the beautiful people on the inside that He knows we can be.