Proverbs 31:30, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
I wonder what kind of ladies would be on the cover of magazines if the criteria was to be “God-fearing?” What kind of outfits would these women wear and would people still buy Maxim, Vogue and Playboy if all they pictured was God-fearing women dressed in modesty?
Charm and beauty is not what matters most- it is a woman who fears the Lord! Charm and beauty refer to a pleasant personality and attractive physical appearance. Augustine said, “Beauty is indeed a good gift of God; but that the good may not think it a great good, God dispenses it even to the wicked.” Though there is nothing wrong with beauty or charm, these things are only temporary and should not be valued above godly character. To fear the Lord is to live a life of honor by obeying all God’s commands. Too often we wrongly judge people, especially women, by their outside appearance and flattering words and not by whether or not they fear God.
Some of the most beautiful people on the outside are really moral monsters on the inside.
Mainstream media for the most part is based on selling the lie of “charm and beauty.” Sadly, even for Christians, ungodly beautiful and charming celebrities are influencing the way we see praiseworthy things in our generation and that shouldn’t be the case. The Word of God should be our standard of beauty and success.
Take for example, a charming talk show host who gives advice about marriage to millions of people despite being an unmarried fornicator; the media will promote her and ignore a woman of God, with over thirty years of marriage experience because she isn’t as outwardly appealing or “nice.” Or consider a young singer that uses her beauty to seduce tens of millions of people with her songs of perversion, while a young lady gets laughed at in her high school because she’s a virgin that sings in her youth group- God have mercy!
King Solomon in today’s proverb challenges everyone, especially women, to be what really matters in life- God fearing. Don’t let this world deceive you- charm and beauty is fleeting, but those who fear the Lord will be praised!
Reflection
Do you value keeping God’s commands over charm and beauty?
Action
- Ask God to expose any vanity you may have in your heart.
- Guard your heart and eyes from the lust of the flesh.
- Live a God-fearing life.
One Year Reading Plan
2 Samuel 17:1-29, John 19:23-42, Psalm 119:129-152, & Proverbs 16:12-13. Click here to read online.
