A few weeks ago, our church here in BKK had a weekend church camp, where both Christians and non-Christians came together to learn more about God. It was an honor to be able to lead a breakout session for several of the women who attended the camp and chose to learn how God changes us as women. God used my friend, Priscilla, and I to share with these women about how God changes our heart from the inside out to become more Godly.
I wanted to share with you what was shared with the woman at camp. Priscilla shared about what the world calls us to be like. She shared that the world wants us to look and dress a certain way in order to be accepted and beautiful. She shared how the world defines us as a woman.
BUT when we looked further into what Psalms 31:30 says, “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” we see a different picture. Charm, or being pleasing to the eye, is deceiving because it not what is truly on the inside-it is not what is in our hearts-and, therefore, it is not what is important.
How would you describe charm?
Proverbs 31 tells us a Godly woman is trustworthy, hardworking, generous, speaks with wisdom, teaches others, thoughtful, strong, wise and she fears the Lord. The opposite of these things is charm. When I think about charm, I think deceitful, taking the easy way out, lying, trouble, and weak. None of these describe a Godly woman anywhere in the Bible. The opposite of deceit or charm is someone who fears the Lord.
Also in this verse, it states “beauty is vain” or worthless and empty. This is completely contrary to what we hear from culture today, isn’t it? However, God tells us beauty is worthless! It is worthless because it is ever-changing and always evolving. What is considered beauty today could be over tomorrow. Beauty fades with age, but what is in our hearts lasts forever! True beauty is in our hearts! A woman who believes in the Gospel is beautiful no matter what she looks like on the outside because what is on the inside permeates to the outside.
Psalm 139:13-14 says, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” The Bible says we are fearfully, or carefully made by God. Even before our mother ever knows she is pregnant, God cares for for us. I am fearfully set apart by God. God has given those that are His children His special love. Shouldn’t we fearfully or carefully love the Lord in return? If someone loves us, don’t we naturally love them in return? Yes. If someone loves us, we naturally love them in return because being loved feels good.
Sisters loved by God, don’t be fooled by what culture tries to tell you about beauty. Seek the truth in the Bible that the God, who created you, created you exactly the way you are and in HIS image! Don’t be deceived by charm or outward beauty, but search your heart and work to be the women God calls us to be!
Follow the Dyers 