What other Scriptures highlight the importance of inner beauty over external? The Hidden Person of the Heart – 1 Peter 3:4 “but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.” Old Testament: God’s Consistent Priority • 1 Samuel 16:7 – “For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.” • Proverbs 31:30 – “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” • Proverbs 11:22 – “As a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.” Wisdom Poetry: External Fades, Inner Worth Endures • Psalm 51:6 – “Surely You desire truth in the inmost being.” • Proverbs 4:23 – “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.” The Words of Jesus • Matthew 5:8 – “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” • Matthew 23:25-26 & 28 – “You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence… So you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” Paul’s Letters: Cultivating the Inner Life • 2 Corinthians 4:16 – “Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.” • Ephesians 3:16 – “I pray that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being.” • Colossians 3:12-14 – “Clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience… Above all these, put on love.” • 1 Timothy 2:9-10 – “I want the women to adorn themselves… with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.” Prophetic Pictures of God-Given Beauty • Isaiah 61:10 – “He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness.” • Zechariah 9:16-17 – “How lovely and beautiful they will be! Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine the young women.” Putting It Together • Scripture consistently points from the visible to the invisible, urging a heart shaped by reverence, gentleness, and love. • External appearance may attract for a moment; inner beauty, formed by the Spirit through obedience to God’s Word, delights Him forever. |
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