If you are a young person, how should you feel about the way you look? How should you view beauty? How does God view caring for our appearance? To some, looking good becomes a competition. If someone is “beautiful,” they are assumed to have it made.
God appreciates beauty! In fact, He described Old Testament Israel as a young lady, dressed up and beautiful (Ezekiel 16:12–15). But, instead of trusting in God, Israel trusted in herself—in her own “beauty” (v. 15). What is the lesson? God does not condemn good looks, or trying to have good looks—He just does not want you to focus on it so much that your whole being and confidence is wrapped up in your looks or physique. God said your body is temporary—and your looks are temporary—so it is best not to worry overly much about it (Proverbs 20:29, 31:30).
Caring for our appearance is not wrong, but the real emphasis we should make is on developing a relationship with God—the adorning of the “hidden person of the heart” (1 Peter 3:4). What are some secrets to real beauty—outside and in, physically and spiritually?
What is one of the first things people see when they look at your face? Is it a frown, a scowl, a tired look? Or is it a cheerful, happy, radiant expression? It has been said that one of the easiest ways to improve your appearance is to just smile! But where does a happy, cheerful look come from? Obviously, it comes from a happy, cheerful outlook and attitude of heart. What you wear on your face is a direct result of what you think in your heart. Proverbs 23:7 says: “…For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Matthew 12:34 says, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” In other words, it is a natural law that what people read on your face is a direct consequence of the condition of your heart. You are going to look your best if you have a smile on your face—and that comes from an attitude of heart.
God gave ancient Israel laws of hygiene, and instructed them on how to care for their living quarters, and their selves. That is another simple way to improve your looks—start making a habit of cleanliness of dress, and good hygiene. But is physical cleanliness all God is concerned about? God says to cultivate spiritual cleanliness. Using filthy language, or engaging in corrupt habits like cigarettes and drugs only detracts from a person’s attractiveness—it does not impress others at all. Do you keep your mind clean from wrong thoughts, lustful attitudes and corrupting influences? God says, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. Your word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:9–11). “Good, clean living,” both physical and spiritual, is a key to becoming a more beautiful person.
Another way to improve your looks is to simply eat nutritious foods, get enough sleep, and get regular exercise. You will look better, and more importantly, you will feel better about your appearance. Bodily exercise profits—a little, or a little while (1 Timothy 4:8). But spiritual exercise has eternal results. Are you exercising your mind, to learn to discern the good from the bad? If you drink in all the world has to offer, you will be taking in a lot of poison. We need to be reading God’s Word—and exercising our mind and character by applying what we read—to be a spiritually fit and beautiful person, inside and out. “But solid food belongs to those of full age, that is those who have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14).
How well do you take care of your clothes? Do you always try to look your best? You do not need a big budget to take care of what you have, and your clothes do not always have to be new. As the youngest in my family, I got used to “hand-me-downs”—very rarely was I the first to wear them! But, did you know that you can get spiritual garments, custom made just for you? Not passed down, not “one size fits all”—these are individually tailored just for you, by God! “And to her (the Church) it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints” (Revelation 19:8). On top of that, God says your “spiritual shoes” are your involvement in the Work (Ephesians 6:15), even as a young person.
Of course, God wants you to take care of your appearance. But He is looking for young men and women who are not obsessed by their physical looks. God is looking for future leaders in Tomorrow’s World. Those leaders will be developing lasting, inner beauty by monitoring their attitude, maintaining purity of mind, exercising righteousness, and getting involved in the Work!