Beauty
Our culture’s emphasis upon sexuality has unleashed many disturbing trends. One of those is an over-emphasis upon beauty. Ask many young people today what qualities they seek in a man or woman and it often involves specific, physical qualities rather than interior, spiritual assets. Some of these folks may have opportunities with good, wholesome mates but they’d rather trade in some of those positive characteristics for an upgrade n physical looks.
A good preacher friend of mine once told me, “You know, men often want somebody who is tall, thin and blonde and they’d be better off with a short, plump brunette.”
A couple months after he told me that, one of our members pulled me aside after a sermon and said, “Josh, have you ever noticed what is NOT said about the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31?”
I said, “No, what’s that?”
He replied, “There’s never any indication she was virtuous because of her beauty.”
I thought that was a great point. In fact, the very opposite is said of beauty within the famous Proverbs 31 passage. Verse 30 says, “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is passing; but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”
Beauty is only “temporary.” Of course, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with a naturally, beautiful person. However, there is something wrong when we believe beauty is a virtue we should seek (see also Proverbs 11:22)!
The man or woman who marries for the dominating reason of beauty will often leave for the same reasons. It is a foolhardy way to build a marriage.
There are greater virtues that will build a strong marriage listed in Proverbs 31. Those traits include trustworthiness (v. 11), loyalty (v. 12), a provider (v. 13-14), sacrificial (v. 15), financial wisdom (v. 16), solid work ethic (v. 17-19), merciful to the poor, needy and her children (v. 20-21), thrifty (v. 22), a blessing to her spouse (v. 23), profitable (v. 24), honorable (v. 25), wise and kind (v. 26), busy in good deeds (v. 27), praised by others (v. 28), respecting the Lord (v. 30).
Nope, beauty is never mentioned.
Think about it.
August 2008