My work gym was opened about seven years
ago, and I began training immediately. Aerobics, body pump and weight lifting were
done most days of the week, and I also did uphill walking and running for
increased cardio fitness. Yoga came along, and I became a practitioner of that
as well.
With all this physical activity, I soon
realized that my time with God in devotions grew shorter and shorter. Added to
that, I had to get up so early to train, that my time spent in Bible study was
also reduced. My prayer life suffered as a result.
Should I stop exercising? Is beautifying
the inside alone all I should care about? Should I stop trying to look good on
the outside?
Interestingly enough, for a group class
collaboration I teamed up with a make-up artist and an athlete. Our alliance
caused me to look at the physical side of beauty and strength, and the inner
man empowered by spirituality. What a mind-blowing experience it was, as it
engendered a more rounded approach to my Christian walk.
I searched the Bible for answers as to
what was more important: my outward appearance or my inner heart. What does the
Scriptures have to say about physical beauty?
1Timothy 4:8 tells us:
Bodily exercised profits little, but
godliness is profitable for the life that now is and the life that is to come.
It does not say physical exercise is not
profitable, but reminds us that its profit is only for this life. This
demonstrates that my emphasis on it should be with the understanding that it’s not
an investment in eternity.
Proverbs 31:30 imparts:
Charm is
deceptive, and beauty is fleeting...
We are
not told that beautifying oneself is wrong, but we are cautioned that our
emphasis cannot be at the expense of character, because physical beauty will
not last.
Esther in
the Bible was described as “fair and beautiful” (Esther 2:7b). Before she could
be brought before the king she was prescribed a beauty regimen that lasted all
of 12 months: six months with oil of myrrh, six months of perfuming and other
beauty treatments (Esther 2:12).
The Bible
records that the king loved her above all the other women and made her queen.
But Esther’s physical beauty was matched by her character, which made her even
more attractive, and God used her greatly to save his people.
So again we see that there’s nothing
wrong with embellishing ourselves to be better looking.
Solomon spoke of the fragrance of his
beloved and her “dove eyes”. All this spoke of appeal. (Songs of Sol. 1) He
described his love’s cheekbones as “comely” and her neck decorated with
jewellery. He told of her lovely hair, even teeth, red luscious lips and the
shape of her head and neckline. He even spoke pleasurably of her firm breasts.
(Song of Sol. 4)
All these physical characteristics can
be achieved and enhanced by exercise, especially strength training. Not to
mention the fact that facial makeup can add touches to the entire body package.
In Daniel 1, three Jews who were set
apart to work directly in the king’s palace chose to engage in a vegetarian
diet for a specific period of time, as opposed to consuming the king’s lavish
dietary offerings. At the end of three years, they appeared to be in better
health than their counterparts who ate everything that was given to them.
Just as eating the right foods will keep
us healthy and strong, studying the Bible will nourish our hearts.
The Bible does not condemn augmenting external
beauty, but cautions us that inner beauty should be our main desire. Jesus
described the Pharisees as “white-washed tombs”, showing purity on the outside
that is not there on the inside. While inward godliness can be reflected on the
outside, no amount of makeup can hide a devious, wicked heart.
To see my makeup transformation, click on link below.
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