Lakeside Baptist Church

FROM THE PASTOR

October 15, 2017

I was looking at Fox News on my iPhone the other day. At the bottom of their home screen Fox has a section with various nonsense that is often comical to read. One of the news clips hi-lited photos of celebrities going out into public without makeup. (Now you see why I consider the articles ‘nonsense’.) But the headline did get me thinking about how men and women try so desperately to alter our appearance for appearance's sake only.

According to Business Wire in 2014 the cosmetics industry reached $460 billion. By 2020 they estimate it will reach $675 billion. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons there are 15.9 million cosmetic surgeries a year in the United States. Mankind’s dissatisfaction with ‘the way we look’ has reached such an epidemic proportion that Consumer’s Affairs writes that in the United Kingdom…

“Girls as young as 5 now worry about their weight and appearance while more than half the entire UK population grapples with mental and physical problems related to body image…”

We lift, tuck, peel, relocate, suck out, enhance, implant, inject ourselves with botulinum toxin, radically diet, and cover ourselves with all sorts of goo, paints and chemicals because we’re not satisfied with our image. And NO, I am not speaking of health-related or necessary procedures. I am speaking of solely image procedures. Given that, I decided to look and see what God’s Word tells us about our image. While I did find other verses, here is the one that jumped out at me…

Yes, I understand the context of these verses is Peter addressing Christian women. I also understand this is one of those misunderstood verses in God’s Word, often used to the extreme since the focus remains on verse 3 and the DON’TS. Yet, never forget, Solomon’s bride was beautifully adorned (Song of Solomon 1:10, 4:11, 7:1). So being beautiful is not the issue. The issue is the preoccupation with appearance over spiritual responsibility. And that preoccupation is no longer just female focused. That’s why I believe verse 3 cannot be the singular focus or separated from verse 4. Given today’s general preoccupation with appearance, even among Christians, this verse has application to both genders.

There are a multitude of reasons why we become dissatisfied with our appearance. I couldn’t find a survey but would guess the number one reason would be mankind’s desire for recognition (pride). A 2013 article in Business Insider attempted to give credence to this by identifying “8 scientifically proven reasons why life is better if you are beautiful”. They listed them as…

1. Beautiful people are viewed as healthier
2. Beautiful people are healthier
3. It’s easier for beautiful people to find mates
4. Beautiful people are more intelligent
5. Beautiful people are more persuasive
6. Companies with beautiful executives have higher sales
7. Beautiful people have an advantage in politics
8. Beautiful people are perceived as more likeable and trustworthy.

The article went on to say, “Beauty is not subjective. Contrary to popular belief men and women generally agree on who is and who is not attractive, even across cultures.”

I say, “Hog-wash” (I believe that’s straight out of the original Greek, by the way). The unabashed facts unapologetically point toward the world being so mired in sin and self-centeredness, that it has completely forgotten what real beauty is. Remember why Satan fell… we should not be tempted to do the same.

Next time you’re tempted to doubt your true beauty remember this…

Focus on the Family writes… “You are created in the image of God, and God doesn't make junk! Like a snowflake, every person is unique. No two are the same. God sees you as a masterpiece; and when you look in the mirror, He wants you to "know that very well." Try this beauty tip: Every morning when you look in the mirror, say Psalm 139:14 and smile. You might even tape the verse on your mirror as a reminder!”

Thank You for your faithfulness! Pastor Larry