It’s no secret that our society is obsessed with physical appearance. We’re constantly bombarded with images of “perfect” celebrities and models, and it can be easy to start comparing ourselves to them.
Because of this, most of us go on an endless quest for beauty. We diet, we exercise, we wear makeup and clothes that flatter our figures. All of these are fine if we do them in pursuit of good health and feeling confident in ourselves. However, they can be detrimental when we only do all of these things in an obsessive effort to look good— just to present a certain image to the world.
In a society that is increasingly fixated on beauty standards, it is easy to forget that our true value comes from within. While it is important to take care of our bodies and present ourselves in a way that reflects our inner self, God commands that we must not allow vanity to consume us.
No one is perfect. The Lord created us all with unique physical features and flaws that set us apart from everyone else, and He loves each of us just the way we are. It is only when we start to see ourselves through His eyes that we can truly appreciate our own worth. The next time you catch yourself obsessing over your physical appearance, read the following bible verses and remember that you are so much more than what meets the eye.
Proverbs 31:30 NIV
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Psalm 119:37 NIV
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
1 Samuel 16:7 NIV
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Timothy 4:8 NIV
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Romans 12:2 NIV
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Jeremiah 4:30 NIV
What are you doing, you devastated one?
Why dress yourself in scarlet
and put on jewels of gold?
Why highlight your eyes with makeup?
You adorn yourself in vain.
Your lovers despise you;
they want to kill you.
Job 15:31 NIV
Let him not deceive himself by trusting what is worthless,
for he will get nothing in return.
Ecclesiastes 11:10 NIV
So then, banish anxiety from your heart
and cast off the troubles of your body,
for youth and vigor are meaningless.
Psalm 12:2 NIV
Everyone lies to their neighbor;
they flatter with their lips
but harbor deception in their hearts.
2 Peter 2:18 NIV
For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.