YOUR INTERNAL BEAUTY

                                                        Written by Pst Sam Oluwatoye

FOCUS VERSE:   1 Timothy 2: 9-10            
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

BIBLE READING:  1 Timothy 2: 1-15

Have you discovered that so many people are always concerned about how they look? Well, I think as humans, it is natural to be concerned about our looks because that is what other people use to judge us when they get to meet us for the first time. As a matter of fact, the Bible says that Prophet Samuel was convinced about Eliab being the chosen King by God when he first met him. However, it has also been discovered that this first impression that people have when they see us for the first time based on looks does not last. No matter how appealing you are at first sight, it will take a lot more than physical appearance to sustain a good impression. Apostle Paul was aware of this and that was why he instructed people using the women as a case study to look beyond external beauty but give more preference to internal beauty.

If you are used to women, you would know how important it always is for them to make their hair, use a lot of facial make-up, ensure that they have a color match on their clothes, shoes and bags, organize their walk and arrange their communication. While all this is very good, we are encouraged to ensure that we do not overdo many of these things as what makes for a beautiful life is beyond the external looks but the internal looks also. Apostle Paul in our devotional today encourages that we should be modest in external looks. This is why I would always encourage people to spend a lot more on their personal development than the way they look outside. Some people can do anything just to acquire what they need for external beauty. As a matter of fact, I have seen some wives fight their husbands over fashion and so many other things that do not last. Thank God for my family because we have certain principles that give preference to internal beauty over external beauty. For example, in my home, my wife and I had agreed long ago that we do not buy family arranged costumes ‘’aso ebi’’. This is because we have discovered that most of such clothes become useless after their use and most times, people have to go an extra mile just because they want to purchase those clothes. Well, it may not be the same in your home but the principle should remain the same and that is to give more preference to internal beauty.

The encouragement this morning is to give preference to character which Apostle Paul calls good works. This is what brings about a more lasting impression of people about you. Your character defines you more than anything else. Don’t be the kind of person who is so handsome or beautiful on the outside but wicked on the inside. Let your inner beauty reflect God. Be kind, nice, friendly, warm, exciting, and loving to people. I pray that we shall all reflect the image of the Almighty God in our lives in Jesus name.

ACTION POINT: Place more priority on a good character than external beauty from now on.

TODAY’S CONFESSION:                           
1. I reflect the nature and the character of God everywhere I go from today in Jesus name.

2. My life is an example to all those who come in contact with me for good in Jesus name.

3. The blessing of the Lord is evident all around me and everything that concerns me from today in Jesus name.