Scripture to Read: 1 Peter 3:3–4
God continues to encourage godly wives to seek both inward and outward beauty. God says in 1 Peter 3:3–4, Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. At first glance, we might think God is against a wife dressing nice, but that is not the point. When God had Peter write 1 Peter 3:3–4, that day's culture had temples built to false gods. In those temples were temple prostitutes. Those temple prostitutes would lure men into fulfilling their fleshly desires and sin against God through their outward beauty. Those prostitutes would carefully choose their clothes, jewelry, the braiding of their hair, and so on to tempt men. God is not against outward beauty, but He does not want a wife (or any woman) to have her sole focus on her external beauty. God wants every godly wife (and godly woman) to focus on their inward beauty, having a transformed heart. God’s Word says it this way in the Amplified Version of 1 Peter 3:4, …let it be [the inner beauty of] the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, [one that is calm and self–controlled, not overanxious, but serene and spiritually mature]. God wants the heart of every wife (and woman) to be clothed in His peace and gentleness.
Challenge & Application
1. When you consider how the world tempts us into sexual sin (of all kinds), how are you guarding your heart from those temptations?
2. Focusing on our inward beauty (a transformed heart) over our outward beauty, how are you making sure that happens in you?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!