Dreadlocks Girls Volume 2 by Antiheld7 on DeviantArt
Beauty is relative from a human perspective. What one person finds beautiful may be ordinary or even ugly to another. Beauty is individual and subjective, but God has His own concept of beauty, which we should think about and explore carefully.Both the Old and New Testaments have much to say about beauty, about what is truly beautiful. Does beauty refer only to outward appearance, or is there more to it than that? Is it sinful to want to be beautiful? How do we deal with the biblical concept of beauty? Let us examine these questions together.What does the Old Testament teach about beauty?The Old Testament contains many fundamental principles about the beauty of God, the beauty of creation, the beauty of wisdom, the beauty of human beings, and the beauty that is abused by the wicked. God is adorned with glory and splendor (Job 40:10; Psalm 96:6). He is perfectly beautiful in his temple (Psalm 27:4; Isaiah 33:17).Everything God has created is good, and he is to be praised for his magnificent work (Genesis 1:31; Psalm 19:1; Ecclesiastes 3:11).Wisdom is beautiful and “more precious than rubies.” It leads to peace, life, and blessings (Proverbs 3:15–18).Since humanity was created in God's beautiful image, we should not allow others to define beauty for us (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139:14). God looks more at a person's heart than at their outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).Since we were created in God’s beautiful and “wonderful” image, we should not allow others to define beauty for us (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139:14). God cares more about the heart than physical appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).Beauty that leads to pride can destroy people, just as it led Satan into sin (Ezekiel 28:12–18). Solomon warned men not to be seduced by the beauty of an ungodly woman (Proverbs 6:25).What Does the New Testament teach about Beauty?The New Testament contains many practical principles about the nature of true beauty and how God-fearing Christian women should be “adorned.”Matthew says that nature gives us an example of true beauty in the splendor of God's creation (Matthew 6:28–29). Jesus rebukes the scribes and Pharisees, reminding them that they may appear beautiful and righteous on the outside, but inside they are full of hypocrisy and wickedness (Matthew 23:27–28). Born-again Christians are gloriously incorporated into Christ (Galatians 3:26–27). While physical beauty fades, the inner person is renewed in spiritual beauty (2 Corinthians 4:16).Christian women are advised to dress modestly, decently, and chastely and to focus on good deeds rather than on their outward appearance (1 Timothy 2:9–10). Women should „not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” care (1 Peter 3:3-4).Why does God create beautiful things?As Creator, God makes beautiful things that we should cherish and care for. Throughout the Bible, we see God's beautiful glory, splendor, and majesty. When we look around at His creation, we see the magnificent beauty that surrounds us and are filled with wonder. When we consider that we are created in His image (Genesis 1:26), we realize that His beauty also lives within us."The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,"Psalm 19:1.4"Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse"Romans 1:19-20Beauty testifies to God's creative wisdom. God wants us to recognize his goodness and greatness when we contemplate the vastness of his creation. Consider the immensity of the universe with its galaxies, planets, and stars. Or the countless shades of green in nature, even though God could have created just one type of green. Or the melodious song of the nightingale. Or the soft, white tufts on a cotton field. Or the soothing scent of a freshly baked apple. All these beautiful creations of God appeal to our senses!Without God, this sense of beauty would be meaningless.Beauty is an attribute that has its origin in God.Based on His wonderful, diverse creation, we should desire to get to know our Creator personally.God is infinitely creative, and we are the most beautiful part of His creation.We usually do not consider ourselves worthy.In reality, we are like a broken soul that He accepted and reshaped for His glory.With regard to creation, God's beauty encompasses His invisible qualities, His eternal power, and His divine nature (Romans 1:20).His beauty is incomparable and unimaginable to humans; it is His perfection in His character and in all His eternal attributes.God may have given us beauty to admire or enjoy because it is magnificent, attractive, or even glorious in an aesthetic or sensual sense.Beauty can be an expression of life, strength, and creativity.But beware of how beauty can corrupt the heart and become idols that keep us from trusting God. Just because something is beautiful does not mean we always use it well. Here are some warnings to keep in mind as we deal with beauty:• We humans tend to trust in this beauty rather than in the God who gave it to us—do we seek meaning, awe, or a sense of significance in this art rather than in God?• God's people became proud because of their beauty, and that led to further sin—when do we become similarly proud?• We may create absolutely breathtakingly beautiful art with other artists, but we must still trust in God and love Him more than the music or the people we make it with. This also means that we adhere to His moral standards instead of conforming to those of our fellow human beings.People can look beautiful, sound beautiful, and still be deceitful.We may have admirable idols, artists, or teachers who are talented at playing, painting, or speaking. Or we may work with lovable musicians who seem to have a beautiful outlook on life, who are so loving and caring. Learn from these people and let them inspire you. But remember that you are first and foremost a creature of God and not the successor to your teachers, mentors, or favorite artists. Don't be tempted to adopt someone else's worldview just because it sounds beautiful—only Jesus has the words of eternal life.The incomparable beauty of God is described in the Bible as No'am, as goodness and favor.Out of His goodness, God is the giver, the source, and the perfecter of all beauty—the beauty of human beings, the splendor of kingdoms, and the goodness of deeds.Earthly beauties are reflections of the perfect God, who is the original idea of the uncreated.Only the Creator of heaven and earth is the most beautiful, enthroned in glory and incomparable to created things. • No aesthetic concept of beauty and no sensual experience can even come close to matching the beauty of God.• It is a gift from God that things are beautiful in an aesthetic or sensual sense.Like everything else, this too should be accepted with gratitude and not turned into an idol. Passionate admiration of an image can quickly turn into wild desire."Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness."Ephesians 4:19Do not play down your sins, but confess them to Jesus Christ, who is ready to forgive you everything and give you a new life.First, you must recognize that you are a sinner and have lived a life contrary to God.You should Repent (Change your mind) aware of your sinfulness and lostness and recognize that our moral works are not sufficient.The crucifixion of Jesus Christ as the Son of God is the only salvation from hell.It doesn't matter what you have done—He can save you. God loves us even though we are sinners.Only Jesus Christ can deliver us from judgement."But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."Romans 5:8-9"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God"Ephesians 2:8"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."1 John 1:9For more picture galleries of blackladies,check out my older uploaded posts.Appropriate comments are always welcome.If you have any questions, requests, or criticism, please contact me privately.
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