Have you wondered what the Bible says about beauty? Of course we’ve all heard at some time in our life the verse from Ecclesiastes about all is vanity; we may even repeat it to ourselves to make ourselves feel better when we’re struggling with how we think we look. But honestly, do we even know what we are saying and do we even care? It’s negative talk we say to ourselves that we wouldn’t say to someone else and guess what, it doesn’t even have to do with someone in the Bible worrying about how they look, so you can safely move on and quit saying that to yourself. But what are Bible quotes about beauty and how can we ponder and apply them to our life? Let’s consider them today as part of my 31 Days series on Bible quotes.
Bible Quotes: Beauty in the Bible
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I have something to tell you. Before I sat down to write this post I had a “moment.” I had just come back from Hobby Lobby with my girls (Oh Hobby Lobby how do I love thee?! Let me count the ways…) After washing my hands I looked at myself and the mirror and thought, “Oh goodness! Are my eyelashes thinning?! Do I have eyelashes? Is it because I’m getting older? Is my diet deficient in something? I need a teen daughter to look closely at me!” So I went and found one. She assured me I still had eyelashes. I still think they are thinner…over night? Who knows? I can’t remember the last time I looked closely at my eyelashes in the mirror. Maybe the last time I applied mascara…a month ago??
All that to say, I may or may not be the best person to be writing about Bible quotes about beauty.
I will anyway.
Surprisingly or not, the Bible doesn’t have a lot to say about physical beauty. There are no BMI charts, guides to assess face symmetry so you know if someone has a beautiful face, or Family Feud survey’s with the top 100 answers as to what makes a person beautiful. There are certain people in the Bible described or mentioned as beautiful or handsome and references to beauty as ascribed the Lord.
Could it be the old adage is true, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” And could it be the beholder is God? And since we are formed in the image and likeness of God…we are all beautiful? And even more so, could it be that beauty is not exterior but interior so who can judge but God? The answer is an resounding “YES!” “…man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
I love how beauty is described and defined in the Scripture on the image above.
I grew up in a house where feet were physically considered ugly and gross. And you know what, according to that verse found in Romans–which we did not know–they were…our feet did not preach the Gospel of peace or bring glad tidings of good things.
Do mine now?
Do yours?
Can we just stop? Please? Isn’t life just a little more than too much anyway without having to measure ourselves against some ever-evolving idea of what beautiful is? Can we just start today, right now, and claim our beauty from where it comes…our Creator.
About all this “beauty” stuff, can we please get off the world’s merry-go-round of what is beautiful? Can we please teach our children they are fearfully and wonderfully made and that and that alone makes them beautiful? Can we please teach ourselves? Can we ignore the world’s view or idea on beauty. Look around, how’s that working for them? Is the world full of beautiful, happy, content, joyful, self confident, generous hearted people?
How about this, for the remainder of the month, let’s use those exact words from Scripture to bless our children each and every single day. Remember the Word of God is living and active. It is powerful and will not return void to Him. It will accomplish what He wills.
So this is what this will look like, maybe while brushing teeth or right before bedtime prayers we say to them,
(Insert your child’s name), you are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Or, maybe while driving or snuggling or looking across the dinning room table at them…And yes, it might seem awkward or weird…so? Do we want the alternative? Are we content with some sales lady, boyfriend, rival, coach or teen magazine telling them something different? Because they are and will.
And while we’re determined to bless them, let’s bless ourselves as well.
(Insert your own name), you are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Or use the blessing Tommy Newberry mentions in The 4:8 Principle; he prays this over his children.
Here’s your free printable you beautiful thing you!
Bible Quotes Resources
My large print Bible
(This is my go-to Bible. It’s large print and just feels nice in my hands.)
Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament
(I use this Bible when I’m looking for some more information about the text.)
The Catholic Bible Concordance for the Revised Standard Version
(You want to know where a word is in the Bible? This is the book for you!)
The Great Commentary of Cornelius A’ Lapide
(I use this commentary for more information as well.)
A Practical Commentary On Holy Scripture
(I like this commentary because it also has reflections and applications.)
This post is part of my 31 Days series on Bible Quotes.
Therese says
There’s a book I think you would LOVE it’s called Beauty Will Save the World, it’s a philosophical work, all about the purpose of beauty and it is just a phenomenal read. There’s so much about this post that I felt resonated with it. So often we put ourselves up against other people’s standards of beauty instead of embracing the beauty God has given us. This is such a good reminder to love myself a bit more! I loved this post. Thank you so much for posting!
Jenny says
I love the title…not sure I have the available brain cells for a philosophical work just yet, lol! Maybe when I’m not potty training and helping kids through Geometry and Algebra 2. Your comment is so encouraging, thank you.
Laurel says
There are WAY too many things these days feeding us their version of ‘beauty’ but the author of Beauty is the only One who can truly reveal to us what IS beautiful. Great reflection, Jenny!
Jenny says
Thank you Laurel. I read somewhere one time that most people don’t look up beyond a certain degree of angle, I can’t remember what that is…anyway, the point being, sometimes, I think if we just stepped outside and looked straight up, we’d be overcome by His beauty.