Beauty from the Inside-Out!
(Prov 11:22 NLT) A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig's snout.
This morning we continue our series, You know the saying: “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Solomon has given us a powerful visual this morning. He wants us to picture a beautiful gold ring on a pig’s snout and just by reading it, you inevitably do.
Just like I can’t say, “elephant” without you picturing an elephant, or “Big Mac” without you picturing (whether you like it or not) two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles and onions on that sesame seed bun. We are visual people. We don’t think in words, we think in images and Solomon uses our imaging center (our brain) as he asks us to picture the foolishness of taking something so beautiful and valuable (as a gold ring), and placing it on something so hideous (as a pig’s snout).
To get the full appreciation for the contrast in Solomon’s mind I must remind you that Solomon was an Israelite (a Jew). Israelites did not just dislike pigs they detested them! If a Jew would touch a pig, dead or alive, it would make them unclean and they would have to go through ceremonial cleansing. Needless to say, Solomon was attempting to paint a vivid picture upon the canvas of our minds. He wanted to be clear that this was a stark contrast.
So let’s get to the real message. What was he contrasting? What was he comparing? He was comparing the aforementioned picture with that of a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. Let’s make sure we understand discretion.
Solomon uses this word throughout the Book of Proverbs. Discretion means: the ability to make responsible decisions; having or showing discernment or good judgment in conduct and especially in speech; marked by wisdom. Solomon is telling us that what really makes a person beautiful is not the outward appearance, but rather the inner ability to control one’s self to make wise decisions.
Just like the valuable ring seems out of place on the snout of a pig, outer beauty means little on a person that routinely makes poor decisions. God does not judge us like man does. In 1st Samuel 16, when the prophet Samuel was being led of God to anoint a new King for Israel, the prophet was fooled by the outer appearance of one of David’s older brothers. Samuel thought that Eliab was the one, simply because he looked the part.
But God said, “Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (v.7). The Lord looks at who you really are. He looks at your motives. He looks at your desires. He looks at the foundation for your decision making process. He looks at what makes you “YOU,” and He judges you accordingly.
So what does this mean? It means that God looks right past your façade. Sure, you can fool others. You can say the right words, at the right times, to the right people, to make things “appear” as though you have it altogether. You can go to church, carry your Bible, and sing hymns to and fro; but if your heart is not right, the Father knows.
He knows that we are capable of painting a pretty picture for others, all-the-while covering our true self. Simply put, that is NOT God’s best. He wants you to be beautiful from the inside-out. He wants you to be to right with Him, and He will ensure you are right with men. He wants you to make sound and quality decisions, so that you can not only have the appearance of making a difference, but so that you can truly impact the world for Him!
So make sure your heart is right towards God today, allow His Spirit to lead you to make Godly decisions, and you will experience favor with God and man!
Father, I thank You for blessing me to be able to take down the façade. I don’t have to hide within my own skin. Since I am right with You, I am free to BE ME before others. I allow Your beauty to radiate from the inside out! Your Spirit leads, guides, and directs me in the way that I should go. Your wisdom and Your truth are the foundation for my decision making process; therefore, I choose well! I declare, by faith, that I think, feel, and choose the way You want me to and in-so-doing I become a candidate for favor with both You and man! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
(Prov 11:22 NLT) A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig's snout.
This morning we continue our series, You know the saying: “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Solomon has given us a powerful visual this morning. He wants us to picture a beautiful gold ring on a pig’s snout and just by reading it, you inevitably do.
Just like I can’t say, “elephant” without you picturing an elephant, or “Big Mac” without you picturing (whether you like it or not) two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles and onions on that sesame seed bun. We are visual people. We don’t think in words, we think in images and Solomon uses our imaging center (our brain) as he asks us to picture the foolishness of taking something so beautiful and valuable (as a gold ring), and placing it on something so hideous (as a pig’s snout).
To get the full appreciation for the contrast in Solomon’s mind I must remind you that Solomon was an Israelite (a Jew). Israelites did not just dislike pigs they detested them! If a Jew would touch a pig, dead or alive, it would make them unclean and they would have to go through ceremonial cleansing. Needless to say, Solomon was attempting to paint a vivid picture upon the canvas of our minds. He wanted to be clear that this was a stark contrast.
So let’s get to the real message. What was he contrasting? What was he comparing? He was comparing the aforementioned picture with that of a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. Let’s make sure we understand discretion.
Solomon uses this word throughout the Book of Proverbs. Discretion means: the ability to make responsible decisions; having or showing discernment or good judgment in conduct and especially in speech; marked by wisdom. Solomon is telling us that what really makes a person beautiful is not the outward appearance, but rather the inner ability to control one’s self to make wise decisions.
Just like the valuable ring seems out of place on the snout of a pig, outer beauty means little on a person that routinely makes poor decisions. God does not judge us like man does. In 1st Samuel 16, when the prophet Samuel was being led of God to anoint a new King for Israel, the prophet was fooled by the outer appearance of one of David’s older brothers. Samuel thought that Eliab was the one, simply because he looked the part.
But God said, “Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (v.7). The Lord looks at who you really are. He looks at your motives. He looks at your desires. He looks at the foundation for your decision making process. He looks at what makes you “YOU,” and He judges you accordingly.
So what does this mean? It means that God looks right past your façade. Sure, you can fool others. You can say the right words, at the right times, to the right people, to make things “appear” as though you have it altogether. You can go to church, carry your Bible, and sing hymns to and fro; but if your heart is not right, the Father knows.
He knows that we are capable of painting a pretty picture for others, all-the-while covering our true self. Simply put, that is NOT God’s best. He wants you to be beautiful from the inside-out. He wants you to be to right with Him, and He will ensure you are right with men. He wants you to make sound and quality decisions, so that you can not only have the appearance of making a difference, but so that you can truly impact the world for Him!
So make sure your heart is right towards God today, allow His Spirit to lead you to make Godly decisions, and you will experience favor with God and man!
Father, I thank You for blessing me to be able to take down the façade. I don’t have to hide within my own skin. Since I am right with You, I am free to BE ME before others. I allow Your beauty to radiate from the inside out! Your Spirit leads, guides, and directs me in the way that I should go. Your wisdom and Your truth are the foundation for my decision making process; therefore, I choose well! I declare, by faith, that I think, feel, and choose the way You want me to and in-so-doing I become a candidate for favor with both You and man! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
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