We are all familiar with the name and probably some of the movies of actress Julia Roberts. I read an article about her today and was somewhat surprised to find out where she stood on the use of Botox and plastic surgery. To boil it down, she is against these types of treatments altogether. Here is a statement she made to Elle magazine, "It's unfortunate that we live in such a panicked, dysmorphic society where women don't even give themselves a chance to see what they'll look like as older persons." What a great statement this is. Now, I am not implying that any of us use Botox or plastic surgery. However, we definitely can get enveloped in the pressure to look good no matter the cost.
It is no secret that our culture is obsessed with looking young, beautiful, fit, and stylish. Many other cultures have this same obsession as well. Throughout history this is obviously been a struggling point with people. Matthew 23:27 says, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness."
In Scripture, we see a completely different approach. While outward beauty is sometimes discussed, the major emphasis is on inner beauty (1 Samuel 16:7; Luke 16:15; 11:39; etc). In Matthew 23:25-26, Jesus said, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also."
Even though our culture is obsessed with outward appearances, I appreciate and respect Julia Robert's standpoint. Proverbs 31:30 says, "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised." No matter how much a person puts off the signs of age, they will eventually catch up (Ecclesiastes 12:1-7). Nearly everything in this life fades and gets ugly as it gets old, but one thing that never gets ugly: inner, spiritual beauty. In fact, this usually becomes even more beautiful with time. Let's strive more for that inner beauty and be less worried about the physical beauty that will fade no matter what we do.
It is no secret that our culture is obsessed with looking young, beautiful, fit, and stylish. Many other cultures have this same obsession as well. Throughout history this is obviously been a struggling point with people. Matthew 23:27 says, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness."
In Scripture, we see a completely different approach. While outward beauty is sometimes discussed, the major emphasis is on inner beauty (1 Samuel 16:7; Luke 16:15; 11:39; etc). In Matthew 23:25-26, Jesus said, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also."
Even though our culture is obsessed with outward appearances, I appreciate and respect Julia Robert's standpoint. Proverbs 31:30 says, "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised." No matter how much a person puts off the signs of age, they will eventually catch up (Ecclesiastes 12:1-7). Nearly everything in this life fades and gets ugly as it gets old, but one thing that never gets ugly: inner, spiritual beauty. In fact, this usually becomes even more beautiful with time. Let's strive more for that inner beauty and be less worried about the physical beauty that will fade no matter what we do.
Brett Petrillo
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