Can They See Christ In You?

I Peter 3

v. 3-4

“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

v.8

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous

v.12

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” 

What I am going to share with you today is something that has been on my heart for a while. As I prayed about what to focus on for this week’s devotion, many topics came to mind, but this is the one I believe God has led me to. It pertains to an ugly trend we have observed in churches , and calls to mind the aforementioned verses in I Peter. It appears that to many young ladies and women today, church is nothing more than a fashion show, to prance around in 3” heels, with perfectly coiffed hair, and status accessories. Dare I say, there almost seems to be competition among sisters in Christ for the prize of most beautiful? As awful as that sounds, it might be somewhat tolerable, if they were at the very least as kind and careful with others, as they are with their appearance. However, what we have observed  is a coldness and an absolute preoccupation with appearance, to such extent that no genuine care and love is shown to their sisters in Christ. When a visitor is in their midst, rather than approaching them and making them feel welcome, they turn up their nose and walk away to huddle with their “friends”. My teens have experienced this as they have traveled to Youth Conferences. They describe a sea of silly girls, teetering on heels and playing with their hair, while flirting with the boys, and ignoring visitors. 700 young people, and only one girl reached out to my daughters or spoke to them in any way.  There is such a preoccupation with making the outward “beautiful” or while the inward man is ugly and ill-mannered. God likens that to an earring in a pig’s snout. So, where is your focus? When a young lady visits your church are you warm and welcoming? Or are you too concerned with how your legs look, or if you have a hair out of place, to even imagine how you might be a blessing to anyone else? Instead, you leave them with a terrible impression of your being shallow and vain, and who is to say they would ever come back to your church? Is it your goal to be a “godly” babe? A trophy wife? How is that in any way, shape, or manner pleasing to a Holy God?  There is nothing, and I mean NOTHING wrong with looking nice and being pretty. But treating others in a snooty and superior manner IS wrong. What is your motive for going to church in the first place? Is it foremost in your mind how you might impress people with your wardrobe, your hair, your manicure? Do you long to be constantly praised and showered with compliments?.  We should take care of ourselves, and maintain a right balance, with a focus that is Christ-centered, not self-centered. The church today is suffering and becoming non-effective due to these kinds of behaviors among young ladies and women in Bible believing churches. Let it not be so named among God’s children.