Lesson 60. Love Does Not Show Off

When Jesus revealed the essence of His mission to the disciples in Galilee and pointed out their sins, something very sad happened. We read in John 6:66: “From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him.” How painful it must have been for Jesus to watch this! But He did not welcome serving Him and the world at the same time, so He gave people the opportunity to decide.

What do we imagine when we hear the expression “the fairer half of humanity”? I do not know why we men are called this, but apparently it is some kind of special compliment, because we were originally created in the image and likeness of God. And then the most wonderful masterpiece of God’s creative work—a woman—was created so that through her special qualities she could bring joy to the fair half of humanity.

God creates everything beautiful. We are surrounded by the animal and plant world in all its perfection. If we add something of our own to it, the appearance of true, original beauty is lost, and something ugly results.

Sin has distorted the beauty of this world. It has distorted the beauty of people, placing its mark upon our bodies and faces and attempting to instill its own “values” in us.

One writer said, “Beauty will save the world!” I used to wonder: save it from what, save it for what purpose, and save whom? It seems rather meaningless, but the world liked this saying, so it created an entire beauty industry. From morning until evening, the world offers us its values and products, catching deceived people in its nets.

At present, a person’s beauty is determined not by the wholeness of his personality, but by the standards of fashion, industry, and the society in which we live.

Some people inherited a harmonious appearance and body from birth. Being noticeable in our world, they attract special attention and become targets for many lustful people who desire to partake of this beauty and make it part of their worldly pleasure. For this purpose, they devise various temptations and traps.

But what should those do who do not meet the high standards of our world yet desire recognition? Society offers its services to such people, and to others as well: bright cosmetics, jewelry, fashionable clothing, promiscuity, sexuality, tattoos, clubs and communities, prestigious employment, wealth and fame, and much more under the general name of “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” Choose whatever you want. There is enough for everyone.

Unfortunately, the influence of the surrounding world has also affected God’s people. Many of us lived in the world and, after turning from evil, accepting God’s truth, and believing in Christ, brought our old values into the new community, subconsciously imposing them upon the brothers and sisters with whom we associate. Every attempt to resist this stream of evil is described as fanaticism, monasticism, poor taste, and shortsightedness.

Nevertheless, true standards exist that are common to everyone and accessible to all. Our Creator is the supreme measure. When I imagine how I ought to appear before Him in order to please Him, I understand that all my tattoos, jewelry, and other such things are contrary and abhorrent to Him. I may make some impression upon the world with these things, but in God’s eyes I will appear proud and arrogant. Will God condemn me because I did not conform to the ideas of this world and appeared natural rather than as society prefers? God has His own standards. He gives us something far more beautiful and incorruptible than the glitter of this world. The best adornment for any person is a new heart given by God. It is the righteousness of Jesus, God’s agape love manifested in my character, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

From all my observations, I have concluded that the most beautiful people on the entire Earth are those who love their neighbors, are ready to serve and be friends, and have a personal relationship with Jesus while living according to the laws of Heaven. One can admire such people without growing weary. This is the half of humanity that may be called the most beautiful.

Love is the best adornment of the face and body. It transforms a person so skillfully and harmoniously that when you discover a loving soul, everything else fades in the light of the inner beauty that reflects God’s character.

But the enemy of the soul reminds us of worldly standards, attempting to add his own contribution to God’s beauty. If a person swallows this bait and is caught on the hook of society’s ideas, his entire life may be turned into one continual inferiority complex. He may reduce his self-esteem to an extremely low level and forget his true value in the eyes of God. Many people have fallen victim to such standards and isolated themselves from society and friends simply because they consider their appearance unsatisfactory. How they suffer as they look in the mirror and see age placing its mark upon their appearance, depriving them of youthful freshness and attractiveness! Every wrinkle is regarded as a wound to the heart, and biological age as an inevitable catastrophe. In order to fight this somehow, a person turns to the services of the beauty industry, attempting to prove to the whole world that he is not what he really is, but that he is normal. The world mockingly accepts him in order to squeeze every last bit of strength and money from him, leaving him photographs as reminders of the time when he once conformed to generally accepted standards. Along with fading beauty, a person loses the meaning of life and begins to hate those who look closely at him.

Social media has solved the problems of many people by allowing them to capture attractive angles of their outward appearance while hiding from the eyes of others what fills the person within.

Look at my photograph. Can you see my love in it, my friendliness, and my desire to make your life better and more beautiful? I believe that if you do not know me personally, you will see an ordinary person who does not like to comb his hair. But if you know me, then behind the photograph you already see a different me—the real and special person I am in life. The same would be fair regarding any person.

I have never even seen many of you, but by communicating with you or reading your messages, I form a beautiful image of a person who is very much like Jesus. If I ever meet you personally, I will be able very quickly to combine your spiritual values with your outward appearance. I will have the opportunity to admire you in your fullness. Love teaches us to see the whole person and notice the qualities that correspond to God’s requirements and standards. Love opens new paths for personal development and destroys many age-related and appearance-related insecurities within my soul. Even if I forgot to look in the mirror or shave, an unexpected meeting with you will not kill me. I know that I love, and this state of my mind serves as a special protection against the influence of this world.

But if I love, this does not mean that I should be untidy and look like a scarecrow. I should not use my outward appearance to demonstrate neglect and disrespect toward society. Neither should I display what ought to remain hidden beneath clothing. Sexuality will not increase my reputation, but will sow unnecessary temptations and destroy the protection of my soul.

In His wisdom, God gave us dress reform, teaching us to be diligent in this light and not to manifest fanaticism or poor taste. But the beauty of a meek and quiet spirit will always be incorruptible. Love does not vaunt itself.

1. Please read Genesis 1:27, 31; 6:2–5; Esther 1:10–12; Ezekiel 28:17; Mark 6:22, 25; 1 Samuel 9:2; 15:21–24; 16:7; Proverbs 31:25, 30; and 1 Peter 3:3–5, and consider these passages in the light of our lesson.

2. What revelations did you receive while studying this subject?

3. What did you understand from this lesson?

4. When can a person’s beauty become a sin against him? Does God love beautiful people?

5. What, in your opinion, adorns a person?

6. How can one be beautiful without considering oneself beautiful?

7. What verses came to your mind while studying this subject?

8. What did you feel when you read that men are the fairer half of humanity?)))