Imperishable Beauty

Beauty is a subjective perception reflecting harmony, attractiveness and the inspiring nature of something, whether it be an object, idea or person. Beauty can be both external and internal, reflecting the depth of the human soul.

We read the apostle Peter's address to married women, 1 Pet. 3:3-4: "Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."

I think that such a statement can suit every woman at any age, because it speaks of what is very valued by God, and always.

But when such beauty is present in my family, then this is a special blessing, which, if I appreciate it and understand what it is, will constantly delight me and fill my heart with inexpressible gratitude to God.

The concept of human beauty is subjective, and can be different for all people. The world imposes on us its standards and standards of beauty, and the carnal nature of man gladly accepts what satisfies the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.

To be outwardly beautiful is that need which is embedded in the nature of woman, which gives her inner confidence if she sees herself as such.

Magazine covers, billboards, television and cinema from all sides offer us beautiful facades, sometimes without internal content, and women deceived by the world believe that achieving these standards will make them someone significant in the eyes of others, and they spend a lot of time and money on achieving this beauty.

But the Bible teaches that there is something special and imperishable in a woman that is very valued by God.

The imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit means that true attractiveness is manifested in inner peace, humility and wisdom. These are qualities that are not subject to time and retain their value regardless of circumstances.

Jesus once called Himself thus: "...for I am gentle and lowly in heart..." Matt. 11:29. A gentle spirit was inherent in the Savior, and He gave us an example of with what dignity a gentle and humble person can live among all kinds of dangers, trials and persecutions.

Gentleness does not manifest itself in the company of people who love each other, where everyone is open and does not think evil. It begins to act where it is necessary to show patience, prudence, calmness, control feelings and emotions. Of such people it is said that they will inherit the earth. Matt. 5:5.

By their physiology not all people can look attractive and evoke aesthetic pleasure in others. But there is one very true and tested means that adorns anyone, even the most inconspicuous person, making him bright, radiant and amazingly beautiful. This is a sincere smile.

Want to be beautiful? Smile. Want to always be beautiful? Always smile. Want to be truly beautiful—smile with sincere joy about the one to whom you smile. There is something in a smile that makes any person, and especially a woman, aesthetically beautiful and attractive.

To understand the beauty of a smile, let's look at a face distorted by anger or malice. A more ugly expression is difficult to imagine, even if this person has an attractive appearance. And after such an eruption of internal content, you no longer notice the attractive facade of this person, even if they try to smile.

Why does this happen? Because the peculiarity of the fullness of human beauty lies in the combination of the external appearance and the internal image of a person. And if at first we are attracted by appearance, then with closer acquaintance, when we learn the character, a true image is created, where the internal content has greater significance than what is outside.

A quiet spirit is the ability of a person to very briefly state the essence of their life position without entering into debates and controversies. This is a calm attitude to controversial issues, where one's view of things is expressed without the desire to prove anything. This is the ability to be silent where your opinion does not interest anyone or will introduce disagreements into communication. This is the understanding that with many words sin is unavoidable. Prov. 10:19.

A quiet spirit does not mean that this person is taciturn, unable to speak much or having an inferiority complex. But this is wisdom from above, which teaches to be brief and concise where it is needed, and talkative and sociable where it is expected. This is the ability to share wise sayings that bring good and joy to listeners, and absolute silence where an accidental foolish word can harm or disappoint someone. We read Prov. 31:26: "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."

A gentle spirit is the power from above, allowing one to maintain calm and composure where storms rage, when a person completely relies on God's protection. This is the ability to control the situation without attracting special attention to oneself. This is deep respect for the interlocutor and honoring others above oneself, without compromising one's personal dignity.

Any adequate husband who has in his home a wife with a gentle and quiet spirit will quickly appreciate her inner beauty, will certainly test it for strength, and then will constantly admire it and rejoice at such a gift from the Lord. And if this gift will always be dressed in a festive sincere smile, then in such a house there will be an atmosphere of love and friendship.

I think and know that to be friends with such people is very pleasant, interesting and not difficult. They, like a magnet, draw you to themselves, and then also do not reject you, but are always glad that you exist.

If the Bible calls something precious in God's eyes, then I think attention should be paid to this and one should understand whether this is present in me.

Love has a very good peculiarity. It teaches gentleness and wise silence, without depriving a person of freedom of choice. It endows the heart with wisdom, when one no longer wants to live differently, and it is not necessary.

There are other signs of beauty that Peter did not list in the above verse, but wrote about them in his epistles to believers. Time has passed, and these values have not changed and have not lost their power. And this is the best proof that such peculiarities of the soul are imperishable, and time has no power over them.

Which of you dreams of becoming such a wife? All things are possible to him who believes.

Which of the husbands dreams of having such a beautiful wife? I think everyone who understands what this is about.

Age over the years takes away external attractiveness, but inner beauty does not go anywhere.

I remember one grandmother who smiled incessantly, was constantly glad to see me and shone like the sun. I was always so fascinated by her content that it did not matter what her hairstyle was or how old she was. In the company of this woman it was always warm and cozy, because you understood that nearby is someone who loves you and is very glad to see you. The Lord wants to see such beauty in each of us and has made this possible through the love that He so strives to sell us. And while we are learning this, do not forget to smile more often.

1. Please read: 1 Sam. 16:7; Gen. 6:1-5; 1 Pet. 3:1-16; Matt. 5:5; 6:7-8; 11:28-30; Prov. 10:11,19-21,31-32; 14:30; 15:1-4; 18:6-7; 31:25-31; Ps. 36:11,29-31; 48:4; 140:6; Zech. 9:9; Isa. 40:6-8; Gen. 29:17 in light of this lesson.

2. What Biblical heroines did you remember when reading this lesson?

3. What did you understand from this topic?

4. What is female beauty?

5. What is the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit?

6. Why does Peter call the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit imperishable?

7. What other spirit of a woman is beautiful in your understanding?

8. Do you know how to admire those who love you? How do you see such people?

9. Have you tried smiling in front of a mirror and making an evil face? Is there a difference between these two expressions?

10. Do you know truly beautiful people? How do you evaluate their beauty? Are they always beautiful in face and body?

11. What should you do if you consider yourself unattractive, but so want to be liked by other people?

12. Has the apostle Paul's advice given in this lesson helped you change something in your life?

13. Do you know beautiful people who are not beautiful?

14. Is God the Father beautiful? How do you imagine Him?

15. Does it depress you that years deprive you of the beauty of youth? How can this be corrected?