More Than Her Body: The Power of Inner Beauty in Women

A Beautiful Woman is More Than Her Body

Women have been objectified for centuries. Society has put so much emphasis on a woman’s physical appearance that it’s easy to forget that a woman is more than her body. A woman is a person with a soul, emotions, and intellect. She is a creation of God, fearfully and wonderfully made.

As a man, I understand the temptation to objectify women. The media bombards us with images of “perfect” bodies, telling us that a woman’s worth is based on her physical appearance. But as a Christian, I am reminded that a woman’s worth is not based on her outward appearance but on her inner beauty.

Inner Beauty is Imperishable

The apostle Peter writes, “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” (1 Peter 3:4). Peter reminds us that true beauty is found within a person’s heart. It’s the beauty that comes from a gentle and quiet spirit.

This kind of beauty is imperishable. It doesn’t fade away with age or change with fashion trends. It’s a beauty that comes from the character of the person, from their love for God and others, from their compassion and kindness. And it’s this kind of beauty that is most valuable to God.

A Woman is a Person, Not a Body

It’s time to stop reducing women to their bodies. Women are not objects to be admired or lusted after. They are not defined by their physical appearance. They are people with thoughts, feelings, and dreams.

When we reduce women to their bodies, we rob them of their humanity. We make them feel like they need to fit into a certain mold to be accepted or loved. We make them feel like they are only valuable if they are physically attractive.

Seeing People, Not Bodies

As a man, I know the struggle of trying to see women as people and not just bodies to be admired. It’s a constant battle to train our minds to see beyond the physical appearance and see the person underneath.

But it’s a battle worth fighting. When we see women as people, we treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve. We listen to their thoughts and feelings, we appreciate their talents and abilities, and we value their contributions to society.

God's View on Women

God has a high view of women. He created women in his image, just like he created men. In fact, the Bible is full of examples of strong, courageous, and faithful women who played important roles in God’s plan of salvation.

Take Ruth, for example. She was a Moabite woman who married into an Israelite family. When her husband and father-in-law died, she chose to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, and travel with her to Israel. There, she worked hard to provide for her and Naomi, eventually catching the eye of Boaz, a wealthy landowner.

Boaz was impressed by Ruth’s character and faithfulness, and he eventually married her. Ruth became an important figure in the lineage of Jesus, the savior of the world.

Or consider Mary, the mother of Jesus. She was a young, unmarried girl when she was visited by an angel and told that she would bear a son who would be the savior of the world. Mary’s response was one of faith and obedience. She said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

Mary’s faithfulness and obedience played a vital role in God’s plan of salvation. She carried the savior of the world in her womb and raised him to adulthood.

Women in the Church

Women have always played an important role in the church. In the New Testament, we see women serving as deacons, prophets, and apostles. They were active in spreading the gospel and ministering to others.

One example is Phoebe, a deaconess in the church at Cenchreae. Paul writes, “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well” (Romans 16:1-2).

Phoebe was a valuable member of the church, and Paul commended her for her service. She was not just a body to be admired; she was a person with a calling and a purpose.

The Value of Modesty

Modesty is often seen as outdated or old-fashioned in our culture. But the Bible teaches us the value of modesty. Modesty is not about hiding our bodies or being ashamed of them. It’s about valuing our bodies and respecting the bodies of others.

When we dress modestly, we show that we value our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. We show that we respect the bodies of others, not wanting to cause them to stumble or be tempted.

The apostle Paul writes, “I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works” (1 Timothy 2:8-10).

Paul reminds us that our focus should not be on outward appearance but on inner beauty. Our attire should reflect our profession of godliness and be marked by good works.

The Power of Inner Beauty

Inner beauty has the power to transform. When we focus on cultivating inner beauty, we become more like Christ. We become kinder, more compassionate, and more loving. We become women and men of character, people who inspire others to follow Jesus.

When we focus on outward appearance, we become more self-centered and shallow. We become obsessed with our looks, our weight, our fashion, and our status. We become people who are only concerned with ourselves, not with the needs of others.

But when we focus on inner beauty, we become people who are concerned with the needs of others. We become people who are willing to serve, to love, and to give of ourselves. We become people who are marked by the character of Christ.

Conclusion

As we move forward in this year and beyond, let us remember that a woman is more than her body. She is a person with a soul, emotions, and intellect. She is a creation of God, fearfully and wonderfully made. Let us value women for who they are, not just for what they look like.

Let us cultivate inner beauty, the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. Let us focus on becoming women and men of character, people who inspire others to follow Jesus. And let us remember that our worth is not based on our outward appearance but on our inner beauty and our relationship with God.

May we see people, not bodies. May we value modesty and inner beauty. And may we live our lives in a way that reflects the character of Christ.