I know that vainglory is a sin but is it wrong in God's eye to stongly care about your outward apperance?

Question

I'm not just talking about caring about how you look,Im talking caring about how you dress,and about how I carry myself.I enjoy dressing sharp and staying neat...I love shopping I love manicures and pedicures...I love getting my eyebrows arched ....etc.!!!! You get the idea....But I do all I can to not worship any of this ideal!!!!!

Is it wrong in christ eyes to do as I'm doing? How is this lined up with Gods words............like are there any passages in the bible to back up taking care of yourself /appearance/hygiene?

Answer 1

Proper hygiene is taught in the Old Testament.

What the Bible is speaking of about "adornment" and attire is saying we should not become obsessed with clothing or appearances.

The statements that Paul is making about women and their dress and make up was dealing with the fact that many in the gentile churches of his day were dressing provacatively. The idea being they were there to bring focus to themselves for purposes of "dating and mating", which distracts from worship of God.

If the barn needs paint - then paint it. Dress respectfully and responsibly.

It is also teaching that we should not be focused on only seeing the "outward appearance", but rather see the heart of the person.

Answer 2

Jesus taught that when fasting, don't go on as the hypocrites do, looking poorly - put oil in your hair, wash your face - this was a matter of "looking good".

How do you not worship this idea? Can you be seen without make-up or with a broken nail and not have a cow? If God told you to get up and go somewhere and not stop to put on mascara, would you? Don't forget to examine your heart thoroughly. Just a tip for the day.

There is nothing wrong with looking your best. It is especially recommended to at least be clean, appear neat and don't forget the Right Guard! I am glad women wear cosmetics - let's be honest, some sisters need it (some of the brothers do too, but we live with what we have). But, there is a balance between looking good and appearing to look good, know what I mean? This is what that scripture means about the "braiding of the hair" and "gold jewelry" stuff. I have known some beautiful women without a stitch of make-up and some real dogs all dolled up - it is truly a spiritual thing, right?

Answer 3

A person has to keep in mind the mentality of people "back in THAT day and age." The only women that would have THAT much time and money on their hands for such things would have been the 'temple virgins' or concubines or in another word PROSTITUTES.

As soon as a woman began to menstrate, arrangements/preparations would begin for their wedding. By the time a woman was 15yo, it would have been expected that she at least would have given birth at least once. A person has to remember that back in the day, less than half the children born died before the age of 10, and the average life expectency was only about 30yos, as it STILL is in some parts of Africa.

Back in the day, they didn't have washing machines, refrigerators, much less indoor plumbing. Running a household took ALOT of hands, and usually multiple wives. The lack of 'free or idle' time meant concepts of personal hygiene were alittle different. For the majority of the populas, it was common only to bath or 'sponge bathe' on the eve of the sabbath.

As far as scriptural references:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Isaiah 3:16-24 Basically says what will become of the woman that 'over dress' with ornamentation in the eyes of god.

Answer 4

You should care about your outer self and I encourage you to continue to maintain yourself in a neat and caring way. When it gets out of hand is this - if you put anything before God, it is considered vainglory, If this is your first thought, if you can't miss an appointment, if you really go off if someone 'messes you up' (steps on your foot, or spills something on you). Everything must be done in moderation. When we start to think more highly of ourselves (Paul said this) than we ought - then we are allowing the things of the world to matter more than Our Heavenly Father. There are even passages in the New Testament that indicate women should cover up when attending services so as not to cause the attention to themselves (cover your hair, since a woman's hair is supposed to be her glory - we are advised to cover it in the presence of the Lord). Jesus warned the hypocrities in Matthew 23:27,28 to beware that they appear beautiful on the outside and inside was unclean; that they appear righteous outside, but were full of iniquity. When you start to pay more attention to your beauty and put God second in your life and duties, you have missed the mark. I am concerned about one comment you made - "I do all I can to not worship any of this ideal" - What can you do to 'not' worship it? There is nothing wrong with shopping - but do you give to the poor? Do you share with others less fortunate? Have you ever sacrificed having your nails done and given someone else this chance as a blessing on you? When we put ourselves first all the time we are not being pleasing. Be blessed

Answer 5

Vanity,Pride,arrogance,etc. are sins.

Please read:
James 2
Matt 15
Mark 7
1 Tim 2:9-10
1 Peter 3:3

God is more concerned that a person recieve salvation then wear the finest clothes and look down on others.
God wants a person to love others more then "fix" theirselves up.God judges peoples hearts not their appearance.

1 Tim 4:6-16

Answer 6

Whoa, I even have seen greater advantageous than my proportion of Holy finding adult adult males & women human beings, then as quickly as they opened their mouth that they had the hatefullest mean-lively attitude every person obtainable being a serial killer would have. so as that would not carry real. I do have faith in case you're without a doubt a Christian each and everything approximately you is going to look suitable. you will talk, act, pass, look. i wouldn't in any respect choose every person to mistake me a sophisticated guy or woman and that i attempt to dress and act in a fashion that could make my Lord happy with me. you recognize if i'm getting to heaven and that i'm the only one there in a dress, no make up and long hair i would be purely as chuffed seeing all of us cuz i will have executed what I understood to be suitable!

Answer 7

So do I and God loves me enough that He united with me a few months ago. He honestly doesn't care if you put on makeup, as long as you don't become obsessed with it and it becomes an idol or stumbling block to you. We are called to be not OF the world, but we are still IN it aren't we? Why would you worship makeup and looking good? If its an obsession that causes you to be OF the world, then yes, its a sin, but not otherwise.

Answer 8

Well it sounds a bit materialistic doesn't it?ANd that could cause you sin could it not?I wouldnt be too worried as long as you dont start thinking how you look is more important then God.

Answer 9

The problem is, what message are you send to others? The message you are sending to others is "NOTICE ME!!!!!" If you cause others to turn their heads toward you, whether it be in astonishment or to cause others to sin in their hearts, I would recommend a more modest apparel.

GOD bless

Answer 10

Check these out:

1Ti 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;


1Ti 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

1Cr 1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

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2Cr 10:17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

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