MANAGING GOOD LOOKS

Physical beauty arms a person with a kind of ready-made power and advantage. Mismanagement of “good looks” has resulted in many “good-looking” people being confused, abused, and refused. The beauty product industry is booming as self-esteem and social acceptance are increasingly based on “being sexy.”

Physical beauty ought to be viewed as a major form of responsibility. This perspective should be taken by those blessed with such beauty, and their mentors, parents, friends and advisors. Because of its nature, when beauty, or “good looks,” as we usually call it (for male or female) is regarded too casually, the danger element sets in. The inability to responsibly manage “good looks” has resulted in many “good-looking” people being confused, used, abused and refused. Physical beauty, arms a person with a kind of inherent or ready-made power and advantage in life’s affairs. This is the case from a very tender age, beginning with the “pretty child.” The extra attention and preferential treatment are spontaneously given in many cases. In the teenage years, the child’s conscious awareness of all these “advantages” and the corresponding empowerment, are dramatically increased. “Major advantages” become obvious to the child not only in terms of social life but also the economic. Pride may set in and prompt the child to use “good looks” as a weapon of manipulation.

Let’s not forget that this is exactly what brought the total downfall of the incredibly beautiful Lucifer. The most beautiful angel became the devil when “his heart was lifted up (in pride) because of his beauty” (Eze 28:17). Mismanaged “good looks” can not only transform men and women into virtual demons, but can, in a very real way, make them the target of demons. Beauty attracts a lot of vicious and subtle predators. Flattery is the name of the game. And with the flattery generally comes the flattening! In the perverted world of today, beauty is most times equated with sexuality or sex appeal. The “sexy” person is really supposed to be the beautiful person. The commercial world, universally seems to resolutely embrace the motto, “sex sells.” This is where women are ruthlessly exploited. From hardware lumber to condoms, the “sexy” woman in the skimpy bikini (or less) is the seller. The increase in beauty-consciousness is absolutely astounding. One can see that the beauty product industry is easily a multi- billion dollar one. And it’s a straight case of supply reflecting demand. Beauty is just becoming a bigger and bigger thing in terms of people’s self-esteem, self-image and social acceptance.

So many times the unwritten policy in the corporate world is that “you must be physically attractive.” In some cases, it’s actually a written rule. One of the greatest fears of growing old is that of “losing my beauty.” This has also created a big niche in the market, which has resulted in the massive anti-aging industry. Teenage young ladies are more pained than ever in their meticulous and frantic concern about their “looks.” The pressure is enormous. In seeking validation and affirmation of their beauty at the vulnerable adolescent stage, many of them easily become victims of sexual exploitation. The pressure is there “to prove” that you are sexy enough to be desired. At one time, beauty was almost exclusively “the pink skin and blue eyes” symbol. But we have had the “black is beautiful” revolution which has effectively dismantled the “pink skin” monopoly. “Black beauties” are prominent in every sphere of life today. There are those who stoutly argue that beauty strictly “lies in the eyes of the beholder.” It’s a case of what’s ugly for me may be beautiful for you, and vice versa. What does the Creator say? “You are all fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps 139:14). We are all beautiful - skinny or fat, white or black. However, we all have to live with the reality of society’s standards every day, as unkind, unfair and silly as some of these may be.

It’s a fact that there are certain people who will readily impact the eyes of the majority, as being really “beautiful” (or handsome). This is where the extra care in managing good looks becomes necessary. From this practical viewpoint, even the Bible makes mention of people who were “goodly to look at” or “ruddy in complexion” (1 Sam 16:12) and so on. The Bible is nevertheless very clear and emphatic in pointing out that true beauty is not necessarily in the outside appearance, but in the heart and spirit of the person. The writings of the Apostle Peter state, “Let it not be outward adorning but the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.” (1 Pet 3:4). For a young man or woman seeking a mate, the focus must not be on creating an attraction of lust, but love. God is love. Lucifer is lust. The more of God you possess, the more genuine love you will transmit, and attract. The Lord says, true beauty is in holiness (Ps 29:2). He also assures that “He beautifies the meek with salvation” (Ps 149:4). In a comparative look at physical and spiritual beauty, wise man Solomon gives this summary: “Favour is deceitful, beauty is vain, but a woman who loves the Lord is to be praised” (Pro 31:30). Overall, every person must be ever conscious of the fact that when the Creator God made you, He did it so that your body will be the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19) not the so-called sexy symbol of lust, fornication and adultery. He has no problem in your being physically beautiful and dressing well. He only desires that you manage all this based on His scriptural guidelines. It’s all for His glory and your good.