The Lighthouse Devotional
Author: Mario Straker
SCRIPTURE VERSE
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (1 Pet 3:3–4 NIV).
PERSONAL REFLECTION
We live in a world that focuses on superficial beauty instead of the beauty of the inner self. We know the saying that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” However, do we stop to consider what the beholder is seeing? Do they see only body measurements? What do you want people to see when they look at you?
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
The apostle, Peter, instructs his audience on general matters about Christian behavior (1:1–2:2:25) before focusing attention on human beauty (3:1–6), which, he believes, is not solely external but internal. But how are we to acquire this internal beauty? In our text, Peter hints that we should focus on the beauty of our inner selves.
We know, for example, from the broader scriptural text that God wants us to clothe ourselves with such inner qualities as humility (Col 3:12; 1 Pet 5:5) and that He will exalt us (Jas 4:10) and make our enemies be at peace with us because our ways are pleasing to Him (Prov 16:7). Humility does not mean that we are without value but that we esteem others above ourselves. God loves a humble spirit. He opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble (Jas 4:6).
Peace is another characteristic of inner beauty. It manifests in our ability to remain calm, especially during difficult times. Praying to God with thankful hearts ensures that God’s peace, which transcends human understanding, will guard our hearts and minds during life’s storms (Phil 4:7).
Integrity, too, is a feature of inner beauty. Some define integrity as “the crossroad where heart, mouth, and hands meet,” resulting in grace called integrity. It is a beautiful wholeness of character that represents unity between what we think, say, and do. God delights in people of integrity, whose opponents are at a loss for words because they can say nothing evil about them (Titus 2:7).
EXHORTATION
Let us, therefore, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus (Phil 2:5), imitating his inner beauty: walking humbly before the Lord; pursuing peace with all people (Heb 12:14); and walking with integrity.
PRAYER
Father, we acknowledge You as Sovereign Lord. Forgive us when we seek to exalt ourselves rather than glorify You. We want more of You to be seen in every aspect of our daily lives so that people may see Your good works and glorify Your name; through Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen.