Is beauty a sin?
 

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

God gives beauty, and God takes it away.

Considering the fleeting nature of beauty, and how it is not something that people had any control over until the advent of plastic surgery, it seems to be consumed by beauty is as chasing after moonbeams.

The most beautiful women I have known had a Holy Ghost glow. They exuded contentment and a deep, deep inner peace.

Attending to maintenance of hygiene and health should not be subject to debate.

On an individual basis, every person faces the risk of transforming a habit or hobby into a sin for themselves. Questions 2 and 3 MUST be answered on an individual basis. What one person can handle casually might become an obsession for another.

A person who is spiritually mature enough to indulge themselves in some of these services and treatments must also prepare for their actions to be judged and commented upon. Some wise guy is sure to come along and suggest that the ointment could have been sold for great price, and the money given to the poor. But the truly wise recognize the source of that voice. You must keep your heart right so you are ready to deflect criticism without giving nor receiving offense. Income and wealth are blessings from God for people to enjoy. In the OT if it was too much of a hardship for a Jew to make it back to Jerusalem for the annual trip, he was commanded to blow an equivalent amount of money making his heart and his family merry. If your budget allows you a monthly or weekly trip to a salon, you should by all means enjoy it without guilt. You should test yourself for idolatry from time to time by imagining how you would react if your pastor were to teach against it next week. Can you still surrender all to Jesus?

#4 I suppose gets us into a dangerous area as well, since one man's cheapskate is another man's wise money manager. Perhaps this one qualifies for the "individual basis" clause as well. Speaking only for myself, I do not forbid such things for my wife. She has her own convictions etcetera but I think this is largely an area where she just lacks interest. She knows I think she's beautiful and (as far as I can tell) that is sufficient.

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

Sister Cooper, you have brought out some good points...While we are not supposed to be a part of he world we are not creatures from some distant planet...(Yes, some will say we are from heaven) However...we are supposed to look nice, clean, neat...
I say live your convictions or what you feel is doctrine but ladies look the best you can...
I am a "plain" person by nature...others are more fancy by nature but whatever catagory we are in we should make sure we are clean, our hair is combed, we smell clean, our breath is sweet, our teeth are brushed...etc...

I see nothing wrong with looking nice...

Just because we may or may not have certain standards (this varies) we still can be neat and clean.

Just because we are christians is no excuse not to iron our clothes and wear old blue jean skirts all the time and I am not againt BJ skirits but they have a place...

more maybe later...have lots of work at my office today...

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

I am not promoting "worldliness" but we should not confuse the issue...

I live on the mission field but am amazed at some places in the states where people seem to think filth is godly...LADIES, your home tells a lot about your heart...your dress tells a lot about you...

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

I hope not, because if it is, my wife is hellbound for sure.

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

Is beauty a sin? Of course it is! Once a lady 'gits her man', there is no earthly need for it!

It's also distracting for the husband. A man should only think on the Lord and not be distracted from any sort of hanky panky, lest it be for birthin babies. And you don't need no 'beauty' for that!

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

Bro. OP,

There are some things I agree and disagree with you on. Speaking as a pretty woman, with or without the helps of plastic surgery, manicures, pedicures, and a hairdresser...I feel that pretty women in our Apostolic cirlces have been the target, not only of jealous women, but also men who try to blame their problems with lust and infidelity on us.

Women who dress in moderation who have the Holy Ghost and it is active in their life have the "Holy Ghost Glow" regardless of make-up, a stylish hairdo, or a manicure. It isn't about money, but about doing the best with what you have. Covering perceived flaws might now make a plain woman beautiful but gives her enoguh self-confidence to succeed in many areas of her life.

Apostolic men perceive beautiful women to be 'loose' or a danger to them. It is about them and not about her. The sin is in the thoughts and intents of the heart...that is why the Bible says, "The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, peircing even to the dividing asunder of joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Therefore, I can't in all honesty understand why you would make this a matter of money or of pretty women [or plain women who use make-up] not having the Holy Ghost glow an excuse for the thoughts and intents of a man's heart.

At the demise of my last relationship with the opposite sex, I did my best to throw away all the questionable articles of outward dress, though modest, but brought me compliments. I started eating and hid behind baggy clothes, I put my hair in a bun, and even blamed myself for being "too sexy" for Apostolic men. I have in the last month made a commitment to myself to not let Apostolic men make me feel guilty about being pretty, sexy, or single. I am on my diet, joining a gym, and getting myself where I recognize myself in the mirror.

God loves pretty, talented, and assertive women, just as much as he loves plain, unassuming, shy women.

In a nutshell...don't make the 'standards' issue about money, or about 'sweet spirits", or the Holy Ghost glow. Make it about moderation and doing the best with what you have, accenting the postives and downplaying the negatives.

The women who is on fire for God will have the Holy Ghost Glow with or without what they consider the necessary accompaniments.

Sincerely,
Rhoni

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

Grrrrrrr, coonkiller, you beat me to the punch...again!!!!!!!!

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

Idiots may have this perception, but please don't make this a broad brush statement toward Apostolic men.

It is absolutely not accurate.

I have been surrounded by beautiful Apostolic women my whole life, and sought one out and married her.

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

And everyone say Amen!

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

Pastor Coonskinner,

I try not to broad-brush stroke here because I know you are correct. Not all Apostolic men are this way. Thank-you for correcting me. What does amaze me is the many women who have the same mind-think as many Apostolic men. I sat through a couple weeks teaching on modesty and holiness and a Godly woman telling all the women that we are our brother's keeper and should not wear or do anything that would cause them to lust. I about fell out of my chair on that one. A man or woman will lust coming from struggles within their own heart and they cannot be blamed on women who look pretty.

Respectfully,
Rhoni

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

Yes. God did not intend for humanity to be beautiful, and anyone who is needs to repent................... okay, this is a poor attempt at humor.....carry on.

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

Sister,

Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed.

A man is responsible for his own sin.

But women are also responsibleto God if they are immodest. Not pretty--immodest.

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

I have nothing to add! :)

Thanks, CS.

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

I too believe my wife is in trouble if beauty is a sin!!!!

the truth I think is what is in a woman's heart will be evident in her attitude and spirit towards living for God....

Proverbs 31
10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

Here she takes care of herself...somewhat treats herself...
22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.


Here she takes care of her body....I don't she lays around eating Bom-Bom's in pink house shoes....:)

27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

What more could a Woman ask for?

28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

Attending to maintenance of hygiene and health should not be subject to debate. (Taken from O.P.)
While it might not be a subject to debate it needs to be addressed....

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

Sadly, for some folks, "hygeine" is pretty much just a greeting.

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

There are several statements in this one.

Of course not. Who would think otherwise.

What does adorning & modern dress have to do with beauty? When one is beautiful then one is... well... beautiful. The second part of the question is not asking about whether it is a sin to be beautiful. It is asking why it would be wrong to adorn oneself in modern fashion.

There are no clear cut answers here but I see that the word tells us that "Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."

The search for fulfillment in an outward beauty is fruitless and an end is never found to it's constant desires. The word tells us that God will give us the desires of our hearts. But who will let Him? Who will let him give us a new set of desires that can actually be fulfilled and which lead to a fulfilled life?

The word also says...

1Pe 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
1Pe 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation [coupled] with fear.
1Pe 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward [adorning] of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
1Pe 3:4 But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
1Pe 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

I don't believe that the purpose of these scriptures was to call it a sin to do this or that but to let us know that defining our "beauty" by our adornments is corruptible and will always leave you short of what one had hoped to feel while the adornment of that beautiful spirit that a woman of God exudes is incorruptible and in the sight of God (and man I believe) of great price.

Now... is this to say that shiny buttons & colors outside of black & white are wrong? Of course not. But the word offers us sage and wonderful instruction as to our priorities and our definitions of what beauty is that would go a long way in curing some of the ills of our society whose definition of beauty has the youngest of our lovely females involving themselves in the endless and fruitless journey of finally achieving "beauty" while beauty was inside them the whole time.

Men miss the wisdom & the beauty of Gods word when they take scriptures as I have stated above and use them to make hard & fast rules as to the wearing of this or that being wrong. But many people also miss the power of the word to finally bring happiness & peace into their lives when they believe what God said and walk in a way that is higher, wiser, more fulfilling and attainable rather than the way that appeals to our base human instincts, never fulfills and can never be attained for more than very short periods of time.

There are other questions that you posed but due to the length of my response to your first point I will defer for the moment.

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

NO, I do not think beauty is a sin.........................ugliness might be, though!!! :D

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

Beauty is not a sin but if it was I am surrounded by iniquity! My two granddaughters:
Raven

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/c.../100_02351.jpg

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/c...alarry15/4.jpg

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

beautiful...

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

Those are gorgeous girls, Raven!

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

Okay, so beauty is not a sin--because God has made a lot of beautiful things, and He isn't a sinner.

Personal hygiene is necessary and desirable. Please. Please. Please. Shave. Wash. Comb. Bathe. Shower. Soak. Moisturize. Deoderize. Brush. Swish. Floss. Thanks.


So, the question is: Are modern beauty accoutrements sin? Right? Tweezing brows, pedicures, manicures, having your hair done, etc.

Well, first of all, Trouvere, I think YOU deserve to have a few mani-pedis, and maybe schedule in a massage or two. My husband paid for a 30 minute massage for me at the local health food store, and I could've just melted into the chair and stayed there for the rest of the day. There's nothing sinful about relaxing and having someone else pamper you for a change.

Secondly, whatever you want to do to make yourself feel attractive and confident within the bounds of your personal convictions, IMO, is fine.

Thirdly, I think it is unhealthy to try to attain the westernized version of "beauty", because it is essentially unattainable for a large portion of the population. If you can keep things in perspective, appreciate how God created you, and walk out of the bathroom feeling secure in who you are in Him, then I think you'll be fine. If, however, you are never good enough, you cannot love yourself, you use make-up as a concealer for what you perceive to be ugliness, then I think that indicates a heart issue, because we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and we should appreciate our own bodies as the temple of the Holy Ghost and wonderful creation of God.

(I'm not saying you use make-up--just using an example.)

Also, I have daughters, so I try very hard to keep things I am really bothered about to myself. I don't want to talk about my flaws so much in front of them that I make them start to feel self conscious about or search for their own flaws. One of the best ways to make sure your daughters have self-confidence and feel pretty is to let them see you appreciating what you see in the mirror. Flaws and all.

What was the question again? LOL!

Beauty isn't a sin. It may be skin-deep, unless you have depth and spirituality to back it up. :)

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

Wonderful!

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

Great post, Sister.

As usual.

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

They are beautiful, Raven. You are blessed!!

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

Is Beauty a sin? If it is, everyday I look in the mirror and worry about my constant sinning!:hypercoffee

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

all I can say is awwww ROFL :)

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

beauty is only a sin, if it isnt my wife, lol,dt:toofunny

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

The Christian life is the way of the cross, and should be about self denial.
Why should we be so concerned with outward appearance?

My wife is "Beautiful!" but I didn't chose her for that.

I chose her because she has a "heart" for God & the things of God!

That is the one precious commodity that is most precious!

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

"AWWWW?" OR 'EEEEWWW?":toofunny

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

Agreed... great post.

Question though...

Which scripture(s) would we use to postulate that we should be about "self denial"?

I look forward to your response.

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

Is Beauty a sin???

Finally! Something I don't need to worry about :heeheehee

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

now moe, that is funny, but then i guess i aint to worried about that either, lol,dt:tvhappy

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

Now that's funny, I don't care who you are!!

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

I have heard basic hygiene preached against in pentecostal churches to include:
shaving your legs
plucking your brows.
Basic exercise look at what Randy posted in Proverbs :17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
that speaks to me of daily exercise.How else are you going to add strength to your
loins and arms????
I have heard high heeled shoes and panty hose preached against including colored hose and women not wearing anything for shoes but black,brown or dark colored loafers.
I have several pair.
Be honest not defensive.
If beauty is not a sin then why try to preach the women into looking like old ladies.
Just on a note.I attend a great bible believing apostolic church.My pastors wife is
gorgeous.If anyone knows Sister Kinsey then you would know she is much a lady and makes her own beautiful suits.They appear to be from Dillards etc but she makes them
herself and is totally a tailor.I am envious of this.So its not that I see it in the church I attend but in over twenty plus years in church and ministry I have had it told to me and heard it preached.What do I see in the mirror? I leave my house with the last look telling my self...Beautiful! One of the salons I go to have a manicure/pedicure done has alot of Vietnamese men.They often tell the ladies to tell me I am very beautiful.
What do I look like? I look like I am apostolic.My hair is long,black,curly and uncut.
The lady who did my hair last week told me I needed to get a trim.I told her it was
unimportant to me and we went on with my heat pack.You have to be willing to
stand up for what you want.I go to them for a service not to get their opinion.I already
have my opinion.
Sister Brattifed good post I may do the massage thing.I did a great facial and chair massage at a place in the mall a week ago.It was fun.
lv Sis.Dana

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

I totally agree:)

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

So is a woman required to hide every curve and feature lest she incite lust in her "weaker' apostolic brother?

Translation: If she is 5'6 and 36DD-24-36, is she required to dress in multiple layers of burlap and barbed wire in order to keep the "feeble minded" at bay?

Re: Is beauty a sin?
 

It's because I didn't.


I didn't.

Salesmanship 101. Or is it Saleswomanship 101?

True. I think it's easier to see on somebody who hasn't added a synthetic glow to the facial equation.

Carl

(OP stands for Oneness Pentecostal.)