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20 random & sometimes uncomfortable thoughts about physical beauty.

In response to our sizzling 'should wives be hot?' conversation last week. 

1. It exists.

Can we just say that? Can we admit it? It’s real. It exists. In our schools, homes and (gasp) churches. Physical beauty exists and it’s here to stay. 


Also, according to our culture, some of us have more physical beauty than others. It's not a fair or right standard but it exists so let's start talking about it because ignoring it doesn't help anyone. 

2. Beauty in and of itself is not inherently evil.

If you strip creation of the pollution of sin, the depravity of our culture and how it poorly defines beauty, you will still find beauty in everything God made.

I don’t mean spiritual inner beauty (which does exist and is of greater value). I mean, physical beauty. i.e it looks good to the eyes. 


3. Pursuing beauty is not inherently evil.

You can be godly and want to be physically attractive just like you can be godly and want to make money. 


Not hotter as in 2012 Cosmo magazine hotter but hotter as in Old Testament times hotter (whatever that means). Some examples:

“Now Joseph was well built and handsome" (Genesis 39:7). 

"Leah had weak eyes but Rachel was lovely in form and beautiful" (Genesis 29:17) 


5. Jesus doesn’t love or accept us because we look good physically BUT...

He also doesn’t hate people who (culturally) look good physically. In our attempts to champion the fact that Jesus accepts those the world deems as unattractive, lets be sure to make sure we leave room for those the world deems as attractive. There’s enough room on the bus. 


6. What we say to and about ourselves and each other regarding physical beauty matters.

Parents, your kids are listening and taking cues from every weight/beauty comment you make. Husbands and wives, our spouses mostly always remember the little comments we make about beauty. A lot of lives have spiraled into destruction because of one comment. Lets watch our words.  


7. Physical beauty as defined by our culture is an illusion at best.

It unrealistic and unattainable. It’s a dog chasing it’s tail. It’s stupid, it’s unfair and it devalues human life. Yes physical beauty exists but what we're being sold is very destructive and evil.  


8. Sometimes complimenting physical beauty is the most encouraging thing we can do.

My daughter loves it when I tell her she’s so generous and smart. But I also know that sometimes she just wants dad to say ‘You look cute in that outfit’. 


9. We don’t have to feel bad about physical attraction.

In fact it can be godly and selfless. I’m incredibly attracted to my wife. INSANELY attracted to her. I’m not afraid to say that not only because I like being attracted to her but because she deserves to be treasured as physically attractive.

Is it the ultimate thing? Of course not. I didn’t marry her simply because I think she’s 'hot' (though that didn’t hurt) but as much as she knows I value her character and heart for God, I know she also loves when I tell her how smoking she is.

Yes beauty will eventually fade but while it still blossoms, I can thank Jesus for it and enjoy it.

10. Christian men sometimes make it worse (part 1).

I can't speak for the women (feel free to do so in comments if you want) but as a man, its unfortunate to see how we can be so hypocritical in this area.

We agree that beauty defined by our culture is unrealistic and we agree that inner beauty is of greater value, but a lot of times we will not pursue a cute godly awesome woman of character because we are waiting for something that we just admitted doesn't exist. 
(Mother Theresa + Cosmo's hottest) 

The irony is, sometimes, the men 'waiting' for this kind of a fantasy woman, are sitting in their mom's basement playing video games in their underwear. Argh! 

What would you like to emphasize or add to the list? Have you ever been affected by anything on the list? Do you disagree with anything on there? Any other thoughts on physical beauty, our culture and a Christians response? 

​10 more thoughts on physical beauty tomorrow. I actually think it's a much better list. Stay tuned. Sign up here for email reminder so you don't miss it. It's fast, easy and I guarantee no spam.