Head: Know God’s Word | Heart: Love God | Hands: Follow God’s Way
Read 1 Peter 3
HEAD
In 1 Peter 3, Peter addresses husbands and wives, encouraging them to treat each other with respect and love that honors God and shows His love. Peter also gives encouragement for believers to hold onto when they are being persecuted and mistreated because of their faith in Jesus. The verse that really stands out to me in this chapter concerns the definition of true beauty.
HEART
Every day, we are bombarded with messages from social media, TV, our friends, and sometimes even our parents, teachers, and coaches that our value lies in our appearance and what we are able to accomplish. This lie has been around for a long time, and Peter addresses it in 1 Peter 3:3-4, which states, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, 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.” There’s nothing wrong with getting dressed up, but, as we all know, trends change, and beauty fades. There is also nothing wrong with winning the game or earning a 100 on a test, but sometimes we all lose the game or make a bad grade. There’s no solid foundation there, but there is a solid foundation when we find our identity and worth in God and what He says about us.
Thankfully, “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart,” 1 Samuel 16:7. Even more amazing than that is the fact that Jesus takes our selfish and sinful hearts and makes them into something beautiful - He changes us to look more like Him. So, no matter what others say, remember that God loves and values you. Like Ephesians 2:10 says, you are “God’s masterpiece.”
HANDS
What are you tempted to value more than what God says has true worth? Appearance? Wealth? Achievement? Intelligence? Popularity? Followers? Ask God to help you value what He values. Think of someone you know who has “a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” Send them an encouraging message.
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for loving and accepting me just as I am. Please make me more like You and help me value the things that You value. I love You! In Jesus’ name. Amen.