Today's world has made people pleasing and struggling with body image an everyday norm. God's word says this was not what he intended for His beautiful creations. Join us as we read what scripture says about this issues and how we can lean into Him for help.
People Pleasing
Ephesians 6:6 CJB- Don't obey just to win their favor, serving only when they are watching you; but serve as slaves of the Messiah, doing what God wants with all your heart.
Galatians 1:10 CJB- Now does that sound as if I were trying to win human approval? No! I want God’s approval! Or that I’m trying to cater to people? If I were still doing that, I would not be a servant of the Messiah.
1 Thessalonians 2:4- Instead, since God has tested us and found us fit to be entrusted with Good News, this is how we speak: not to win favor with people but with God, who tests our hearts.
Romans 12:2 CJB- In other words, do not let yourselves be conformed to the standards of the ‘olam hazeh. Instead, keep letting yourselves be transformed by the renewing of your minds; so that you will know what God wants and will agree that what he wants is good, satisfying and able to succeed.
olam ha-zeh, (Hebrew: “this world”), in Jewish theology, presents life on earth, as opposed to ʿolam ha-ba (“the world to come”) the afterlife.
Body Image
1 Samuel 16: Adonai said to Sh’mu’el (Samuel), “Don’t pay attention to how he looks or how tall he is, because I have rejected him. Adonai doesn’t see the way humans see — humans look at the outward appearance, but Adonai looks at the heart.”
1 Peter 3:3-4-Your beauty should not consist in externals such as fancy hairstyles, gold jewelry or what you wear; 4 rather, let it be the inner character of your heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit. In God’s sight this is of great value.
Proverbs 31:30- Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Psalm 139:14- I praise you because I am Fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Our bodies are a divine gift. A temple. A dwelling place for the Holy Spirit
