There is a group of young women on Facebook that hail from a small Bible college, and they are some of the most judgmental people. Almost any decision you make that doesn’t fit their extremist conservative “values” becomes a sin issue—and that makes me angry.
I’m pretty conservative, but when non-sin issues are tossed around like salvation is in jeopardy—and this is done in the name of Jesus—that burns me up.
Guess what? It’s not a sin to wear makeup.
Guess what? You’re not going to hell if you love your mascara.
It always goes back to the 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).
It’s not a cosmetics, hairstyle or accessories issue. It comes down to a heart issue.
The ladies of that day are similar to women today. Many of the wealthier women were braiding jewels into their hair and wearing their best pearls and gems to set a distinction between the classes and to make the less-monetarily-fortunate women feel bad.
That’s having an ugly heart, and no amount of makeup can hide that kind of ugly.
It’s also a priority issue. When we put our appearance as the top priority, we neglect our character and miss developing ourselves into the person Jesus wants us to be.
We can have beautiful hearts and still enjoy playing with makeup. It’s OK to get excited about a monthly makeup subscription.
Why not let the world see we care how we look on the outside instead of pretending that a naked face brings us closer to God’s throne room?
No more fighting about makeup. No more “holier than thou” attitudes because your skin is bare.
Whether you love makeup or hate it, the choice is yours, but self-righteousness is always hideous.
Kindness, sweetness and gentleness enhance your beauty whether or not Clinique has been applied. No more ugliness. Enjoy your makeup. Stop bickering.
Five months after winning the Florida Christian Writers Conference 2012 Writer of the Year award, Bethany Jett signed contracts with the MacGregor Literary Agency and Regal Publishing. Her debut book, The Cinderella Rule, hit bookstores in April 2013.
