What The Bible Sa6 About Makeup

What does the Bible say about makeup? Is information technology wrong to want to modify or raise our appearance through the use of a trivial mascara or blush? It's been an age-old question that has many women and young girls confused, oppressed, and shamed for wanting to wait cute. I view makeup as a tool. And like any tool, it depends on how it's used and the intentions inside my heart.

I am 100% a girly girl. I've always loved style, makeup, and hair. Wearing a certain shade of eyeshadow, a cute elevation tin accentuate the natural dazzler God gave me. I always want to look my all-time only growing up I was given mixed messages from both men and women about my makeup, way, and dress.

One particular conversation comes to heed when a pastor's married woman pulled me aside as a new youth coming to church building on Wednesday nights told me that makeup is the devil's style of young girls getting the incorrect attention. At the fourth dimension, I had simply used concealer and mascara. I was told because I used makeup and highlighted my pilus, I looked similar a prostitute instead of a fresh-faced teenage girl. This was the offset of many confusing messages I received equally a immature woman. Either my makeup made me look too grown upwards, seductive, or not feminine enough.

Later, when I met my husband, he taught me just how beautiful I am without makeup, beautiful hair, or fancy clothes. His favorite thing is when I wear makeup with a messy bun and a t-shirt. To brand an attempt is a way to show him I love him. On the flip side, this is the same man who loves seeing me in my natural art grade when we work out, run early morn errands, or get hunting. My married man taught me to view myself through the lens of God who created me with the states care and wonder. I learned my identity isn't in the correct shade of foundation, but my identity is firmly found in my Creator God.

The point? No matter how women use makeup or wear clothes, we live in a culture that criticizes women. Gendered expectations around appearance vary drastically from church building to church or community to community depending on the civilisation. But the data shows that, regardless of the environment, women face more scrutiny than men about how they expect and what they wear. Ane written report found that on average women spend about 3276 on training whereas men will spend i,092. The additional amount of time equates to ten full working days. That's a lot of extra time and energy to put into something that is supposed to brand us feel ameliorate about ourselves. But it can often lead us astray.

Is it a Sin to Wear Makeup?

Some Christians believe it is wrong for women to article of clothing makeup, citing passages that seem to prohibit it. These people also believe a adult female shouldn't braid their hair nor wear anything but skirts or dresses. While nosotros want to live our lives in a fashion that respects and honors God, we must be careful our views and opinions that do not go beyond the Give-and-take of God reallysays. It is a sin to teach human being-made ideas as commands from God (Mark 7:7).

A glance equally the nearest magazine rack is likely all the evidence yous need to know our culture values beauty, seduction, and a charm over godliness. But it'southward non just our culture. Women accept been altering their advent since the starting time of time when Eve along with her husband covered their bodies with leaves.

In fact, the first utilise of makeup tin can be traced back to vii,000 years ago with the ancient Egyptians. Archeologists have even found canisters of makeup in tombs. Researchers recall Cleopatra used lip color created from basis cherry beetles for hue.

Photograph Credit: © Getty Images/jacoblund

What Does the Bible Say well-nigh Makeup?

Biblically speaking, we can discover a few passages virtually beauty rituals and makeup. When Esther entered the palace, she went through a twelvemonth-long beauty ritual for purification and cosmetics.

Each young woman'south turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus subsequently she had completed twelve months' preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: vi months with oil of myrrh, and half-dozen months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women (Esther 2:12, NKJV).

The NIV translates the passage as:

Before a young adult female's turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of dazzler treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics.

When it comes to how women adorn themselves, there are few verses almost makeup or cosmetics. The passages nosotros exercise find are warnings and words of wisdom to remind u.s.a. God doesn't care well-nigh our outward appearance but what is within our hearts. We would do well to call back Proverbs 31:20, "Charm is deceptive, and dazzler is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."

The passages nosotros exercise find (1 Timothy ii:9-10, Jeremiah iv:30, 1 Peter 3:iii-4) have one common thread, it'southward the intent of why we adorn ourselves in the commencement place. Nosotros find that God isn't opposed to women looking beautiful. We detect God is opposed to women looking seductive and worldly.

Having the Right Intentions

To reply the question 'what does the Bible say virtually makeup,' we demand to accost the intention behind the use of makeup. What intentions do you accept when you go dressed for church, the gym, or work? What thoughts run through your mind when you're planning a night out with your friends? Are you dressing to print others or is your identity found in God? We must remember where our truthful identity lies. Our worth is found in Christ. When we forget, we get out ourselves open to believing the lies of the world: "I'm ugly without makeup." "I'm not pretty plenty." "I'm not as pretty every bit her." God also crafted our heart in His likeness. He wants our identity, confidence, and security to come from the foundation every bit His girl—not how we raise our looks. Equally the scripture states, God "looks at the hidden person of the heart", and that is "very precious in the sight of God."

As cliché as it sounds, God does care almost your outward advent, but He cares about your heart more. He carefully crafted and wove yous together in your mother's womb. He took care to create your heart color, the hue of your hair, and fifty-fifty planned how you would expect right down to the very placement of your freckles.

When we put on makeup, we need to conscientious that it doesn't go an idol. Scripture warns us that nosotros should never focus so much on the exterior appearance at the cost of neglecting our insides. When nosotros practise—it leads to more believe more lies, creates cocky-worth issues, and more than sin.

one Peter iii:iii-iv "Your beauty should non come up from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gilded jewelry or fine dress. Rather, information technology should be that of your inner self, the unfading dazzler of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."

ane Corinthians half-dozen:12 "I have the right to do annihilation," you say–but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do annihilation"–but I volition non be mastered by anything."

Ephesians iii:17-19: "I pray that y'all, beingness rooted and established in dearest, may have power, together with all the Lord'southward holy people, to grasp how broad and long and high and deep is the dearest of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

As daughters of God, we are free to wear makeup so long as we do and then with pure motives. Always remember God cares and so much nearly the beauty of your soul. He wants us to apparel ourselves in His love and character so that we reflect Him. Ultimately, we are His masterpieces—His creations. He is the ultimate artist who fashioned us and called us, "very proficient."

Heather Riggleman is a laic, wife, mom, writer, social media consultant, and full-fourth dimension author. She lives in Minden, Nebraska with her kids, high school sweetheart, and iii cats who are her entourage effectually the homestead. She is a one-time honour-winning journalist with over ii,000 articles published. She is full of grace and grit, raw honesty, and truly believes tacos can solve just about whatsoever situation. You tin find her on GodUpdates, iBelieve, Crosswalk, How-do-you-do Darling, Focus On The Family, and in Brio Magazine. Connect with her at www.HeatherRiggleman.com or on Facebook.