True Beauty is only found in the Lord. We can imagine we’re looking pretty good in our rebellion, but it is not attractive. We’ll allow Isaiah 3:16-26 to reveal what happens when the pride of rebellion bears fruit,
“The LORD said:
Because the daughters of Zion are haughty
and walk with outstretched necks,
glancing wantonly with their eyes,
mincing along as they go,
tinkling with their feet,
therefore the Lord will strike with a scab
the heads of the daughters of Zion,
and the LORD will lay bare their secret parts.
In that day the Lord will take away the finery of the anklets, the headbands, and the crescents;
the pendants, the bracelets, and the scarves;
the headdresses, the armlets, the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets;
the signet rings and nose rings;
the festal robes, the mantles, the cloaks, and the handbags;
the mirrors, the linen garments, the turbans, and the veils.
Instead of perfume there will be rottenness;
and instead of a belt, a rope;
and instead of well-set hair, baldness;
and instead of a rich robe, a skirt of sackcloth;
and branding instead of beauty.
Your men shall fall by the sword
and your mighty men in battle.
And her gates shall lament and mourn;
empty, she shall sit on the ground.”
Obviously we should take care of our appearance. But outward beauty doesn’t compare to the eternal beauty of receiving Christ and becoming His bride through His atoning work on the cross. He will present her (men and women) whole without spot or wrinkle; radiating His beauty; carrying His fragrance rather than putrefaction; receiving freedom instead of bondage; victory instead of defeat; safety in His eternal Kingdom; never alone. The pleasure we find in sin doesn’t hold a candle to that.