GIRLS
Read It
1 Peter 3:3-4
“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.”
Discover It
Why is it so complicated and even dangerous for girls and young women in today's world? It’s because they are losing their identity, letting everyone else define them. New media defines her in how she should look, what she should wear, what is glamourous, popular, and cool. Old media had her with an apron and feather duster; the “dumb blonde” jokes abounded. Sub-groups tell them, “You’re a preppie, you’re goth, you’re a lesbian, you’re a brainiac.
Some girls and young women are being subverted by angry philosophical movements telling them to live in a state of rage, to reject the institution of the family, and to even abandon God. Other girls let their peers take the place of God. Imagine – a group of middle schoolers defining who you are – determining your eternity! We repeat the cliché stating that girls are, “sugar and spice and everything nice,” a phrase that appears nowhere in scripture. Transgender athletes (men) are prohibiting girls from running their own race. And drag culture mocks them with exaggerated features, objectifying them with sexualized mannerisms, speech, make-up, and dress.
And then there’s social media. Parents think it connects girls with their friends, but mostly they are being communicated to by mega-companies who spend millions of dollars to influence and define them. But where is our true identity? It lies of course in God our creator. And if you find your identity in the Lord, He will change your life!
Ask It
1. The first part of our Bible passage states that, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment.” So according to this verse, where do you think our true beauty lies?
2. The second part of our Bible passage says that your true beauty comes from within, “That of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.” What do you think this means?
Live It
1. It’s OK to fix up! Just don’t depend upon outward beauty which fades away. Develop the inner beauty as you walk in obedience to God and His word. It will never fade away.
2. You do this by committing your life, your looks, and your actions fully to Jesus Christ. Listen to Him. There are only two voices – the voice of God and the destructive voice of Satan. And any voice (from any source) that is counter to God’s word is the evil one trying to make you fall.
Pray It
Lord, I pray that You would unlock my heart that I might be fully alive to my true identity in You. Give me clear revelation to see myself the way You see me. Help me to stand in Your truth against all enemy attacks and guard my heart with all vigilance (Proverbs 4:23).