1. Modesty God Values a Meek and Quiet Spirit
Do we emphasize inner beauty over outward appearance?

2. Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

3. God Encourages Emphasizing the Inner Spirit!

4. 1 Peter 3:1-7
1Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 4rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 5For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

5. 1 Timothy 2:8-11
8I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission.

6. Do We Encourage Emphasizing the Inner Spirit?

7. In Other Areas of Our Lives
Does this reach every aspect of my spiritual life? – cf. Matt. 23:25-28; Luke 11:39-41
Paul had concerns about younger widows becoming busy bodies – 1 Tim. 5:11-14 (cf. 2 Thess. 3:10-12)
All men were to aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind their own business – cf. 1 Thess (1 Pet. 4:15)

8. The Inside Out Approach
When the inner spirit is right, it will manifest itself outwardly – Matt. 15:11-20
We must always guard our hearts – Prov. 4:23 (Psa. 19:14)
We must continually renew our minds – Rom. 12:1-2; Eph. 4:23; 2 Cor. 10:5 (cf. Psa. 51:10)

9. Practically Speaking
Does this mean I should dress as a duffel bag, that I may more greatly manifest my inner spirit?
God approves of beauty – cf. Ex. 28:40
Inner or outer beauty—which is more precious in the sight of God? Which should we value and emphasize more? – cf. Prov. 31:21-22, 30

10. Practically Speaking
Does this mean a woman should become a door mat or a wallflower?
Not at all – Prov. 31:23-29, 31 (note 1 Pet. 3;7)
Consider women such as Job’s daughters (cf. Job. 42:15), Esther, Ruth, Deborah, et al.

11. Practically Speaking
What about child training, the world and the inner man? – Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4; Deut. 6:6-7
How much time do our young people spend worrying about their looks? How much time do our young people spend worrying about their character?
Teach your children to value who they are over what they look like! – cf. Luke 16:15; Lam. 3:27

12. We must not enjoin this culture obsessed with outward beauty!

13. John 17:14-16
14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

14. 1 John 2:15-17
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

15. God values a gentle and quiet spirit!
What do you value?