True Beauty Runs Deep

You have heard it said, "Beauty is skin deep."  The meaning of this statement is certainly true.  The longer a person knows someone the better acquainted they become.  They are seen for who they are, because time reveals hidden secrets and personality traits.  When a person becomes comfortable around you is when their true, moral fiber appears.

I have seen attractive women become quite ugly as I got to know them.  Though their beauty was like a rose on the outside, the ugliness within showed through, including the thorns.  But I have witnessed not so attractive people become beautiful, because their acts of kindness and loyalty to God were eye catching.  Their loveliness made them someone you wanted to be around.

Someone said, "You can’t judge a book by its cover," but we can read people if we are of a mind to do so.  The real them comes to the surface sooner or later, and we will see it if we are looking for such things.  Problems can arise when people gravitate toward surface-beauty rather than looking past the veneer to see the true essence of the person inside. 

The body is a housing for the soul, and the soul can be quite ugly without Christ.  Individuals may bluff purity and wholesomeness for a period, but the one they serve will show up, given time.  Those things that are seen must be seriously looked at when picking friends or a lifelong companion.  They are the telltale signs that reveal the sham in people.  Eventually they expose their pretense, because the devil cannot stay hidden.  His deceptiveness always shows the soul for what it is.

We must be vigilant and watch for the red flags and warning lights that are flashing.  These signs are shouting, “Wake up!  There’s danger ahead!”  If things don’t line up with God’s Word, take note and walk away from that person.  Run in the opposite direction.  

(2 Corinthians 6:14), "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.  For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?  And what communion has light with darkness?"  

Even though they appear beautiful on the outside, Stop, Look & Listen.  Don’t be in a hurry to take them at face value.  It is amazing what time reveals if we are looking for the signs.  A person that chooses to turn a blind eye and deaf ear to these signs is headed for trouble.  We must see and hear what God is showing us, and then act upon the knowledge we have.

The Bible says to shun the very appearance of evil.  Get away from it!  Run the other way!  It is easy to become entangled in Satan’s snare of deception if we stick around and toy with temptation.  We will get burned.

True beauty runs deep.  The love, sincerity, and godliness of a person that knows Jesus as Lord will be seen and recognized for what they are…a child of God.  Wholesomeness flows out from the inner most part of their being, because it is who they are, and it’s lasting.  The real them comes to the forefront. They stand the test of time, because godliness is lasting and pure.  The spirit within shows through…just as the sinful nature of an unbeliever shows through.

The beauty of the Lord runs deep when He makes His abode in a person’s soul.  The purity of speech that comes forth is true beauty that runs deep, but actions speak louder than words.  You will know them by their deeds. 

(Matthew 7:16-20)  “You will know them by their fruits.  Do men gather grapes from thorn-bushes or figs from thistles?"  vs.17 "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  vs.18 "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit." vs.19 "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."  vs.20 "Therefore by their fruits you will know them."

Written by,

Papa Boyd