Free From Expectations

While there are a number of serious disadvantages to the high expectations that women feel concerning their appearance, criticism of these expectations appears to be backfiring. One of the latest responses to these expectations has been called “beauty-standard denialism.” This is roughly defined as speaking as though there are no expectations for beauty, when in fact they are as prevalent as ever.

The transformation that the Holy Spirit brings is both beautiful and, in some respects, a call for renouncing an unhealthy obsession with outward beauty. Peter encourages, “Do not let your adornment be merely outward … rather let it be the hidden person of the heart” (1 Peter 3:3, 4). Paul described the transformation that the Spirit brings: “To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).

To be carnally minded is to allow unhealthy obsessions to take control. The reverse of this is to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us into a life of freedom, for “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17). This means that when our desires seem out of control, or our culture is trying to constrain us, we receive the power to redirect our attention. What becomes central to us is pleasing God.

This does not mean that God wants us to be disengaged from the world around us. Otherwise, Jesus would not have said to the Father: “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one” (John 17:15). Most Christians will face situations where discerning the right thing to do is not easy. However, part of the promised growth is the guidance of the Holy Spirit: “When He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). When we rely on the Holy Spirit for moral guidance, He will teach us how to draw people to Jesus without becoming trapped.

Apply It:

Redirect the attention of someone who is unnecessarily worried.

Dig Deeper:

John 14:17; Galatians 5:22, 23; 2 Corinthians 3:17, 18

Key Bible Texts

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5 KJV)