True Beauty
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
We know that charm will not last. We know that the aging process will eventually run its course. The focus is on her character—on this woman who fears the Lord.
True Beauty
In God’s infinite wisdom and creativity, He has crafted magnificent things: stunning sunsets, awe-inspiring mountains, turquoise oceans, and beautiful people.
Proverbs 31 is a well-known chapter in the Bible about a God-fearing, hard-working, generosity-driven woman.
Interestingly, Proverbs 31 was written by a man—specifically, King Lemuel, although it’s technically advice from his mother that he shared when he was king.
Something that’s not obvious in non-Hebrew languages is that verses 10-31 actually make up an acrostic poem—
each verse beginning with one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, successively working their way from aleph to tau (from beginning to end).
Toward the climax of the poem, the author writes:
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30 NIV)
Deep down we know this to be true, don’t we?
True Beauty
Proverbs 31:30 AMP
[30] Charm and grace are deceptive, and [superficial] beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord [reverently worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect], she shall be praised.
No matter how charming or beautiful a woman is, we know that beauty is fleeting.
And We know that charm will not last. Also, We know that the aging process will eventually run its course.
In this passage, there’s barely any mention of this woman’s physical beauty.
Instead, the focus is on her character—on this woman who fears the Lord.
An earlier Proverb explains that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10)—
the humble realization that anything good and wise and pure and true must have come from Him.
So, if you know a woman like that—
one who loves and respects God,
And one who honors and cares for people,
Also, one who invests wisely and lives purposefully—
you might take a moment to thank God for her life.
And You might even consider how you can be more like her … as she aims to be more like Him.
Also Read: Choices: Two Ways to Live – Diademng (thediademng.org)
God, today I’m thinking of a woman I know who lives her life for You.
Protect and guide her.
Fill her with Your strength and hope.
I pray she finds her confidence in You, not in the physical beauty standard of the world.
Give her wisdom and perseverance as she lives for You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
True Beauty
