– Shaping our outward image in order to influence others positively –
When Samuel went to anoint God’s next chosen King, he was looking at the wrong things. God told him that, “The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT). So does it matter how we look, smell, act, or speak?
Yes, it does. But why we think about our appearance is even more important than what our actual appearance is.
Most people try to present themselves well so that they will be liked by others. Everyone likes to be told they look nice. Everyone likes to be popular. But where we look for our value is where we get our validation. Most people try to present themselves well in order to get validation from other people. But that is not healthy and leads to all sorts of problems. The healthiest thing you can do is get your validation from God, just like David.
But then why put any effort into how we come across to others? Some people don’t care about how they look or come across to others. Is that better? Paul said we should care how we present ourselves to others for the sake of helping them know God’s grace and truth: “… I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.” (1 Corinthians 10:33)
So we should receive our full validation as beloved children of God but we should also create an appealing appearance in order to direct others to God so that more people will be saved.
Our commitment to a godly presentation goes beyond our physical presence. I need to think about how I present myself online as well. Am I showing off who I met, what I ate, where I went, and what I made for my own pleasure? Am I wearing clothes that get more attention for my own benefit? Am I speaking in a way that gets people to like me so that I can feel better about myself? Research has shown that anyone who is going to social media for any of those reasons dramatically increases the risk of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and even self-harm. When we go to anyone besides God for our validation, it will lead to deeper hurt and pain.
But there is another option. I can use my social media presence for the sake of others. I can be appealing in a godly way for the sake of helping others find hope, encouragement, and true life. When anyone understands the power of an attractional life for Jesus, they have the opportunity to make a powerful impact in this world.
“I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
1 Corinthians 9:22b-23 (NIV)
Questions
- Do you care about what others think about how you look, talk, smell, act or post? Why?
- What do you think most about? The way you think, talk, smell, act, or post?
- What is something positive you can do with your presentation
- What is something you might want to release to God when it comes to your presentation?
- How can you start to honor God with your presentation? What way would you like to grow this week?
- What is the hardest part of having a godly purpose with your presentation? How can we pray for you in your pursuit of a healthy, godly presentation?
More Discussion Ideas
Alternate Descriptions
- Thinking about how what we wear, say, do, and post affects others
- Being intentional about dressing, speaking, and acting in a way that helps others
- Finding validation in God but creating an appeal to direct people to God
- Cultivating an appealing appearance in order to direct others to God