What does it mean that charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain?
But a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30
ESV - 30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
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Asked May 26 2013
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Candice Mailman
Supporter
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Bruce Graham
Supporter
Candice, this is my understanding of this Proverb; First of all, to be 'charming' to people, is to represent ones self as something that one wants others to believe they are (eg. saying nice things to someone you dislike and really don't mean what you are saying in your heart) instead of allowing others to see who you really are. This is deceitful. Today, we might say of this that 'someone says one thing and does another'. To charm another is to use what means are necessary to obtain some personal gain, whatever that gain might be. But be assured there is some gain sought, if only to be accepted by another. Beauty being vain, simply put is Pride. If one is 'beautiful' by the standard set by society, and believes themselves to be so, often leads to being prideful that they are. This is a very superficial personal value being based on appearance and not on the inner person. Lucifer (Light Bearer), was the most powerful and had the highest status of all the heavenly host. Because he saw his own beauty as great, he became full of pride and counted himself worthy to sit on God's Throne, and so the war in heaven began. We know the result of Lucifer's Pride. We know that He used his ability to charm 1/3 of the host of heaven to go to war against God. For this reason it is written "Pride comes before the fall." The message of this Proverb is this: To be deceitful and full of pride will only bring destruction, but a woman who fears the Lord will not allow herself to be deceitful or vain because she has fear (reverence) for the Lord, and will be humble before Him and all people because her real beauty is within her, not in her appearance. It is written, "People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord searches the heart." I hope that this might help you, God Bless.
Cam Anour
Supporter
Hello, I wouldn't dig too deep into it. Accept the superficial meaning. I personally believe that this proverb had been directed to men. Proverbs 31:30: Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Charm defined: The power or quality of giving delight or arousing admiration. In this definition, think of make-up women wear. It's not their true appearance, it's deceitful but it's harmless. They're not sinning by lying. On the other hand, vanity may arise from beauty. Vanity is not of God and is usually accompanied by other unwanted personality traits; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. No matter how beautiful her appearance, her cup will not be overflowing with vanity and that is a trophy wife. That is a woman to be praised and sought after by men. It is not a sin to be appealing in appearance, it is a gift not only to the owner of the beauty but to those who behold the excellence of God's artistry.
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