From makeup to face painting, humans have long used artistic expression on their faces. Does the Bible mention anything about this? While there is no specific verse on makeup, scripture does speak to modesty, inner beauty, and how we present ourselves. Let’s explore what the Bible says about these outward expressions.
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What Does The Bible Say About Painting Your Face
1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
This verse reminds us that God values the condition of our hearts rather than our outward appearance. While painting our faces may be a form of self-expression or cultural practice, what truly matters is our inner character and our relationship with God.
It is important to remember that our identity and worth should not be defined by external beauty or the opinions of others, but by our faith and connection with God.
1 Chronicles 29:17
I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.
This verse highlights the importance of having integrity in our actions. While painting our faces may not necessarily be a display of dishonesty, it serves as a reminder that true integrity comes from a genuine and willing heart.
Instead of focusing solely on external appearances, we should strive to cultivate a heart that is pleasing to God by demonstrating integrity, generosity, and sincerity in all that we do. Our actions should be motivated by a desire to honor and glorify God, rather than seeking validation or attention from others.
2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
This verse reminds us that our physical appearance is temporary and subject to change. While painting our faces may enhance our outward appearance temporarily, true renewal and transformation come from within through our relationship with God.
As Christians, we should focus on nurturing our inner selves and allowing God’s love and grace to shape us. Our true beauty lies in the character traits of love, kindness, humility, and compassion that radiate from within, rather than solely relying on external enhancements.
Psalms 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
This verse reminds us of the inherent beauty and worth that God has placed within us. We are fearfully and wonderfully made in His image, and our uniqueness is a testament to His marvelous creation.
While painting our faces may be a form of personal expression or creativity, it is important to remember that our true beauty lies in the way God has intricately designed us. We should embrace and celebrate our individuality, recognizing that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by the hand of our loving Creator.
1 Timothy 2:9
Also, the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing, with decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive attire;
This verse emphasizes the importance of modesty and inner character over outward adornment. While painting our faces may be a form of personal expression, it is crucial to approach it with modesty and humility.
Our focus should be on cultivating a spirit of humility, modesty, and inner beauty that reflects our devotion to God. We should avoid excessive adornment and strive to display a demeanor that is respectful, dignified, and honorable in the eyes of both God and others.
Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
This verse reminds us that true beauty goes beyond external appearances. While painting our faces may enhance our charm momentarily, it is fleeting and ultimately insignificant compared to the beauty that results from a deep reverence and fear of the Lord.
We should prioritize cultivating our relationship with God and striving to live in a way that glorifies Him, rather than placing excessive importance on our outward appearance. A woman or man who fears the Lord and seeks to honor Him in all things is worthy of praise and admiration.
Matthew 6:25-27
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
This passage reminds us of the futility of worrying and excessively focusing on our physical appearance. While painting our faces may be an enjoyable activity for some, it is essential to remember that our true value and worth come from our relationship with God.
Instead of worrying about external appearances or seeking validation from others, we should place our trust in God’s provision and care. He lovingly provides for all of His creation, and our worth extends far beyond our outward appearance.
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
This verse encourages us to resist conforming to the superficial standards of the world, which often place excessive emphasis on external appearances. Instead, we should allow our minds to be transformed by God’s truth and align ourselves with His will.
While painting our faces can be a personal choice, we should ensure that it aligns with God’s principles of modesty, humility, and authenticity. We should not be swayed by worldly pressures, but rather strive to cultivate a Christlike character that reflects our commitment to following God’s will in every aspect of our lives.
1 Peter 3:3-4
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
This passage emphasizes the significance of inner beauty over outward adornment. While painting our faces may be a form of self-expression or creativity, it should not be the sole source of our identity or value.
We should focus on cultivating a character that reflects the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which has great worth in the sight of God. Our true beauty lies in our inner selves, characterized by love, kindness, humility, and integrity, rather than external enhancements.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.
This verse reminds us of the fruits of the Spirit that should be evident in our lives as Christians. While painting our faces may be a personal choice, it should not overshadow the importance of cultivating these virtues.
Our focus should be on developing a character that is marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities exemplify the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and reflect the true beauty that God desires from us.
Proverbs 3:15-18
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.
This verse describes the value and worth of wisdom as being more precious than material possessions or external attributes. While painting our faces may serve various purposes, it is essential to prioritize seeking wisdom and discernment in our decisions.
A woman or man who seeks after wisdom is a source of life, blessing, and peace to those around them. Our pursuit of wisdom and understanding should far outweigh any superficial concerns or desires for external beauty.
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
This verse reminds us that all good things, including beauty, are gifts from God. While painting our faces may enhance our physical appearance temporarily, we should ultimately recognize that true beauty comes from God.
Instead of fixating on our external appearance, we should focus on cultivating a heart that is grateful for the gifts and blessings that God has bestowed upon us. Our true beauty lies in reflecting the love, grace, and goodness of our Heavenly Father to others.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
This verse affirms that we are uniquely designed and created by God for a specific purpose. While painting our faces may be a means of self-expression, our ultimate calling is to do good works that bring glory to God and serve others.
Instead of solely focusing on external appearances, we should prioritize aligning our lives with God’s will and seeking opportunities to make a positive impact on the world. Our true beauty is reflected in the way we reflect God’s love and serve others with humility and compassion.
Romans 13:14
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
This verse reminds us to prioritize spiritual growth and transformation over satisfying our fleshly desires and indulgences. While painting our faces may cater to our desire for self-expression or beauty, it is crucial to ensure that our actions align with our commitment to follow Christ.
We should focus on putting on the character and virtues of Jesus Christ, allowing His love, grace, and truth to permeate our lives. Rather than seeking to gratify our earthly desires, our priority should be to live in a way that reflects our identity as followers of Christ and honors God.
Colossians 3:14
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
This verse emphasizes the importance of love as the overarching virtue that should guide our actions. While painting our faces may be a personal choice, it is crucial to remember that our outward appearance should always be characterized by love.
Love binds together all the virtues described in the Bible, and it should be the driving force behind our decisions and actions. Instead of solely focusing on external beauty, we should prioritize cultivating a heart that is filled with love for God and others, treating all individuals with kindness, compassion, and respect.
Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
This verse reminds us that the kingdom of God is not centered solely around external practices or rituals. While painting our faces may be a form of personal expression, it should not distract us from the true essence of the Christian faith.
Instead of fixating on outward appearances, we should focus on cultivating righteousness, peace, and joy in our lives through the Holy Spirit’s presence. Our priority should be to live in a way that is pleasing to God and bring glory to His kingdom.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
This verse highlights the transformative power of accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. While painting our faces may be a way to express ourselves, it is essential to remember that true transformation occurs from within through our relationship with Christ.
When we surrender our lives to Jesus, we are made new in Him. Our focus should be on allowing His love and grace to shape us into the people He has called us to be, rather than solely relying on external means of expression or identity.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
This verse reminds us of the sacredness and purpose of our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. While painting our faces may be a personal choice, it is crucial to ensure that our actions align with the reverence and honor due to God.
Instead of solely focusing on external appearances, we should prioritize caring for our bodies in a way that honors God. This involves maintaining our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, recognizing that our bodies are not our own but have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
This verse reminds us that God’s perspective differs from worldly standards. While painting our faces may be a personal choice, we should remember that God’s focus is on the condition of our hearts and our relationship with Him.
We should strive to cultivate a heart that is pleasing to God, prioritizing our spiritual growth and relationship with Him over external appearances. Our true beauty lies in the qualities of love, integrity, and faithfulness that radiate from within, rather than relying solely on external enhancements.
1 John 2:16
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
This verse reminds us of the temptations and worldly desires that can distract us from God’s will and purpose for our lives. While painting our faces may be a personal choice, we should ensure that it does not become a source of excessive pride or vanity.
We should guard against the desire for external validation or attention and instead focus on cultivating a humble and surrendered heart before God. Our priority should be to align our lives with His Word, seeking His approval rather than seeking to conform to worldly standards.
1 Peter 3:3-4
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
This verse encourages us to prioritize inner beauty, characterized by a gentle and quiet spirit, over external adornments. While painting our faces may be a way to express ourselves, it should not overshadow the importance of nurturing our inner selves.
Our true beauty lies in reflecting the character of Christ through our actions and attitudes. Instead of solely focusing on our outward appearance, we should strive to cultivate a heart that is filled with love, kindness, humility, and compassion, which are of great worth in the sight of God.
Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
This verse highlights the importance of guarding and protecting our hearts, as they shape our thoughts, actions, and motivations. While painting our faces may be a personal choice, it is crucial to ensure that our actions align with the condition of our hearts.
We should prioritize nurturing a heart that is surrendered to God, seeking His will and desiring to live in a way that honors and pleases Him. Our external choices, including painting our faces, should be an overflow of a heart that is seeking to bring glory to God in all that we do.
Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
This verse encourages us to approach all that we do, including painting our faces, with a heart of dedication and excellence. While painting our faces may be a personal choice, it is important to remember that we should do it with the mindset of serving the Lord.
We should strive to honor God in all aspects of our lives, including our appearance, by approaching it with intentionality and dedication. Our ultimate motivation should be to please God rather than seeking the approval or validation of human beings.
Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
This verse reminds us that true beauty extends beyond external appearances and is not reliant on charm or physical attractiveness. While painting our faces may temporarily enhance our appearance, our focus should be on cultivating a heart that fears and honors the Lord.
A woman or man who fears the Lord and seeks to live in accordance with His Word is worthy of praise and admiration. Our true beauty lies in our character, integrity, and devotion to God, rather than external enhancements or societal standards.
Matthew 16:26
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
This verse serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of worldly achievements and possessions. While painting our faces may be a personal choice, it is important to remember that our focus should not be on obtaining external things at the expense of our spiritual well-being.
We should prioritize our relationship with God and the condition of our souls above all else. True fulfillment and eternal significance are found in following Christ and investing in what brings glory to God, rather than seeking temporary satisfaction through external enhancements.
Isaiah 61:3
And provide for those who grieve in Zion, to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
This verse speaks of the transformative power of God to bring beauty and joy into the lives of His people. While painting our faces may be a personal choice, it should not overshadow the redemption and restoration that God offers us.
God has the ability to turn our ashes into beauty, our mourning into joy, and our despair into praise. Our true beauty comes from being transformed by His love and grace. As we allow Him to work in our lives, we become a reflection of His splendor and a testament to His redemptive power.