Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. (1 Peter 3:3-4)

Treasured Highly By God

Many things please the heart of the Lord when He sees His creation obeying His will and following His wisdom. As Creator, God formed man and woman to give Him glory and to find happiness within themselves as His creation. Every problem men face comes from their rejection of the law of God. Sin is at the root of the misery of humanity. As a consequence of disobedience, the human race has suffered disease, war, hatred, strife, and death. This has not been what the Lord planned but men sought their own wisdom and suffered because of it.

In a world filled with disappointment, the Lord finds something that is very precious in His sight. He considers this quality of great value, immense value, and eternal worth. Peter describes a character that is unique to pleasing the Father so much it is said to be very precious in the sight of the Lord. It is not the external manifestations of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. God looks into the heart of man and when He sees the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, He is very pleased.

The fundamental difference between God and man is what measuring rule is used to ascribe praise. Men will adorn the outward appearance with youthful vitality, wealth, and beauty as a sign of prosperity. More often than not, this kind of beauty is only skin deep as the heart is corrupt, vile, and full of wickedness. Judging from the outside, praise and honor are bestowed in great measure by the voice of society that accepts the lie of Satan that life is about the carnal. Ironically, the steps of time mar the beauty of youth and nothing will stop it save death. Older men and women will take great strides to look younger while making themselves look more ridiculous in a futile attempt to return to a time long passed. When men judge one another by the outward appearance they use a failed measuring stick that will fade away.

God looks at the hidden heart for the truth of the character. He is not impressed with the adornment of arranging the hair, the wearing of precious stones, or wearing fine apparel. What men use to judge is rejected by the Lord as vain. When God sees the heart of a woman that is godly, humble, kind, and filled with love for the Divine, this is what is very precious and true. The Lord treasures most highly the heart of a man that is wholly devoted to Him, prayerful, filled with the Holy Spirit, and seeking to guide others to Christ. As the body decays, the inner spirit of the person grows younger in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Nothing pleases God more than to see that spirit manifests a greater sense of spiritual devotion to Him.

Ultimately, the one thing that is precious in the sight of God is that which will never be taken away. The adorning of the hair, wearing gold, and putting on fine apparel may fill a coffin but the body is dead and of no value. That which is precious in the sight of God will live on after death as the redeemed find the eternal precious reward of salvation. A gentle and quiet spirit will bring the soul to paradise. God sees the heart of the blessed as one who seeks a higher nobility found in Jesus Christ and not in the trappings of the world. What God sees as the most precious thing will be the reward of the words most precious to be heard by man: “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter in.”