How attractive are you?

On a certain cold night, my friends and I went out to a restaurant to have dinner. On our way back home, a discussion evolved. A discussion about ladies. This, of which I believe you can testify to, is a very common topic discussed among Single Guys. One of my friends started talking about his ex-girlfriend and how her beauty was what attracted him to her. It was then another friend asked what attracts each one of us to ladies we see or consider to be a potential wife. Each individual gave their own answers, some of which I cannot write about. After I heard what their answers were, I could not but shake my head in disagreement and disgust.

So what really makes us attractive? How does the bible define attractiveness? 

"For women (substitute 'women' with 'men' for the purpose of this article) who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do." 1 Timothy 2:10

According to this scripture, the way God defines being attractive is clearly different from the way the world defines it. The dictionary defines the word attractive as:

 "Providing pleasure or delight, especially in appearance or manner; pleasing; charming; alluring."

It is good to wear beautiful clothes, but not those that expose the parts of the body that reveals our nakedness. I remember my first summer in the United States of America. While I was taking a walk down the street on a hot sunny afternoon, I saw a lady with just lingerie on. All I could say at that moment was "Olorun o," which means "Oh God." It did not take long before I discovered that it was a norm for most American ladies to wear such during the Summer. I have heard ladies say that they wear clothes that reveal their body a lot because that is what gets the attention of most men. I do not disagree with this; but then I ask them the type of men that approach them and their answer was not surprising. The men who approached them were those who just wanted some sexual benefits. But why do ladies keep on wearing similar outfits even when they are aware of the consequences? "Maybe the right guy will come that way... Maybe he will change his thoughts about having sexual benefits when he gets to really know me...Maybe this...Maybe that.." Those are the words I hear in response. 

What we ought to worry about instead is ourselves. Are we helping others as much as we can? Are we living a life that glorifies God? Are we focusing more on eternal things than we are focusing on earthly things? Are we one of those who wear clothes that expose our body? Are we attractive according to God's definition or the world's definition? 

The truth is that there is more to being attractive than wearing makeup, jewelry, nice shoes, have a beautiful body, nice car, and a nice house. These things are important but they should not be what determines your attractiveness. These qualities should not be the guidelines for selecting a life partner.  Remember that the beauty of today might fade away tomorrow. Remember: 

"Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised." Proverbs 31:30

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 1 Peter 3:3

The question now is: How attractive are you?