Is makeup a sin - by Chukwudinma Nwankwo

Before I go into this, let me say something. Sometimes when I talk about topics like this, people think I’m trying to indoctrinate people or force my beliefs on them. But if you know me, you should know that is not my job. I’m not a religious leader, this is not my calling. What I am is somebody who speaks the truth with conviction. And I don’t say that because I heard something from somebody and decided to repeat it. I’m big on increasing your knowledge, sitting down, studying things for yourself, and knowing what is actually true from what is not, what you were told from how it was actually supposed to have been said. Now, is it right for women to wear makeup? If you know me, you probably already know my answer. Yes and no. Yes, because I believe there is nothing wrong with a woman wearing makeup. I know some people will say, “We were created in the image and likeness of God, so why should we alter ourselves?” But I think that comes from misunderstanding Genesis 1:26. God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” So what exactly is the image and likeness of God? Does it mean God has one head, two hands, two legs and all the physical features we have? Because if so, then how does God actually look? Jesus said in John 4:24 that God is Spirit. So when God said He created man in His image and likeness, He wasn't simply talking about physical appearance. It goes deeper than that. It speaks about our nature, our characteristics, our capacity to reason, create, relate and reflect certain attributes of God. And Genesis 2:7 makes this even clearer. God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into him the breath of life. So the physical formation of man is not saying that man's physical body is the physical form of God. Now, does that mean there are no limits? No. This is where my “no” comes in. The problem is not necessarily makeup. The problem is when it becomes excessive, when it becomes an obsession, or when it begins to take a place it shouldn't take. Scripture teaches moderation, modesty and self-control. So yes, you can wear makeup, but when you get to the point where you are completely distorting your face or becoming so obsessed with your appearance that you cannot function without it, then we need to ask deeper questions. And sometimes the extreme is not even physical. It can be in the heart. You can wear makeup and it doesn't affect your relationship with God, while someone else can wear the same makeup but has made it so important that it has become an idol. Imagine God is asking you to come into His presence at a particular time, but because you haven't finished your makeup or dressing up, you choose your appearance over responding to God. At that point, the issue is no longer makeup. The issue is your priority. This is why I say the act itself is not the problem; it is the heart of it. What is driving you? What place does this thing occupy in your heart? There are things God may personally tell someone to stay away from because He knows what that thing can become in their life, while another person can do the same thing without it affecting their walk with God. So, is it right for women to wear makeup? Yes. But no, I don't believe makeup should become your identity, your confidence, your obsession or something that takes the place of God. And if someone genuinely has a personal conviction that God is asking them not to wear makeup, I won't tell them they must wear it. But I also don't think we should take our personal convictions and turn them into commandments that Scripture never gave. At the end of the day, this conversation is bigger than makeup. It is about knowing what Scripture actually says, what we were taught, and what we have simply assumed. So wear makeup if you want to. Look beautiful. Take care of yourself. Just don't allow beauty to become your god.

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