How Do You Think Jesus Feels About Cosmetic Surgery?

I was recently asked this sincere question by a sincere friend. To be perfectly honest I kind of knew where my convictions lay almost immediately; but I wanted to take some time out to think it over Biblically and theologically – not to mention discuss it with my wife. Proverbs 18:13 says “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.” So here’s my two pennies worth on what I believe Jesus feels about cosmetic surgery.

The Question
First thing is first, I want to clarify the actual question itself. I think what my friend was really asking was, ‘What does the Bible say about a Christian having cosmetic/plastic surgery?’ When he says Jesus “feels” I will assume he means what Jesus “thinks” or “teaches.”

Secondly, it is so vital to acknowledge that Jesus’s thoughts/feelings are not isolated from Scripture. Jesus is God, the living Word become flesh. He is the author of the Scriptures, and His will, purpose and instructions are declared in God’s Word; the 66 books which make up the Bible. The Scriptures do not contradict what Jesus thinks or feels. God has given us the Bible so that we may know Him and His ways. Whilst the Bible does not necessarily give us an answer to this question point blank, it most certainly gives us the principles by which we can govern our decisions.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

We’d be fools to think that by white-knuckling it and simply getting down to more Bible reading we can fully comprehend the mind of the Omniscient One. The Bible says “…who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counsellor?” (Romans 11:34). Let it be known that on this side of eternity we know in partial and eagerly wait until the perfect comes. (1 Corinthians 13:9-10).

Emergency, Reconstructive and Exploratory Surgery
Now, I’m no expert in surgical matters and I don’t want to give the impression that I am. But I do know that there are various types of surgery and each serves a very different purpose. Definition of terminologies often removes a lot of confusion. For e.g. emergency surgery could be performed to save a person’s life. This could mean amputation or even cardiac surgery. Reconstructive surgery could be performed to restore the bodily form or function otherwise destroyed through an accident. Burn victims usually benefit from this greatly. Exploratory surgery is performed for the good of the patient by locating a bodily ailment. This not only benefits the patient but medicinal knowledge in general. These all serve their individual purposes and are often performed to save lives. The life and wellbeing of the patient is the motivation behind these types of surgical procedures.

The Bible makes it clear that all life is precious in God’s eyes. All life comes from God. However the life of a human is more precious in God’s eyes than say a sheep. Jesus said “Of how much more value is a man than a sheep!” (Matthew 12:12). Humans have been made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Therefore, life ought to be protected and preserved. Humans ought to love one another and seek well for their neighbour. Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan who helped save the life of a stranger who was near death. So to rephrase this into a question – should life saving surgery be performed? Absolutely, for man has been made in the image of God. You have been fearfully and wonderfully made by God and you are no mistake (Psalm 139:14).

Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery, commonly called aesthetic or plastic surgery is a different kettle of fish altogether (different ball game for my american friends). Yes, it is surgery, but serves an entirely different purpose altogether. Unlike the other forms of surgery, cosmetic surgery is not performed primarily to save a life or restore a bodily function or form. It is to enhance the outward appearance of the body. I’m not talking about plastic surgery performed for skin regrafting after major burns. I think this is important and could potentially save a life. But I am referring primarily to cosmetic surgery which enhances the external appearance i.e. a breast augmentation, nose job, tummy tuck, eye-lids, chin jobs etc etc. Cosmetic quite literally means an improvement of the appearance only. Cosmetic is an adjective describing beauty, aesthetics, or appearance, especially concerning the human body. Similarly cosmetic restoration work done on a vehicle or building is designed to improve its appearance rather than its functionality or structure.

Vanity of Vanities
After studying God’s Word and seeking out various passages of Scripture I am affirmed in my conviction that cosmetic surgery as defined above is the result of sin. It is the product of a world gone crazy and living for self glory, self vanity and self indulgence. Cosmetic surgery is fuelled by self – to appear beautiful, draw attention to one self and appear normal in society. It is self centred and idolatrous and fuels self anxiety. The industry preys on the impressionable and vulnerable and exploits weak people. I believe it is vanity of the highest degree and is not God glorifying at all.

There is a whole industry which thrives off this. Millions of people every year spend a lot of money, time and grief to go through this. A wicked and sinful ‘Hollywood’ type of culture has poisoned the minds of millions of people telling them they are ugly and need to look a certain way. Not mention the ludicrous cost for having it done. This is money which could save the lives of people. This is money which could be used for the advancement of the Gospel. This is money which could be used to provide for the sick and needy. Would a Christian really want to spend money on themselves like this? I have my reasonable doubts.

Was Jesus Christ Beautiful?
Do you really love Jesus? Do you really want to follow in His footsteps? Then pattern your beauty after the Lord Jesus Christ. Take your eyes off yourself and get a glimpse of the supremacy and majesty of Jesus Christ. Did you know that God’s great goal in your life is not to make you beautiful on the outside, but to conform you to the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. In other words, He wants you to model your beauty after Him. But you should also know that Jesus was not physically beautiful to look at. This is what the Bible says:

…his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind (Isaiah 52:14)

For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3)

I like what Paul Washer preached at a youth conference:

What you need to know is that salvation is by faith and faith alone in Jesus Christ. And faith alone in Jesus Christ is preceded and followed by repentance. . . a turning away from sin, a hatred for the things that God hates and a love for the things that God loves, a growing in holiness and a desire not to be like Britney Spears, not to be like the world, and not to be like the great majority of American Christians, but to be like Jesus Christ! (Paul Washer, 2002)

The Christian Example
A disciple and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ is commanded to be an example to this world. Here are some ways which the Bible says you can do so:

• You are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13)
• You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14)
• Let your light shine before others (Matthew 5:16)
• Do not be conformed to this world (Romans 12:2)
• Seek the things that are above (Colossians 3:1)
• Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth (Colossians 3:2)
• Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised (Proverbs 31:30)
• But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. (1 Peter 3:4)

Be an example to this dying world. Don’t follow the foolish trends of this world. Show the world through God’s grace what true beauty is. Reflect a beauty of character and spirit. Practice spiritual beauty and let the world see Jesus through you. Everything in the Bible warns against the vanity of cosmetic surgery and for a Christian to go ahead with it, would mean they would go against many of the principles laid out in the Scriptures. Remember, God looks at the heart, man looks at the appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).

A Biblical Balance
But by being spiritual people, this is not an excuse to forsake hygiene or appearing clean, smart and tidy. We must be approachable, honourable and bring glory to God through our appearance. It is not good enough to say that because we are spiritual people we should not care about presentation. If we are to be light and salt and reflect Christ’s glory, we must ensure that we are modestly presentable. But this should not come at the cost of excessive vanity and self glory. Our appearance, beauty, conduct, clothing, dress and external appearance should all point to Jesus Christ. We should be careful not to draw attention to ourselves but to draw attention and glory to Jesus Christ. He alone is worthy of all glory, honour and praise. John the Baptist said “He must increase, I must decrease” (John 3:30).

God’s offer of surgery
Finally, God offers surgery too. But it is surgery of a different kind. It is a surgical operation which will save your life from an eternity in hell, separated from the beauty of God’s presence. You will surely die because the wages of sin is death. However, God offers to operate on your heart which is plagued with sin. By repenting towards God and putting your faith in the Lord Jesus, God offers to replace your heart of stone with a heart of flesh. A heart which is able to respond to God and a heart which is more concerned with pleasing God than pleasing man.

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:25-26)

Let me leave you with a video clip which will challenge you. Before you complain about your nose, ears, eyes or tummy, watch this inspirational video clip of Nick Vujicic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSQqyi3DKAs&feature=player_embedded

That I May Know Him 2010

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Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: By Vic Gill. That I May Know Him. Website: ThatIMayKnowHim.co.uk

Tags: Beauty, Cardiac surgery, Cosmetic surgery, Emergency surgery, Nick Vujicic, Reconstructive surgery

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