If you’ve been online lately, you’ve probably seen the word looksmaxxing.
For the uninitiated: it’s the internet’s term for optimizing your physical appearance to the highest possible level.
We’re talking: skincare and workout routines with military precision, jawline analysis, “glow-up” content, and endless advice on becoming more attractive.
In short: become the best-looking version of yourself. To be fair, there’s nothing wrong with grooming, fitness, or taking care of yourself. But there’s a point where self-improvement slowly becomes self-worship.
The Bible’s counterpoint
When Samuel was choosing Israel’s next king, he naturally looked at the physically impressive options first.
God corrected him: “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
That verse has aged incredibly well, because thousands of years later, we’re still stuck in the same mindset. Judge the face. Measure the body. Assume character from aesthetics. We’re victims and perpetrators of the pretty privilege syndrome.
Beauty can open a door but cannot (and will not) carry a relationship.
Abs, symmetry, and style are all great things to develop. But Patience? Kindness? Faithfulness? These are the traits that survive conflict, stress, boredom, disappointment… and real life.
Apostle Peter puts it like this:
“Do not let your adorning be external… but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart.” (1 Peter 3:3–4)
Translation: yes the external matters, but the internal matters more.
What to max instead
By all means: get healthy, dress well, take care of yourself, build confidence… But don’t stop at face care when your soul needs work.
Try:
- kindness-maxxing
- peace-maxxing
- wisdom-maxxing
- fruit-of-the-Spirit maxxing
Sure, even the right person may initially notice what you look like on the outside. But they’ll stay (or leave) because of who you are on the inside.
