I had a great question posted that I thought I would discuss about being a model. Here is the question:
What does the bible say about modelling?
-Tara
What the Bible Has to Say About Being Being a Model or Modeling (sometimes spelled modelling)?
Thanks so much for the question Tara. This is a great question because society, careers, technology, and so forth have certainly changed since biblical times. First of all I assuming you mean being a female model…as in being some sort of fashion model, magazine model, television model, etc. for some sort of advertising.
The bible does not specifically mention the word “model” in terms of a career, and in fact, I highly doubt there were many models in the context we think of today. They only had scrolls & clay tablets back then, and no television, magazines, cameras, billboards, etc. So the need to display a model would be very rare. The only thing I could imagine that may have been modeled is if there was a person who would perhaps model clothing or jewelry back then in a large merchant area or for a king, but it probably wouldn’t have been a common occurrence for sure.
Because there was no television, magazines, pictures, billboards, advertisements (Ads), etc. back then, modeling wasn’t really mentioned, just like Google, the internet, or cell phones aren’t mentioned in the bible. It simply wasn’t a feasible or practiced career back then, so the bible is silent on the issue. However, we can take the basic principles of the bible and apply them to this career to see what we should think about it.
Is Being a Female or Male Model a Sin According to Bible Principles?
Being a model, in general, is perfectly fine & acceptable. There is nothing wrong or sinful about being a model. It is a perfectly respectable career. Just like there is nothing wrong with acting, singing, etc. Beauty is absolutely a God-given talent. I believe God gives us all a talent or inclination to do something better than others or to use it as a career, and beauty is no exception.
The bible does say that we are to use the gifts God gave us to represent God in a great way (to glorify God), and to provide for our family in an honest & loving way. The bible says God gives man (as in mankind) the ability to do work, make a living, earn wealth, etc.
“But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. (Deuteronomy 8:18)
There are tons of ways people can be a model. There are clothing models, makeup models, hair models, teeth models, hand models, billboard models, television models, magazine models, feet models, and more. Basically, a person can “model” or “represent” almost anything. There is no shame in using a God given talent to earn a living. Again, physical beauty (a great body, a great face, great hair, etc.) is absolutely a God given blessing.
It provides value (or utility) for a company, because it allows a person to “see” what the product can do or look like in a 3-dimensional way. Therefore, companies often hire models to help increase their sales, or build a “brand” or “image” around a product.
Can Modeling Ever Be Considered a Sin? Should People Be Cautious & Use Discretion in Choosing Modeling Jobs?
Here comes a tricky part: While modeling itself isn’t a sin, it can be used in a way which is inappropriate & could be viewed as sinful in God’s eyes. This is the part we must all keep in mind. Anything can be taken & used in a corrupted way. A knife is fine to cut bread or a steak, but when we use it to kill it becomes a sin. Or acting is fine when a person is in a normal movie, but when a person does pornography it becomes a sin. Modelling is fine as a career, but when used inappropriately, it too becomes a sin.
Some examples of a sinful use of modeling is a woman posing nude for pictures or video, modeling for a cause that the bible does declare as a sin (example: Modeling for a pro-abortion ad), etc.
An issue with modeling that you may also want to be cautious is the “type” of modeling, and the “clothing” or “product” you will represent. For example, there in nothing at all wrong with modeling an outfit in a retail store flyer, magazine, or billboard. However, modelling in a bra & underwear that is very revealing is something that is a little more “questionable,” especially if this is going to be broadcast publicly. A good rule of thumb is, how would you feel about your grandfather looking at it (or God himself)?
The bible warns us about being as modest as possible, and covering up nakedness:
‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and of her daughter, nor shall you take her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; they are blood relatives. It is lewdness. (Leviticus 18:17)
So the bible makes it pretty clear that nudity is a gift reserved for our spouses eyes only. I would also briefly add that in addition to those things, if you are married or have children, you may want to consider your family’s input on the type of modelling, and how they feel about it. If your husband or children feel uncomfortable for you to model a certain product/thing, you may want to do a different job instead to be respectful of your family. If I were a model, I would certainly listen to my wife’s input & wishes.
What About Verses Warning Against Jewelry for Women & Vanity?
There are some verses that warn against women being excessively “vain” and adding too much makeup, extravagant jewelry, etc. An example can be illustrated below:
“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array…” 1Timonthy 2:9
The verse above is a warning not to be over-indulgent. There is no sin for a woman to occasionally wear jewelry, and in fact, the bible mentions God blessing people with fine jewelry, wealth, etc. on various occasions. What the bible is teaching in that verse above is that women should not constantly be focusing on material things too much, and should instead keep their focus on God. But in the context of modeling there is no sin, as the person would be merely displaying a product.
Again, here is a verse illustrating that wearing jewelry or having some material things is not a sin, and God even blesses people with things in several occasions in the Old Testament:
“And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck…” (Genesis41:42)
So as the verse above shows, there is no sin for a women or men to wear or model jewelry, clothing, etc. Women are free to wear jewelry any time, however, they should not put their love or trust in material wealth, and should be fairly modest in their approach (i.e., don’t have “bling bling jewelry” from top to bottom).
Also, it is important to be modest & humble in all that we do. If you became famous, would you still be humble? What is humble? I like a picture the bible paints of Jesus Christ, who got down & washed his disciples stinky & dirty feet–even though he was the Son of God & Messiah! That is humility! So if you could still clean a toilet at your house, or talk to a poor kid on the street, then you have kept your vanity in check. If you get to a point where you think you are “too good” for people, then that is pride and you must correct that & humble yourself (or else God has great ways of keeping us humble).
Conclusion: To Model or Not to Model, that is the Bible Question:
In conclusion, I would like to once again highlight the main points, then quickly give some final words:
- God gives us many wide ranges of talents to use to make a living (career)
- There is no sin in honestly using a talent God blesses us with to earn a living that is honest & respectable. Any type of physical beauty is definitely a God given talent or blessing.
- While the bible warns of women & men not focusing on material wealth (such as jewelry) & vanity, there is no sin in owning, wearing, or modeling some jewelry or nice clothing/products.
- Modeling is a great career for many people. While pursuing your career, you may want to be sensitive to your family’s thoughts & advice about the jobs you may take (your husband/boyfriend may not want guys looking at you in a skimpy outfit).
- Modeling can be sinful (like any other career), if used in a way that is inappropriate or promotes any sin. I would avoid anything that is too revealing of your body, or promotes a message that goes against God’s word (sexual promiscuity, etc).
So, I hope this article gives you some insight into the modeling career. Just remember that it is perfectly fine to pursue a career in modeling. Just avoid being vain (always be humble), use discretion & choose jobs that are appropriate, and you may want to consider your family’s input.
Thanks again for the great question, and God bless!
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Posted under Ask a Question, bible questions, career, money
This post was written by Revelation on April 26, 2009
