HOW CAN WE AVOID JUDGING ONLY BY APPEARANCE?
(1 Samuel 16:1-13):
"But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge
by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t make
decisions the way you do! People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD
looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
REMEMBER THAT GOD LOOKS BEYOND APPEARANCE
(Matthew 9:9-12).
Saul was tall and handsome; he was an impressive looking
man. Samuel may have been trying to find someone who looked like Saul to be
Israel’s next king, but God warned him against judging by appearance alone.
When people judge by outward appearance, they may overlook individuals who lack
the particular physical qualities society currently admires. But appearance
doesn’t reveal what people are really like or their true value.
Fortunately, God judges by faith and character, not
appearances. And because only God can see on the inside, only he can accurately
judge people. Most people spend hours each week maintaining their outward
appearance; they should do even more to develop their inner character. While
everyone can see your face, only you and God know what your heart really looks
like. Which is the more attractive part of you?
BIBLE READING:
KEY BIBLE VERSE: When he heard this, Jesus replied, “Healthy
people don’t need a doctor-sick people do.” (Matthew 9:12)
TRY TO SEE THE WORLD FROM GOD’S POINT OF VIEW
(Matthew 15:1-20). "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away". (Matthew 15:8)
The Pharisees constantly tried to trap Jesus, and they
thought his association with these “lowlifes” was the perfect opportunity. They
were more concerned with their own appearance of holiness than with helping
people, with criticism than encouragement, with outward respectability than
practical help. But God is concerned for all people, including the sinful and
hurting ones. The Christian life is not a popularity contest! Following Jesus’
example, we should share the gospel with the poor, immoral, lonely, and
outcast, not just the rich, moral, popular, and powerful.
TRY TO SEE OURSELVES FROM GOD’S POINT OF VIEW
(2 Corinthians 11:1-15).
These people are false apostles. They have fooled you by disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:13)
We work hard to keep our outward appearance attractive, but
what is in our hearts is even more important. The way we are deep down (where
others can’t see) matters much to God. What are you like inside? When people
become Christians, God makes them different on the inside. He will continue the
change process inside them if they only ask. God wants us to have healthy
thoughts and motives, not just healthy food and good exercise.
BEWARE OF APPEARANCES.
Satan and his servants can deceive us by appearing
attractive, good, and moral. Many unsuspecting people follow smooth-talking,
Bible-quoting leaders into cults that alienate them from their families and
practice immorality and deceit. Don’t be fooled by external appearances. Our
impressions alone are not an accurate indicator of who is or isn’t a true
follower of Christ; so it helps to ask these questions: (1) Do their teachings
confirm Scripture (Acts 17:11)? (2) Do the teachers affirm and proclaim that
Jesus Christ is God who came into the world as a man to save people from their
sins (1 John 4:1-3)? (3) Are their lifestyles consistent with biblical morality
(Matthew 12:33-37)?
GOD’S WORD ON APPEARANCE
HOW IMPORTANT IS MY OUTWARD APPEARANCE TO GOD?
Proverbs 31:30 . . . Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not
last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
1 Peter 3:3-4 . . . Don’t be concerned about the outward
beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful
clothes. You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the
unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.
1 Samuel 16:7 . . . People judge by outward appearance, but
the Lord looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.
James 1:23 . . . If you just listen and don’t obey, it is
like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your
appearance.
Outward beauty reveals what we look like. Inner beauty
reveals who we are. Walking with God causes us to reflect his beauty.
HOW CAN APPEARANCES BE DECEIVING?
1 Samuel 16:6-7 . . . When they arrived, Samuel took one
look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!” But the Lord
said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected
him. The Lord doesn’t make decisions the way you do! People judge by outward
appearance, but the Lord looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.”
Matthew 23:28 . . . You try to look like upright people
outwardly, but inside your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness. The condition of our skin cannot reveal the condition of our
hearts.
CAN I TRUST SOMEONE BASED ON THEIR APPEARANCE?
Isaiah 53:3 . . . He was despised and rejected-a man of
sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked
the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care.
Matthew 23:28 . . . You try to look like upright people
outwardly, but inside your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Appearances can often be misleading. Jesus came to earth as
a man and was rejected and murdered by his chosen people. Be careful not to
judge someone based on how he or she looks.
HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO MAINTAIN A GOOD APPEARANCE?
Colossians 3:16 . . . Whatever you do or say, let it be as a
representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to
God the Father.
Matthew 7:20 . . . Yes, the way to identify a tree or a
person is by the kind of fruit that is produced.
As you walk with Christ, people will watch to see if your
faith is genuine. Your actions will reveal what’s in your heart.
PROMISE FROM GOD:
1 Samuel 16:7 . . . People judge by outward appearance, but
the Lord looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.
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