People Look At The Outward Appearance, But The Lord Looks At The Heart
Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover
1 SAMUEL 16:7
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.””
I Samuel 16:7 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1sa.16.7.NKJV
Samuel may have been looking for someone to be Israel’s next king, and Soul was an impressive looking man, tall and handsome.
But God warned him against judging by appearance or physical stature.
Many people judge a person by outward appearance, but the truth is, it is far to easy to overlook quality individuals who lack the physical qualities society currently tends to admire.
Just as you cannot judge a book by its cover, appearances do not reveal what a person is really like or what their true value is.
Fortunately, God does not judge by outward appearance, He judges by faith and inward character.
Only God can see into our hearts; He sees who we really are from the inside and only He is qualified to bring judgement.
Since it is impossible for us to fully judge people, we must be wise, testing everything we see and hear.
Jesus said, “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.”
Matthew 24:11 NKJV
We see them and hear them on major media platforms-YouTube, Facebook, and on your TV screen. They come through books and even manage to get into our churches.
Don’t be sucked in by the false teachers and prophets of today, but rather test the source of which they speak.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.”
I John 4:1-3 NKJV
There are many bringing false teachings and prophecies in this world, and it’s often difficult to discern at times.
Whilst we must be careful not to walk in false prophecies, we need not necessarily come against them either. For even if it doesn’t sound right, they might be of God.
Therefore, be wise and slow to speak negativity over such people, but rather pray and ask for revelation and discernment.
“And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.””
Acts 5:38-39 NKJV
Therefore, in everything, test and approve in the Spirit, the source, for mans opinion counts for nothing, it’s God’s opinion that counts.
Jesus is the only One we can fully believe and the Holy Bible is the only book you can fully trust.
The devil puts a lot of effort into infiltrating your mind; he wants to confuse and control you, and fill you with falsities.
He wants to damage your character and fill you with his army of demons and unclean spirits to use you for his purposes.
The truth is, he came to steal, and to kill, and to destroy (JOHN 10:10), and he’s good at it.
Just like sin, false doctrines and prophecy, is a doorway to let the devil in.
He wants to destroy your marriage, your ministry, your career, your health, your finances, indeed your life; he wants to steal your peace, your joy, and even your giftings, and ultimately he wants to bring about eternal death.
Today we see so much division in our churches because different opinions, doctrines and beliefs.
The devil has, with his invisible army of unclean spirits and demons, brought false teachings, religions, fear, depression, and even suicides; he has broken the world financial systems, corrupted our governments, destroyed businesses and closed or corrupted many churches.
He is influencing our children through what is taught in schools and through the media and the brain washing electronic games that twist people’s minds.
Thank God for Jesus Christ, He came to give us life, that we may have it abundantly (JOHN 10:10).
He is the way, the truth, and the life, the only way to our Father in heaven (JOHN 14:6).
We can gain knowledge by study, but truth and understanding comes only from the indwelling Holy Spirit (JOHN 14:26).
The Holy Spirit joins with our spirit , and “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”
Romans 8:16-17 NKJV
Furthermore, “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”
Ephesians 1:11-14 NKJV
If we are going to remain right with God and not be sucked in by the world and it’s evil things, we must look deeply into ourselves.
Many people spend hours every week maintaining their outward appearance, but the truth is, we should spend even more time developing our inner character and heart felt attitudes.
God sees our every thought, nothing gets past Him, neither good nor evil and we shall all face the consequences of that as He reshapes us into His likeness.
God uses our failings to shape and mould us into the people He wants us to be, and at times, the process can be painful and very traumatic.
But these trials and tribulations come with real purpose.
James said, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
James 1:2-4 NKJV
Like David in PSALM 139:23-24, we must ask God to search our hearts to try us and know our anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in us; that He will cleanse us from the inside, take us through the fire of purification and lead us to life everlasting.
My beloved, only God knows our hearts, only He can change us from the inside, but He needs our full cooperation to do it.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:1-2 NKJV
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
