APPEARANCE!!

1 Samuel 16:7 MSG

But GOD told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. GOD judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; GOD looks into the heart.”

 

In a culture and generation where looks seem to define everything, and beauty holds great importance—evident in the thriving beauty industry—it appears we are still making the same mistake as Prophet Samuel: judging by outward appearance alone.

What does "appearance" mean? 

Appearance refers to the way someone or something looks, the impression given by someone or something, an act of participating in a public event, or the act of arriving or becoming visible.

What does appearance look like today according to these definitions? 

For most people, personal appearance is everything. It matters in almost every aspect of life. But should it? According to God, appearances do matter, but His perspective is vastly different from popular culture's focus. In Matthew 7:20, the Bible emphasizes that how we look on the inside matters far more to God than our outward appearance. What truly counts is how we reflect Jesus, not how we strive for popularity or validation from people.

Man often focuses on the physical, but God looks beyond appearance. 

For example, Saul was tall, handsome, and an impressive-looking man. When Samuel was seeking Israel’s next king, he may have been inclined to choose someone resembling Saul. However, God warned him against judging by appearances alone. Judging people by outward appearance often leads us to overlook individuals who lack society's admired physical qualities. But appearance doesn't reveal a person's true character or value.

Is appearance a form of identification? 

Yes, appearance often serves as a form of identification. For instance, uniforms identify police officers, medical personnel, and other professionals.

We’ve all heard the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” But what does it really mean? 

Can we accurately determine someone's character based on their appearance, how they dress, act, or speak? Sometimes, yes, but often, no. For example, people with tattoos, piercings, dyed hair, or unconventional clothing are sometimes unfairly labeled as bad, hooligans, criminals, or no-good individuals. How do you judge others—by their physical appearance, the content of their heart, or their character?

Fortunately, God judges by faith and character, not by appearances. Since only God can see the heart, only He can judge accurately. While most people spend hours maintaining their outward appearance, they should dedicate even more time to developing their inner character. Everyone sees your face, but only you and God know what your heart looks like. Which part of you is truly more attractive?

We categorize people as beautiful, handsome, good-looking, well-dressed, rich, or well-to-do. We naturally gravitate toward these individuals, often without considering their character, attitude, or behavior. Conversely, we dismiss and disregard those who don't meet these superficial standards, as though they hold no importance or value.

However, 1 Peter 3:3–4 reminds us that what truly matters is not outer appearance—like hairstyles, jewelry, or clothing—but our inner disposition. We are called to cultivate inner beauty, the gentle and gracious kind that delights God.

Sadly, many people today judge others based on brands, styles, and the cost of their attire, using these to gauge someone's worth or value. Yet, in Matthew 23:28, Jesus warns: "Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness."

Appearance can be deceiving. Proverbs 31:30 tells us: "Charm can be deceiving, and beauty fades away, but a woman who honors the Lord deserves to be praised."

In the last decade, there has been a troubling shift in how we measure and judge others—a shift that is one-dimensional and ungodly. We must strive to see as God sees, rather than conform to society's shallow programming.

PRAYER: Father, help me to me godly-minded and discerning so that I don’t judge people based on the flesh in Jesus’ name, amen.

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/womenoflight/episodes/APPEARANCE-e30nrm3

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