“For the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
Remember the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast, and how the prince became a beast? An old woman comes to his castle asking for shelter and he is so repulsed by her appearance, he turns her away. She cautions him not look upon “outward appearances” but he ignores her and tries to send her away. She then reveals that she is a witch of some kind and casts this spell on him that turns him into an ugly, repulsive beast.
Or how about the toys on stuck on the Island of Misfit Toys in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer?
There is some important truth in these stories about judging by appearance.
And we are doing this all the time. We look at people’s clothes, cars, personal hygiene, wealth, good looks (or not) – all superficial things to make decisions and judgments about people. Sometimes if you listen carefully on the news, when bad things happen to people, it is often commented on how they were so “beautiful” or “attractive.” Does it mean that it isn’t so sad when “ugly” people have bad things happen to them?
Billions of dollars are spent each year on surgeries, cosmetics, clothes and other things all for the purpose of “looking good.” Consider our main cultural influences such as movies, television and other media – all based on appearance.
This above verse is from when Samuel is asked to seek out the new king of God’s people and thinks that Jesse’s oldest, most handsome son is the “one.” And God says to Samuel, “…man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
It is still true today. We look on the outward appearance in relationships, at work, at church, in school, in neighborhoods and communities. How one appears is the first and often the last factor in how consider and look at others.
How many times have we written off or avoided people who weren’t dressed “appropriately?” How many times have we come to conclusions about others before even getting to know them, based on things to do with their appearance?
God’s point to Samuel is very true today. Samuel was basing his decision on who “looked” like a king. The current king at the time, Saul, looked strong and handsome, but did not have a heart for God. And this is the heart of the matter.
First, we should imitate God when we “look upon others.” We need to have the ability to look through appearance to see and know someone’s heart before we come to any conclusions about them. I know, I know, it takes patience, it takes effort, it takes understanding – it takes the Holy Spirit’s help. But when you can look upon someone’s heart, it is always a blessing. Sometimes it is hidden deep beneath surface because of pain or hurt or the past. It is always worth the journey.
In high school and into college I had bad acne. I didn’t want to look in the mirror most of the time. And even though it was just my face, it affected my life. I think there were many times where I made it hard to look upon my heart. I was more concerned about appearance than heart. But there were some brave and patient people who hung in there and found it and I remain forever grateful. I like to think I am doing the same thing today when I reach out to those whose hearts are hidden or don’t fit in.
Second, we need to see others’ hearts because when we look at the outward appearance we can be easily fooled. While we are all spending so much time and money on our appearances, it is often designed to distract or hide our inside – which we fear might not be attractive or might be rejected. How many times have we thought we knew people based on what we saw and then realized that we were wrong? Too many times.
How easy was it Jesus’ time to have looked at him and said, “This is God’s Son?” He’s the carpenter’s son from Nazareth, they said. They missed the most beautiful heart the world has ever known.
Finally, when we focus on our outward appearance and not our inside or character, it is vain. God isn’t concerned with what we are wearing or how attractive we are. He is concerned about how our hearts are growing in faith and obedience to Him. It’s that ultimate judgment that counts – not today’s.
Maybe you feel like or know a “misfit.” Maybe you feel like or know “beasts.” Have hope, there are some Rudolphs and Belles out there who look beyond the surface to find the hearts of others.
Maybe you could be one who begins to “look upon the hearts” of others and find blessings and treasures you never imagined.
Amen.
Discussion Questions
- How much do you focus on appearance for yourself? For others? Is it working?
- Why do we look on the outward appearance?
- What does it take to see someone’s heart?
- What would be different if we were more purposeful about seeing others’ hearts?
Rev. Christopher B. Wolf
Isaiah 42:7
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christopher-B-Wolf/17378287393
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