Author: P. G. Mickletz
Outward appearances mean much to man, but nothing to God. This profound Bible truth is stated in the Old Testament: “But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” I Sam. 16:7.
While man places great value on things which reflect his material status, God desires that we seek inward purity, an honorable character, and spiritual nobility.
Man may glory in his ancestry and family background. But this does not impress God.
Man may delight in his physical prowess, mental skills, or social prestige. Again, God is not impressed.
The finest clothes, the newest automobiles, the most luxuriously furnished homes, and the most beautifully landscaped yards are definite symbols to man of his material success. Yet these contribute nothing to his standing before God.
Human learning, higher education, and higher and higher academic degrees may exalt the wisdom of man. Man’s spiritual rank before God, however, is not determined by his intellectual development or amount of formal schooling.
No, the Lord does not see as man sees. The Lord is concerned with man’s humility, not pride; his character, not reputation; his sacrifice, not wealth; his service to others, not preeminence over them; his spirituality, not physical attractiveness or strength of body; his brotherly love, not ancestral stock; and his devotion to the teachings of Christ, and not clothing, automobiles, homes, furniture, college degrees, or fame.
Pride indeed is the deadliest and most destructive of all sins. The Bible teaches that the “proud in heart” are an abomination to the Lord. (Prov. 16:5).
We may impress ourselves and others with material success, but they become mere flimsy veneer before the powerful, penetrating eye of Almighty God, from whom nothing is hidden,”for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”
