Vibrant Hope — Don’t be Swayed by Appearances

Sunday 6/2/2024

1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV) 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.”

In this verse, God instructs Samuel not to judge based on outward appearances but rather to look at a person’s heart. This emphasizes the importance of inner qualities such as character, integrity, and faithfulness over external attributes. We can live out this verse by making an effort to see people the way God sees them, focusing on their inner qualities rather than superficial characteristics. Doing this can help us build deeper and more meaningful relationships and prevent us from unfairly judging others.

Recommendations:

• Practice empathy and seek to understand the hearts and motivations of others.
• Cultivate inner qualities such as kindness, compassion, and forgiveness in our own lives.
• Avoid making snap judgments based solely on outward appearances or first impressions.

Prayer Points:

• Pray for the ability to see others as God sees them, looking beyond outward appearances to their hearts.
• Ask God to help you develop a heart that reflects His values and priorities.
• Seek wisdom in your interactions with others so that you may show grace and understanding rather than judgment based on external factors.

By Pastor AK Mannah