Three Great Foes: First, the World (2) (Following Jesus Christ Rightly #17b)

Today we will consider another principle set forth in the Word of God that is contrary to the spirit of the fallen world in which we live. Here it is: We are not to give chief regard to the outward appearance of people, rather, we are to value highly godly character and holiness in others and ourselves. The spirit of worldliness tends to look upon and value the outward appearance of people more than, even in the place of, an evaluation of godly character. We live in a world wholly enamored with the image, with what appears to be attractive and winsome. But whereas man looks on the surface of things, on the outward appearance, God is concerned about the inward, spiritual condition of a person. “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7).