John 7:24 KJV
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1 Samuel 16:7 KJV
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.
Matthew Henry's commentary says,
"With reference to [Christ], his outward appearance was far short of his real dignity and excellency, for he took upon him the form of a servant (Phi_2:7), was in the likeness of sinful flesh (Rom_8:3), had no form nor comeliness, Isa_53:2. So that those who undertook to judge whether he was the Son of God or no by his outward appearance were not likely to judge righteous judgment"
All Scripture is true so there it is important that we avoid even the appearance of evil. But one of the real problems we have as people is that we make too muc of the appearance, even demanding in some cases that so long as the appearance is right, the substance will take care of itself.
The great reason the Jews missed Christ as the Saviour is because they were entirely focused on the appearance. Jesus did not meet their expectations from the external side of things. He did not look and act like they perceived the Messiah would look and act.
It is true that too often people make choices to do wrong without consideration of the consequences of those choices.
But it is also true that judgments are made based upon appearances without the deeper investigation of righteousness. Actions, attitudes, associations are all too often judged according to the appearance of them without regard for the right of them.
Jesus teaches us not that we do not judge, but that we do the diligence to judge righteous judgments.
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1 Samuel 16:7 KJV
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.
Matthew Henry's commentary says,
"With reference to [Christ], his outward appearance was far short of his real dignity and excellency, for he took upon him the form of a servant (Phi_2:7), was in the likeness of sinful flesh (Rom_8:3), had no form nor comeliness, Isa_53:2. So that those who undertook to judge whether he was the Son of God or no by his outward appearance were not likely to judge righteous judgment"
All Scripture is true so there it is important that we avoid even the appearance of evil. But one of the real problems we have as people is that we make too muc of the appearance, even demanding in some cases that so long as the appearance is right, the substance will take care of itself.
The great reason the Jews missed Christ as the Saviour is because they were entirely focused on the appearance. Jesus did not meet their expectations from the external side of things. He did not look and act like they perceived the Messiah would look and act.
It is true that too often people make choices to do wrong without consideration of the consequences of those choices.
But it is also true that judgments are made based upon appearances without the deeper investigation of righteousness. Actions, attitudes, associations are all too often judged according to the appearance of them without regard for the right of them.
Jesus teaches us not that we do not judge, but that we do the diligence to judge righteous judgments.
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