FAITH CAPSULE: Looking wrongly at appearance often lead to judging wrongly.

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Jesus was speaking when He stated, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”(John 7:24) Looking at the appearance to judge people is evidence of a wrong assumption. As an acclaimed believer, on no ground should judging others by virtue of assumption should have place. When a believer gives into assuming rather than taking time to wait and access the presence of God for direction will lead to untimely death. Assumption which often leads to passing judgment is also rooted in engaging a way that seems right to man. Bible warned, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12) Assuming on what seems right will lead to passing wrong judgment that will lead to untimely death.

Do you frequently engage wrong assumption or ways which seems right to you? Judging others according to appearance is not a right thing to do because Jesus warned against it.

Samuel the prophet, the last judge of Israel was called by God to lead Israel back to serve God. Samuel’s life was characterized by honesty and fairness. The word described him in 1 Samuel 3:19, “…And the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.” Despite the kind of man he was, making a wrong assumption could not elude him. Assuming wrongly which leads to making a wrong judgment can happen to anyone. It does not excuse anyone regardless of title or position. Assuming wrongly happened to Samuel a man with the task to be a judge of Israel.

God commanded Samuel to go and anoint a new king for the children of Israel after Saul violated God’s command. Samuel assumed wrongly when he judge by looking at the appearance. Samuel went, “So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before Him!” (Samuel 16:6) God told Samuel in his word, “…I will show you what you will do; you shall appoint for Me the one I name to you” (1 Samuel 16:3) Samuel could not wait on God to show him. After Samuel had assumed wrongly, God rightly corrected him stating “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.” (1 Samuel 16:7) At home, school or in the church, answering to God’s assignment by looking at the physical is evidence of not allowing the Spirit of God to take charge. Samuel looked wrongly because he looked at appearance. Never look at appearance live as God commanded.

Prayer for today: Ask God to deliver you from taking any step outside of His divine direction by the way of looking wrongly at appearance.