But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7
I purport this to be the most abused Scripture in this day and age. Christ-followers living in the world of "tolerance" and "do what you want" have used this single verse in the Bible to justify their worldly actions...
While our possessions or appearance cannot be used to judge what's on the heart, I submit that our ACTIONS can be! 1 Samuel 16:7 is talking about a man's stature- his appearance. Yet, the rest of the Bible tells us that what is seen on the outside should be a reflection of what is on the inside. Every outward expression of a believer— whether it is their dress, their manner of speech, or their actions —should reflect the reality of Christ in the heart. So the question is: "Are the actions I make a reflection of Christ?"
Now, that's a HUGE question if you really ponder it. Yeah, I know the argument already that we're fallen and prone to sin. But, what's the POINT of Christianity? It's to conform more and more to the image of Christ. It's metamorphosis from being of the world to being in the Kingdom. Therefore, our heart should become more Christ-like and our actions should be LESS worldly.
I may ruffle some feathers with this, but the sad truth is that people use their "heart" as an excuse to do some pretty worldly things. Example: "I can do _____ if God knows my heart. God only cares about the heart, not the action."
***NEWSFLASH**** Our actions should be the OVERFLOW of the heart. So, if you are choosing sinful/worldly actions because it's only "the heart that matters" than I say that's an even more blatant slap in God's face! Shame on you (and me- I'm not perfect!).
Galatians 5: 22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
If we are truly spirit-filled people, than our actions should reflect the Spirit!! And isn't God awesome? He tells us what the Spirit does- what actions the Spirit chooses... Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
II Tim. 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
We need to become SELF-DISIPLINED in living our outward lives (a.k.a. choosing our actions) to be a reflection of CHRIST and not the world. How else are the unbelievers going to really see or believe that we're any different from them? It's not about religion. It's not about "laws" or "do not's." It's about a real relationship with Jesus Christ- GOD IN ME- through the Holy Spirit. Let's be people who reflect THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH!!
