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."—1 Samuel 16:7
This passage of Scripture always brings both conviction and a renewed desire to see people (including me) as God sees them. Looking on the outward erects barriers between us and who we are “judging” because the act of judging itself says that we think we are better than them. (The seat of judgment is usually situated above the one being judged)
Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?—James 4:11-12
Looking at and focusing on our own outward appearance blinds us to who we are inwardly and keeps our attention on the wrong things. The more we look on our own or someone else’s outward appearance the more shallow, self absorbed and loveless we become.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'
"If you take away the yoke from your midst,
The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
If you extend your soul to the hungry
And satisfy the afflicted soul,
Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,
And your darkness shall be as the noonday.
The LORD will guide you continually,
And satisfy your soul in drought,
And strengthen your bones;
You shall be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
Those from among you
Shall build the old waste places;
You shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach,
The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.—Isaiah 58:9-12
Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me in Your perfect way of love. By Your Spirit help me to see others with Your eyes of love. Humble me and show me the hidden person of my own heart. Make visible the plank in my own eye so I can see clearly to remove the speck in my brother’s. Work in me the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in Your sight. Oh, shine in my heart, to give the light of the knowledge of Your glory to those around me. May your beauty be upon me, O God, and may You establish the work of my hands today.
Speak and act [consistently] as people who are going to be judged by the law of liberty [that moral law that frees obedient Christians from the bondage of sin]. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; but [to the one who has shown mercy] mercy triumphs [victoriously] over judgment.—James 2:12-13 AMP
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.—Psalm 34:5
