Don’t Judge By Mere Appearances

Our Church service yesterday morning was superb! I enjoyed the presentation of the Home Churches, particularly that of Home Church B. They did a presentation they titled ‘Redemption Dance’, portraying the power of Jesus Christ to deliver from demonic oppressions. The pictures were not available in time to be included with this post. I hope to add them later.

My message was simply a challenge to not judge ourselves and others by mere appearances. Taking my text from Acts 28:1-6, I started by highlighting the human tendency to judge by mere appearances.

“Human beings are always trying to figure things out, always trying to connect the dots. We are so uncomfortable with uncertainties and contradictions. So, we try to lock people and situations into analytical grids so as to understand them. The inevitable outcome is the tendency to judge by mere appearances and jump to conclusions about others and circumstances.

Acts 28:1-6
¹Once safely on the shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. ²The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. ³Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. ⁴When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” ⁵But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. ⁶The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

Notice the initial logic of the islanders, “…for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.. so he must be a murderer.” Their reasoning was that the chain of calamitous events that had befallen Paul was proof that he was an evil and cursed man. Observe that they based their conclusions on observable facts – mere appearances.

Now notice their altered logic, “…he escaped from the sea…he survived the bite of a highly venomous snake…so he must be a god.” Again, their reasoning was that his survival of the chain of calamitous events without any harm, was proof that he was a god, in other words, good and blessed. Observe too that this altered reasoning was again based on observable facts – mere appearances.

Yet he was essentially the same man.”

I made reference to an interesting incident in the bible to further underscore the fallacy of judging others solely on the basis of the observable facts of their lives.

“1 Samuel 16: 6 – 7
⁶When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” ⁷But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Here God points out to Samuel the basis for human judgement. Humans look at the outward and judge by what we can see, hear, touch, taste, and smell. We usually make our conclusions based on what is manifest to our physical faculties.

But God also reveals a vital distinction between divine judgement, and that of humans – ‘man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’

At the end of the day, God helped Samuel realize the dangers of judging people based solely on outward appearances.

The islanders judged Paul on the basis of the outward, and they were wrong.
Samuel reached his conclusions about Eliab on the basis of the outward, and he was wrong.

It is a dangerous mistake to judge others solely on the basis of the observable facts of their lives.”

In the end, I pointed out three vital implications of the distinction between divine (right) judgement, and human (flawed) judgement.

“The distinction between divine judgement and that of humans, plus the fallacy of judging by mere appearances holds three vital lessons for us today.

#1. Others will make conclusions based on what they see about us, whether we like it or not.

The challenge here is not to try to please or bend over to impress people, because no matter what you do and how much you try, you can’t.

However, we must be careful how we live – speak, act, dress, and so on – before others. What people see about you influences their responses and reactions towards you.

Unfortunately, the attitude and behaviour of many today is so repulsive that they are continuously attracting hostility, opposition, and frustration from everyone they meet.

²⁴As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” ~ Romans 2:24
Abstain from all appearance of evil. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:22

It is on the basis of this first lesson that I usually say that ‘your personal success is your number one evangelism tool.’ It is the beauty of your life, the attractiveness of your testimony that will compel others to make the commitment to evaluate your faith.

It is interesting to observe the response of the islanders to Paul and his ministry from the moment they thought he was a god. Imagine how they would have treated him if their perception of him as a murderer had persisted.

On the long run, your life will either attract and positively influence people, or repel them.

#2. Don’t judge people by mere appearances.

While others may judge us on account of our appearances, we must never judge others that way.

Jesus challenges us to, ‘Stop judging by mere appearances, and make right judgment.’ ~ John 7:24

It is written of Jesus, our perfect example, that, ‘He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears;’ ~ Isaiah 11:3

While it is true that ‘your personal success is your number one evangelism tool,’ you must never use material success to judge yours and other people’s standing with God.

This is one of the real problems with today’s so-called word of faith movement. A lot of preachers today teach that gain is godliness, in other words, if it’s working, then it must be of God, that if you are rich in this world’s goods, then God must be with you. That’s a lie from the pit of hell.

The bible cautions against this form of erroneous thinking and teaching, against… ‘…men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.’ ~ 1 Timothy 6:5

Listen, material wealth is not a sign that God is with you. There are many ways to get rich, including lying, cheating, and killing people. So, the fact that someone is materially prosperous does not mean that God is pleased with that person. Financial wealth is no evidence of God’s approval. Don’t judge yourself and other people my mere appearances.

On the other hand, poverty does not mean that God is not with you! People are poor for various reasons. The fact that someone is poor doesn’t mean that God has forsaken them or that they are cursed or evil. Don’t judge yourself and other people by mere appearances.

To judge yourself and other people on the basis of any form of appearances – color, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, status, academic qualifications, and so on – is wrong. Don’t do it.

#3. Our hearts are more important to God than any thing we have or do

So we must work on our heart – our desires, values, motives, priorities, and attitudes towards others – to purify it and align it with the principles of God’s laws and nature.”

As always, I led the congregation in prayers afterwards. We prayed that the LORD will forgive us in all the ways we’ve judged others wrongly. We also asked for His help and grace to help us overcome the tendency to judge by mere appearances.

I hope you find this sermon inspiring. May God bless you, and have an abundant and joyous week!