“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.”1

We are so focused upon externals. We evaluate men on their outward appearance. How much they impress and wow us. Man wants to package man in a glimmering, shining package. Not so God.

God does not regard how much charisma a man possesses or does not possess. God is not interested in skin color, race, economic status or a man’s connections. All these externals are emphasized and sought after by man. But not God. He regards the heart: the real man - the thoughts, the intents, the morality, the purity, and the priorities.

God is concerned with the condition of a man’s heart. In reality, it’s the man’s character that is important to God. Note the following scripture verses:

  • Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (Ro 1:21)
  • Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: (Ro 1:24)
  • And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Ro 8:27)
  • That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Ro 10:9-10)
  • Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Co 4:5)
  • Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (2 Co 1:22)
  • For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Co 4:6)
  • And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Ga 4:6)
  • That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (Eph 3:17)
  • Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: (Eph 4:18)
  • Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. (Php 1:7)
  • To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. (1 Th 3:13)
  • Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: (1 Ti 1:5)
  • Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Ti 2:22)

Get the message of God? It’s what that is in the heart that is important to him. And God knows everyone’s heart.

What’s more, God knows your heart. Now, what is the condition of your heart?

- Pastor Stevens

Sphere: Related Content

  1. 1 Sa 16:7 [↩]