In the world we live in, appearances can often be deceiving. From the perfectly curated social media profiles to the polished facades we put on in public, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that what we see on the surface is an accurate reflection of reality. However, as believers, it’s essential to turn to the Bible for guidance on how to navigate the complex interplay between appearance and reality.
The Bible doesn’t explicitly address the concept of appearance versus reality in those terms, but it is filled with wisdom and teachings that shed light on this topic. One key lesson we can draw from the Scriptures is the emphasis on the importance of the heart.
God reminds us that He doesn’t look at outward appearances but at the heart. God is interested in our inner character, not just the image we project to the world. As believers, we should strive to cultivate a heart that reflects God’s love, compassion, and righteousness.
Additionally, the Bible encourages us to seek wisdom and discernment. We are urged to treasure God’s commands and seek understanding as though searching for hidden treasure. This pursuit of wisdom helps us see beyond mere appearances, enabling us to discern the truth in various situations.
In the New Testament, Jesus Himself warned against the hypocrisy of religious leaders who focused on outward appearances while neglecting the weightier matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. This serves as a reminder that as believers, we should prioritize our inner character and authenticity over superficial appearances.
Matthew 23:27
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness”
2 Corinthians 5:7
“(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)”
1 Samuel 16:7
“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”
Luke 16:15
“And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God”
Proverbs 31:30
“Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord , she shall be praised”
2 Corinthians 10:7
“Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s”
Galatians 2:6
“But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me”
John 7:24
“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment”
Matthew 6:1
“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven”
Matthew 23:28
“Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity”
Luke 11:44
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them”
Proverbs 14:12
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death”
Jeremiah 17:9
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
1 Corinthians 4:5
“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”
2 Corinthians 11:14
“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light”
1 John 4:1
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world”
Matthew 7:15
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves”
2 Corinthians 11:15
“Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works”
Isaiah 64:6
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away”
1 Timothy 6:9
“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition”
Proverbs 16:2
“All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits”
Revelation 3:1
“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead”
John 8:44
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it”
1 John 2:4
“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him”
James 1:26
“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain”
Luke 12:1
“In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy”
Galatians 6:3
“For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself”
1 John 1:6
“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth”
Isaiah 29:13
“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men”
Titus 1:16
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate”
Luke 20:47
“Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation”
Matthew 23:5
“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments”
Matthew 23:13
“But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in”
1 Thessalonians 2:5
“For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness”
2 Timothy 3:5
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away”
Matthew 23:14
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation”
Matthew 23:33
“Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?”
Proverbs 21:2
“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts”
Jeremiah 12:2
“Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins”
Jeremiah 17:10
“I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings”
Psalm 44:21
“Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart”
Luke 16:15
“And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God”
Proverbs 20:6
“Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?”
Ecclesiastes 7:15
“All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness”
