1 Samuel 16:7 - Man looks at the outward appearance

The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart

for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.

It's our sinful human nature to judge on appearances.

Have you seen the Susan Boyle video this week? Were you as astonished as I was?

Susan Boyle's video reminds us that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

The Bible is full of accounts of ordinary men and women who were used mightily by God. God made them exactly as they were and used the abilities He gave them for His own purposes and glory.

God uses ordinary people for His extraordinary purposes!

John 7:24 - Stop judging by mere appearances

Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Jesus rebuked the Jewish religious teachers who were angry with Him for "working" by healing a man on the Sabbath.

They weren't happy that the man was healed. Instead, they were jealous of Jesus's power, wisdom, and the attention He was receiving from the crowds. Hypocritically, they themselves also worked on the Sabbath.

Jesus rebuked them by telling them to make a righteous judgement, not the wrong judgement they made based on their own jealousy and self-interest.

When we judge, aren't we often motivated by our own self-interests as well?