Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover

How often have we heard that saying "Don't judge a book by its cover " which means not to judge people or things by what they look like from the outside.

Who among us has not prejudged a book or a movie or television show and thought it would be great to read or watch, only to discover after a few minutes of reading or watching that it really wasn't what we expected at all?

Or even when we meet someone and we think at first glance that they are so amazing, later to find out that they aren't who they seemed to be. On the outside, they appear flawless. And some seem to think, if the outside is flawless, then the rest must be perfect as well. But as with anything in life, what is on the outside isn't always what is most important.

Yet you meet this wild dressed person that stands out in the crowd and because it isn't what your use to, you right away think man this person really must be crazy!

If you gave that person a chance you may find out that this person is the sweetest person that you have ever met. Everyday, people make assumptions of other things based solely on appearance.The bible tell us in:

Acts 10: 34- 35

Then Peter began to speak:

34. I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism

35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.

He is no respecter of persons

Don't judge a book by its cover It is when we do the same thing with people that the problems arise. That is called prejudice.

If that prejudice is based on the color of someone's skin or the set of their eyes or some other characteristic that indicates they are different than us, that is called racial prejudice. God is no respecter of persons.

God has no favorites and no prejudice against anyone. Favoritism meaning the showing of more kindness and indulgence to some person or persons than to others; act of being unfairly partial. The condition of being a favorite.

God shows no partiality or discrimination whatsoever. He does not accept a person because of nationality, race, caste, social standing, or class . . . Person or appearance, possessions or position, abilities or works, health or stature-these things do not make a person acceptable to God.

You can't judge a book by its cover. Man looks on the outside but God sees the heart. One of my favorite parts of the bible is: 1 Samuel 16:7

1 Samuel 16 1)

1.The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.

Samuel was sent by God to anoint the next king after Saul had failed God by being disobedient to the Lord.

1 Samuel 16: 6-11

6. When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD." Samuel was judging by mere appearance.

7. But 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." We are a lot like Samuel we tend to look at the out side appearance first.

8. Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either."

9. Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the LORD chosen this one."

10. Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, "The LORD has not chosen these.

11.So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives."

by its cover

I can remember not that long ago going into a store with my youngest son who liked to dress at that time very gothic, wearing all black.

I never stopped my children from dressing the way they wanted to express themselves although at times I would be praying that they get past this phase really quick lol and they did eventually.

I knew my children, I know that they have a good heart. But back to my story; we went into this store and I went my way and my son went his way it was a small place.

Later I had noticed that my son was in tears and it was because the manager and other workers were mocking him accusing him of being a thief because of the way he was dressed. This is true I am not exaggerating.

After I investigated the situation I saw that they had nothing on him, they were merely judging him by his appearance.

Needless to say I felt that this was unfair to my son so I paid a visit to the manager and had a talk with him about judging my son and accusing him falsely just because of the way he looked. Which had the manager confessing that is what it was all about, the way my son was dressed.

Well he had a lesson that day and that was not to judge a book by its cover. God created all people to know, love and serve Him.

continued:

12- So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one." (He is the one)

Wow! The Lord saw the heart of David, but Samuel as you read he looked at the outward appearance likes so many of us do.

I tell you the truth! God is not interested in what we look like but where our heart is, and what our attitudes are.

I have come across many types of people along the way and I have found that not everyone is who they seem to be.

I have also come across very plain (at first impressions) people who later I found were the most amazing beautiful person because of who they were on the inside and because of their attitudes.

You realize that many people have been destroyed who were once the most sensitive and loving people that walked this earth but because people who aren't sensitive judged them merely by their cover? The seeds we plant can build a person up or tear them down.

Who are we to judge another merely by what they appear to be. You can have a preacher speaking the word of God and be ugly inside. Only God knows. You can't judge a book by its cover. Man looks on the outside but God sees the heart. He is not interested what we look like. He is interested more in where our heart is, what our attitudes are. If we stopped looking at the outside and start praying that the Lord help us to see the inside this world would be a better place.

Jesus' Heart is full of love for all people. Do your best and God will do the rest.

with His power

To bear witness to Jesus in this world in our thoughts, words and actions. We are the sons and daughters of God because the Holy Spirit came to dwell in us. God created all people to know, love and serve Him.

Father in Jesus name I pray that you will help is to stop judging others by their cover. Give us the grace to love others no matter what they look like on the outside or what the color of their skin is or how much money they have, the list can go on and on. Instead Lord help us to be Christ like by loving others because they are all made in your image, we all are and none of us is without fault. Amen

This book can relate it better to your child from a child's point of view sometimes it just isn't enough to tell them. The best thing we can do for our kids is to show them.

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