Don't Judge a Book by It's Cover

How often have we heard in our lifetime that common phrase known as: "Don't judge a book by its cover", which means not to judge people, personas, or things by what they may look like from the outside.

Whom amongst us has not prejudged a book, a movie, television show, art, or music and thought it would be great to listen, read or view? While only to discover after a few minutes of reading or watching that it really wasn't what we expected at all? Whether that be good or bad.

There are even moments when we meet someone and think at first glance that they are so amazing, later to find out that they aren't who they seemed to portray. On the outside, they appear flawless. And some people 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.

You can also meet a wild dressed person that stands out in the crowd, and because it isn't what your used to, you think this person must really must be a quack!

If you are willing to give the person (and/or beings and things) a chance, you may find out that this person is the sweetest human that you could ever of had the pleasure to meet in a lifetime. Everyday people make assumptions of others or 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 continue to do this very thing repeatedly with people that these problems tend to rise. This is called prejudice.

So if prejudice is truly based on the color of someone's skin, the set of their eyes, or some other characteristic. Which indicates they are different than us, this is known as racial prejudice. Again remember that God is no respecter of persons.

God has no favorites and no prejudice against anyone or being. 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 personal values, nationality, race, social standing, or class. A Person because of or their appearance, possessions or position, abilities or works, health or stature, in the end none of this matters. These code of ethics do not make a person acceptable to God, everyone is acceptable by creation alone.

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."

(As humans we can be alot like Samuel. We tend to look at the outside 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 too long ago going into a store with my youngest son, he liked to dress very gothic during this period of time, wearing mostly black.

I never stopped my children from dressing the way they wanted to express themselves, although at times I would be praying that they would soon get past this phase (lol), and they eventually would for the most part.

I know my children well, so I know that they all 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 property.

A bit later I had noticed that my son was in tears. This 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 a true story and 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. Also projecting onto him what they must feel inside.

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

Well he certainly had a lesson that day, and that was not to judge a book by its cover. God created all people to know, love, and to 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 have read looked at the outward appearance likes so many of us tend to do.

I tell you this 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 my walk in life and I have found that not everyone is who they seem to be.

I have also come across what seemed to be common (at first impressions) people who later I found to be the most amazing beautiful people on the planet, because of who they were on the inside, and because of their attitudes towards life in general.

You realize that many people have been destroyed who were once the most sensitive and loving people that may have walked around with joy prior. They slowly changed and this is most likely because of other people who weren't sensitive, judging them merely by their outward cover? And in turn this can make someone doubt themselves or question their own beauty/character inside and out, which we are all gifted with. The seeds we plant can either build a person up or tear them down. The choice is ours, let us make this choice love.

Who are we to judge another man or woman, merely by what they appear to be on the outside? For instance there can be a preacher speaking the word of God publicly, and yet privately have an agenda with a blackened heart on the inside. Only God knows our true intentions. You can't judge a book by its cover.

Man looks on the outside but God sees the heart and inner being. He is not interested in what we look like. He is more interested in where our heart truly is, and what our attitudes and/or behaviors 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 for all of us living in it.

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

with His power

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

PRAYER;

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

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

If You Are In Need Of Prayer Please Put Your Prayer Request Here And I Will Be Glad To Pray For You Or Your Loved Ones

Love,

LorLinda