“For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
— 1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV)

What we see is not always what it is.
Looks can be deceiving. Don’t let appearances fool you — not in people, not in things.

We live in a world that worships image. Some people and things may appear so beautiful on the outside, yet when you look deeper within, you find that what lies beneath is not beauty, but ugliness hidden behind the mask of perfection.

No wonder the beauty industry is among the most profitable in the world. We cover ourselves with layers — make-up, filters, smiles — not just to enhance what’s good, but often to hide what’s broken.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with looking your best or caring for your appearance. But when the inside of a person does not match the outside, when we project goodness but harbor bitterness, we walk the dangerous path of deception — not only toward others but toward God Himself.

Jesus warned of this when He spoke of the Pharisees:

“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.”
— Matthew 23:27 (KJV)

Outside beauty should be matched by inward purity. The beauty of the soul is what pleases God, not the painted surface of the face.

We are reminded to “sow good seeds to reap good fruit” (Galatians 6:7–9). And the only way to sow good seed is through the Spirit of God:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
— Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

Ask the Holy Spirit to make your seed good, your heart clean, and your works true. For if the seed is of God, who can be against it? (Romans 8:31).

Let us pray for honest hearts, eyes that see truth, and lives that reflect not false beauty — but the eternal beauty of God’s grace within us.