The Heart Matters

I Samuel 16:7
Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him, for the lord does not see as mortals see, they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

In this vain society in which we live we are obsessed with beauty. Whether it’s the fascination with the thousand dollar weave or the ten thousand dollar breast enhancement or the bulging biceps or killer abs…we are preoccupied with being “beautiful.” We make our first impressions on how people look on the outside. There is nothing wrong with wanting to take care of how you look on the outside. In the world we live in you have to make sure you are presentable, well kept, and beautiful (whatever beautiful is where you live) on the outside in order to make an entry into societies gateway of commerce but what’s going to keep you in once you walk through the door is not what you have on the outside its going to be what you have on the inside!

Many people have failed at business, at marriage, and in relationships in general because they only focus on the outer appearance without ever checking out the heart.
When Samuel the prophet goes to Bethlehem to anoint the new king he’s looking for somebody tall, dark, and handsome. God tells him you are looking at the wrong thing. If an Old Testament Prophet can get it wrong what about a post-modern pilgrim like ourselves? We go looking for body measurements, height, weight, and marry somebody for their looks and are miserable because of their heart. Anita Baker said it best, “you can’t do right because you are the wrong man.”

Out of the eight sons of Jesse, David was chosen. The bible says in verse 12 “he was ruddy (healthy looking), and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome but the most telling part of about David was his character traits as described by a young man to King Saul. Saul was looking for an Armor-Bearer to play a harp to help him when he was tormented by an evil spirit. Here’s how the young man describes David’s Heart and this is what you ought to be looking for instead of just outward appearance:

1. He was skillful in playing. Good looks don’t pay the bills. What skills does the person have?

2. A man of valor. David had courage and was fearless. He fought a bear, lion, and even a giant. You got to make sure that the person closest to you is brave and courageous.

3. A warrior. David knew how to fight. Not just with his fists but with his mind. David was strategic in his fighting ability. You need somebody who knows how to do warfare. We do not fight against flesh and blood but against dark powers and principalities. Our weapons are not carnal but spiritual for the pulling down of strongholds and taking captive every negative thought. They have to know how to fight in the spirit.

4. Prudent in speech. David didn’t waste words. He was cautious in his speech. Some people talk too much and others are too quiet; David had a good balance in how he communicated. You can’t work for the King and not know how to speak.

5. A man of good presence. David knew how to carry himself. When you are an armor bearer you don’t come in to disrupt you come in to bring peace. The king was tormented he needed somebody that brought peace not drama.

6. God is with him. You want somebody who has some oil on them. Jesus said you will know a tree by the fruit it bears.

Dear God, help me to develop my inside as much as I do my outside. 1 Timothy 4:8
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. Lord make me over from the inside out.

In Jesus Name,
Amen