ARE YOU ALLOWING THE APPEARANCE OF OTHERS DECEIVE YOU? Written by Mindy Schuman Many times in scripture, Jesus emphasized that holiness and righteousness extends far beyond someone’s outward appearance, beyond their background, beyond even their nationality and gender. So many times Christians assume that those who appear to look and act outwardly holy are in fact living a sanctified and holy life before God and teaching in truth. Unfortunately, many times Christians whose outward appearance seems to convey this outward holiness are in fact unrighteousness and self indulgent (Matthew 23:27) on the inside according to scripture. This is why it’s so important to discern for yourself, with the help of Holy Spirit, to guard your heart with these types of Christians. While it’s true that our inward state of being should reflect on the outside, we can be easily fooled by those with intentions that are not pure and who do not have God’s heart even though they would like others to believe they do. Let’s look at the following scripture: Matthew 21:28-32 A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’…

Have you ever known someone who is actively involved in doing good works for their church, community and the world yet treats their spouse, children, employees, members of a ministry or certain people in very harsh, controlling, condescending, gossipy and prideful ways? When you are the recipient of a person who treats you badly while seeing all the good works that they do – how does it make you feel?  Do you feel like they are not the real deal – that they are simply actors or actresses who want the general public to view them as a great person all the while you have seen a side of them that is actually un-Christlike at the best and evil at the worst? How do you think God looks at people who play the role of a person who acts like they are very godly and giving but inside their heart and mind they are mean to those closest to them?  Do you think He can see the truth of who a person really is? 1 Samuel 16:7 NKJV 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for…