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“ Heart searching dissertation ”
The considerations presented deserve attention. Yes, God looks at the heart, while definitively humans cannot. However, here is a small observation to balance the issue.
“Do not judge a book by its cover’ has become a defensive worldly philosophy that has crept into today’s evangelical way of thinking. To some it might even appear totally biblical. Certainly appearances can be deceiving, as pointed in the discourse, and discernment against all pharisaical self-deception is highly recommended.
However, on the other hand, what is in the heart it comes out and it reveals itself. Out of the abundance of the heart not only the mouth speaks, but inner attitudes, and values, or rebellion, become outwardly manifested. In other words, quite often, what one sees outwardly is symptomatic of what goes on inwardly. Surely we should ‘Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.’ John 7: 24. However, ‘Every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.’ Luke 6:44. One of our friends once said, certainly we should not judge by appearances, but there is nothing wrong about ‘fruit inspection’. |
