Never Judge a Book by its Cover.

I was visiting a local shopping arcade last weekend and I was lent a Tesco shopping bag by a good friend of mine in order to carry some purchases. Before I returned it to my friend, I noticed the slogan which was written on the outside of the blue bag and it was this: ‘it’s what’s on the inside that counts’. Tesco must have thought it was such an important message, because it was written in red.

I immediately thought of that word from scripture ‘People look at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart’. This was the time when Samuel was looking for a future king for Israel and God directed him to choose King David rather than his more obviously strong and handsome brothers.

How true it is that very often we judge a book by its cover. We look at someone’s life style and we may make instant judgements. For example, in the past (much to my shame) I have sometimes wondered why the homeless don’t just get a job. It’s only when I’ve listened to some of their stories, concerning the dreadful circumstances which have driven them on to the streets, that I realise just how fortunate I’ve been, and how I was judging them by outward appearances only.

Somehow looking on the inside of a person’s life opens your eyes to what really counts. It’s been my experience that, once I hear of the circumstances of a person’s life, somehow my view does a 90% flip. I get the feeling that that’s exactly what Jesus did with the woman taken in adultery: “And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John ,8:11 ).KJV

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that You don’t judge us by our lifestyle and deeds alone, but rather on the condition of our heart. Help us not to judge others either, before we understand their story. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.