Look on the Inside

Objects:   An x-ray 

Theme:  Man looks on outward appearances, God looks at the inside.

Scripture:  Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.  Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.  1 Peter 3: 3-4  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16: 7

Some of you  have probably seen one of these before.  It is an x-ray.  Many times when we go to the doctor, he cannot tell if we have something wrong just by looking at us.  We may look just fine on the outside, but there might be something wrong on the inside.  To see what is on the inside, the doctor takes an x-ray.  By looking at the x-ray, he can see what's on the inside and helps us to get well.  You can't always tell by looking at the outside. 

The Bible tells us that man looks at outward appearance, but God looks on the inside.  You can't always tell what a person is really like by looking at the outside.  Some people may be beautiful on the outside, but they may be very mean, selfish, and hateful on the inside.  Some people may not be very beautiful to look at, but on the inside they are loving, gentle, and kind.

We spend a lot of time making sure we look good on the outside, but what are we doing to make sure we look good on the inside?  (Read 1 Peter 3: 3-4)  When we look at others, we need to remember that we can only see what's on the outside, but God can see what's on the inside - and it's what's inside that counts.

Lord,  help us to be more concerned with our own inner beauty than with our outward appearance and help us not to judge other people by what we see on the outside.