1 Samuel 16:7, commentary and pictures

The Lord spoke these words to Samuel when he looked on Eliab's handsome countenance, princely bearing and lofty stature and assumed he was the anointed successor to Saul, and He refused Eliab and the other noble-looking sons and chose instead David, the youngest shepherd youth called from the field. The verse means that God does not see as man sees, for man looks on outward appearance, countenance, stature, dress and standing, but the Lord looks on the heart, searching motives, secret desires, thoughts and inner life. He judges every person by inward character and the fruit borne rather than by beauty, wealth, rank, talent, education or reputation, weighing each act by the motive that prompted it and never erring in His estimate. He prizes above all else the humble, contrite, pure and loving heart, and measures worth by faithfulness to light and opportunity and by devotion to His service rather than by outward gifts or success. Since finite people cannot read the heart, they are not qualified to sit in judgment on character and motives, and they must not decide by appearance which youth will prove efficient or who is fit for sacred work, but labor for all and leave results to God who sees precious potential where men see dullness and unpromise.

Samuel's Choice of David

The word was spoken to Samuel when he was sent to find the Lord's anointed among Jesse's sons. He looked on the eldest, Eliab, and thought him the chosen successor to Saul, for his countenance was handsome, his bearing princely, his features comely, his form finely developed, and his height of stature and beauty like Saul's. Human judgment rested on that outward appearance of face and stature, assuming the tall, noble-looking son must be God's chosen, but outward appearance could not identify who would serve God best.

The Lord told him not to look on countenance or on height of stature, because He had refused Eliab. He would accept none of those noble-looking sons, and the seven other sons whom Samuel saw were likewise rejected. God guided him by His angel not to judge from appearance, for He does not choose as man chooses.

Eliab did not fear the Lord, and his heart was not right with God. Had he been called to the throne he would have been a proud, exacting ruler. No outward beauty can recommend the soul to God, for true beauty is the wisdom and excellence revealed in character and deportment, and it is inner worth, the excellency of the heart, that determines acceptance.

God instead chose David, the youngest son, a mere youth and shepherd of sheep called in from tending the flock in the field to be anointed. He was not of lofty stature, but his countenance expressed humility, honesty, true courage, faithfulness, simplicity and sincerity, shown in the humble occupation of tending sheep. From his anointing the Lord gave David a prudent and understanding heart, selected him to be captain of His people in Saul's place, and in time changed his shepherd's crook for the sceptre. The promise of the throne came to him as a helpless shepherd lad set against Saul the established monarch bent on holding power, and he was pre-eminently qualified to bear the responsibilities of the kingdom in contrast to Saul's house.

David learned the lesson that God looks on the heart and never forgot it. In his dying charge he urged Solomon to know the God of his father and serve Him with a perfect heart and willing mind. The reason given was that God searches all hearts and understands all thoughts and imaginations, will be found by those who seek Him, and will cast off forever those who forsake Him.

The account shows that man's wisdom is incapable of understanding the secrets of the heart or comprehending the counsels of God without special enlightenment from heaven. God's thoughts are not human thoughts, but as the heavens are higher than the earth so His thoughts are higher than human thoughts and His ways than human ways, and He knows the end from the beginning, every past movement, error and outcome, and whether plans will prosper for His glory or for loss. Those who submit their will to God and trust His word will be brought to fill the very place for which they are qualified and enabled to accomplish the work committed to them, and can withstand the power of the whole world.

God Sees the Heart

The Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks on the outward appearance while the Lord looks on the heart, searching hearts and weighing motives, knowing secret desires and purposes, conflicting emotions, wandering and wayward tendencies, impurity and deceit, intents, imaginations and the inner life, and what a person is in secret desires and purposes is his character and life-record in heaven. He knows wrongs people hide even from themselves, and selfishness hidden within is not hidden from Him though people may conceal true character from one another and be misled by a sense of their own goodness. He judges by motives within rather than by outward appearance or the impression conduct makes.

He judges by inward character and the fruit borne rather than by outward appearance, profession, reputation, wealth, status, impressive surroundings, rank, talent, education or position, and His standard of character is higher than humanity's. A site among the wealthy may look advantageous, but appearance does not show whether its influence is good, for He sees the pride, self-indulgence and disregard for Him that can accompany wealth. Bearing the Christian name and holding a supposed hope cannot save without thoroughly examined hope, truly dealt-with soul, counted and paid cost of following Christ without mingling with those who disregard divine things, earnest seeking and higher piety, for without this heart reality everlasting life will be lost. A person may look fair by the world's standards and make a generous, noble appearance that impresses the world, yet when He examines the heart the person is revealed as truly is, and outward reputation can conceal inward wickedness and corruption that the light of truth exposes, showing danger, need for a holy life and need of Christ as Saviour.

Every act is judged according to the motive that prompted it, whether praiseworthy or deserving of blame. Deeds praised and applauded by people may be recorded by Him as arising from selfishness and hypocrisy, and human praise may honor deeds that look virtuous while He examines motives behind every act. Hidden temptations resisted, humility about personal weakness, sincere repentance even for an evil thought, devotion to His cause without selfishness, and hard inward battles where self is overcome may be unknown to others, even close friends, but are known to Him and angels. He knows the strength of the temptations He permits and sees inward conflicts and severe struggles, including the struggle of those who give up what is visible because they trust His promise of what is invisible, so human judgments mistake who is faithful and some who consider themselves Christians will be lost while some whom neighbors expect to be lost will be saved.

He never errs in estimating a man for all he is worth, for He looks at the heart and weighs motives, judges righteously and accurately without ever making a mistake, and His thoughts are not human thoughts but as the heavens are higher than the earth so His thoughts are higher than human thoughts and His ways than human ways. He pierces all concealment and disguise of piety, outward profession that can deceive men, seeing secret motives, thoughts, unjust accounts and unfair dealings, and evil deeds done in light of day or darkness of night, so sins hidden, denied and covered up from family and associates stand open and manifest before Him to witness against the unrepentant sinner in the day of God. He despises close, snug dealing and covetousness even when excused as economy and industry, driving hired help with constant hurry so they have little chance to pray, straining to save a little means that is no blessing, lacking noble generous disposition, stretching economy into meanness to add to treasure, heaping treasure to eat the flesh as fire unless there is entire reform and faithful stewardship with right disposal of His goods, with prayer crowded out into hurried dry form without power showing the same wrong heart. When former failures cause people never to appreciate present efforts to serve God and be a blessing, He still sees and values what is true within, giving love and present help in every time of need to one who is true, humble, self-controlled, unselfish and hidden in Jesus; and because a person does not see and understand himself He graciously reveals the true condition of the heart, so praise from those who do not love Him and keep His commandments and even favorable judgment of brethren who look only at the outside is no evidence of being His child or in harmony with the Bible standard. Because He alone sees and judges the heart rightly and never makes a mistake, private family secrets and difficulties should be brought before Him rather than communicated to ministers, and to lightly esteem and deal hard and exactingly with faithful aged workers whom He respects shows failure to place His estimate upon men.

He will not be satisfied with anything short of truth in the inward parts, requiring all the heart, all the soul and all the affections, with His law written on the heart, for as the heart is so is religion and unless His law is written there is no true obedience, and truth only professed without sinking into the heart cannot profit or illumine the soul nor reform life and character. A notion of religion in the head, an outside religion of mere talk, dry formality and heavy drudgery while the heart is not cleansed, is worth nothing, and the carnal mind must be subdued and the carnal heart changed and reformed. He is not moved by outward stir and excited feelings and fears aroused by a solemn message, which many mistake for faith, but gives time for excitement to wear off so none is deceived about himself, patiently bearing instead of rejecting at once, then proving His people to develop character on principle and faith and to manifest whether they will obey the counsel of the True Witness. Every truly converted soul will carry unmistakable marks that the carnal mind is subdued, with no place for outward adorning, love of dress and pride of appearance but earnest anxious seeking for inward adorning, Christian graces and fruits of the Spirit, self abased and humbled and Jesus magnified and adored, and when the heart is reformed it will be seen in the outward appearance; all work and duty should therefore be sincere, true and unselfish, and for eternal interest the heart must be clean, pure and holy, with purity of heart, undefiled thoughts and motives directed to His glory.

Because He knows hearts fully He knows the end from the beginning, whether this or that plan shall prosper, whether plans of man will redound to His glory or result in loss of souls, and whether plans of shortsighted mortals will upbuild His cause or work detriment to His kingdom, so to be in harmony with His Spirit is to act according to that knowledge of heart and final outcome rather than outward show, apparent conscientiousness or human confidence. He sees past movements made, knows every error and mistake hindering spiritual advancement and knows the outcome of every movement, so weak faith and listless indolent attitude are unsafe and human wisdom insufficient for planning, and every jot of ability must be used in sharp calm deep thinking with every plan spread before Him with fasting and humbling, cultivating faith hope and trust and committing ways to Him for direction. He sees hearts and knows characters better than people know themselves, recognizing abilities used wrongly, examining actions and motives, testing character and seeing defects not apparent to others, and may place people in testing circumstances so hidden weaknesses and motives become clear, giving opportunity to correct defects and become fit for service, His holy law acting as moral mirror revealing defects and need for humility. At the judgment His estimate of character may surprise people, because He recognizes and commends every faithful effort made for Him.

His heart-reading exposes spiritual poverty beneath outward profession, for people focus on what is outward while He sees the heart and exposes greed, selfishness and dishonesty that may appear profitable by worldly standards but bring loss in heaven. A person or church may believe itself rich in His favor and enjoying gospel blessings while He sees it as spiritually poor, blind, naked and miserable, and His thoughts and ways being not like ours, human estimates of spiritual standing do not match His judgment. Consuming love of money and earthly treasures can corrupt the soul and weaken love for truth even when a person flatters himself that he is right. Selfishness and partiality reveal a heart turned from Him, flowing from the heart into actions, separating workers from Him, hindering blessing and destroying commanded love for one another; He marks lack of love, compassion, justice and mercy, pride, covetousness and love of money, and views selfish exploitation of a poor blind man with mercy pity and love yet regards it as grave selfishness and robbery He will punish.

His testing by singling out and rebuking the wrongs of one person proves and tests souls to correct many, revealing what is within, and all who hear should examine themselves for the same sin instead of assuming they are right because they were not named. Those who recognize the condemned wrong in themselves should humbly confess, repent and forsake it; ignoring correction and covering sin leads to self-deception, spiritual darkness, being shut up in darkness and left to one's own way and imagination of one's own heart. Being thought right by others and human approval does not make a person right before Him who looks on the heart.

The truth that He alone reads the heart and discerns secret springs of motive and action means He alone can interpret rightly in all things the workings of another and delineate character with absolute truth and give a faithful picture of human life. This makes the biographies in the Bible differ from all others in being absolutely true to life, and makes no part of the Bible of greater value as an educator than its biographies.

Christ exercises this righteous heart-reading as Son of man, for the work of judgment was laid on Him because made in all points like His brethren to be a merciful and faithful high priest. By taking human nature He became acquainted with weakness of every person, touched with feeling of human infirmities, having gone over the ground people must pass and knowing circumstances of every case and value of souls, showing love by giving His own life to ransom transgressors from the penalty, and He will not shut anyone out of heaven unless safety of heaven requires it, so at the judgment of the great day no one can question the justice of His decisions.

His knowledge of the heart brings both warning and comfort, for He searches the heart and takes notice of desires, seeing through outward pretense, frivolity and deception to what is within, and will forgive a past life of frivolity, pretense and deception if the person now repents and seeks grace to live unto Him alone. Man deceives himself into believing he is right and about right, but He sees the deceitful and desperately wicked heart within, and when He reveals what is in erring man's heart and reproves hidden wrongs, those trusting their own judgment trample the message and excuse themselves by good deeds like the Pharisee. He sees past show of status and business success to inner character, conduct, growth and failures, observing pride, selfishness and unfair dealing and whether others are treated impartially, so His selection of a man for place in His work does not excuse such wrongs and appearing right to people is not enough because His judgment is pure and notices every departure from justice. Yet He knew the eastern wise men were honest, sought truth and wanted to do His will so He could trust them, more ready to receive heaven's light than selfish priests hindered by pride; He is without shadow of misapprehension, knows all impulses, circumstances of temptation and every deed of past life, is just and good, merciful and compassionate, so the soul conscious of sincere and honest intentions has less to fear from Him than from men, and turning from human condemnation that misjudges with hearts of steel can appear before Him and plead its case for Christ's sake, trusting Him to pity and relieve horrible fear and agony while keeping alive the spark of hope in darkness, remorse, pain and anguish.

The heart must be opened to His searching and submitted to His refining and purifying work, through which a person escapes the world's corruption through lust and becomes a partaker of the divine nature. The heart must be wholly on His side, otherwise the enemy holds a stronghold there no human power can remove, and only He can do this work and dislodge that hold and turn the heart fully toward Him. Parents are to give whole hearts with affections set on heavenly things, for it is with Him who looks upon the heart that they have to do. His ways are not what blind selfish mortals believe or wish them to be, and He works in and with His creatures to will and to do whatever He commands unless they refuse His counsel and refuse obedience.

His regard for the heart is connected with being born again and the new heart He gives. It calls for purity of heart, undefiled thoughts and motives directed to His glory. What a person loves most and works for most zealously reveals character, for the heart that prompts actions matters more than actions considered alone, and the good treasure of the heart is shown by good things brought forth, so inward character can be discerned through outward developments and those believing truth should show it in a life like Christ's; yet apparent willingness to work does not reveal whether one is truly dependable, for He knows the heart and can discern who is unreliable.

Human Outward Judging

People judge by outward appearance, countenance, height of stature, ease, manner, dress, and visible standing, but they cannot read the heart, know its struggle and pain, or discern secret motives, and they are easily deceived about themselves and others. Finite and faulty observers can judge only from the outside, while the Lord looks on the heart and knows the secret springs of action with tenderness and compassion, so deciding the case of every soul belongs to God alone and people are not qualified to sit in judgment. Praise even from brethren who look only at the outside, and praise from those who do not love God and keep His commandments, is no evidence of being a child of God or of harmony with the Bible standard, because God judges righteously without mistake and graciously reveals the true condition of the heart that a person does not see in himself. Selfishness clouds discernment and makes right judgment in important matters difficult, for God's sight and judgment differ from human sight and judgment.

Human judgments about who is faithful and who will be saved or lost are often mistaken, for some who consider themselves Christians will be lost while some whom neighbors expect to be lost will be saved, since God knows the strength of permitted temptations and sees inward conflicts and severe struggles, including giving up what is visible in trust of God's promise of what is invisible. No one can read the heart to tell whom God has called to devote time to labor for souls, and fitness for the holy work of being mouthpiece for God cannot be decided by ability to pray and talk well or by private judgment, which is imperfect and can be entirely wrong. Only God knows the heart and whom to select to entrust with the burden for His flock, so fitness must be decided by unmistakable evidence of the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, discerned by His chosen ministers in union with the church and not left to individuals here and there.

People were charmed by Aaron's apparent meekness and displeased with Moses' ardor and indignation against idolatry, but God did not condemn that righteous anger. They call those with hours of ease and nothing in particular to do, who can reflect and study and improve their minds, who manifest moderation and spend hours in private conversation, the best and holiest, while they despise as merely a business character without much religion the one worn by heavy burdens of leadership, business, care of churches, mental labor, reproof of sin, sleeplessness and suffering. Yet God marks these things and knows the true character that is sensitive, sympathetic with the unfortunate, conscientious and independent, quick to see and feel wrong and to reprove it and give it no place even if standing alone, and those in the easy position will be rewarded according to their works. Judging only by appearances, people may praise and exalt unworthy men, while a generous, noble appearance that impresses the world may conceal faults that coming to the light exposes, revealing danger, need of a holy life, and need of Christ as Savior.

Outward reputation and appearance can conceal inward wickedness and corruption, and absence of visible grounds for blame does not prove innocence, for God sees and reads the purposes of the heart. Outward stir and excited feelings and fears aroused by a solemn message are often mistaken for faith, but God is not moved by them and weighs His people by what is inside, whether response comes from feeling or from principle and faith. Lest any be deceived about himself, He bears patiently instead of rejecting at once, gives time for excitement to wear off, and proves His people over time to develop character on principle and faith and to manifest whether they will obey the counsel of the True Witness. Because human beings cannot read another's heart, God sifts His people and purifies the church, and true character and allegiance will be made clear as judgment approaches, when He will bring every work and secret thing into judgment.

Moses seemed fully qualified by outward strength and apparent fitness to deliver Israel, but he was not yet ready until disciplined in self-control, obedience, and submission, so that the work would be done not by his warfare but by God's own power and God alone would receive the glory. Those who criticize a servant of God for a visible defect may forget past devotion, but they cannot hide their own motives and secrets from God, who sees the heart. Human observers misjudged Daniells, yet God knew him and watched over him, and if he trusted and surrendered the Holy Spirit would guide his mind; likewise people misjudged through criticism and accusation one whose work God had used and blessed and toward whom God saw no cause to change His regard, showing that human assessments must not override God's recognition.

Human reasoning from outward things can make of none effect what God has shown, exalting dreams and impressions that were not from the true Source through self-esteem that will prove ruin unless seen and broken down before God. Selfishness clouds discernment in important matters, while God can recognize hope and responsiveness to truth in those whose outward manner appears hardened, whom human wisdom would wrongly dismiss as beyond saving.

A person's worth is not governed by visible status, apparent wisdom, understanding, honor, or human praise, but by unseen character and motives, and human judgment can approve work while missing spiritual deficiency. Because one does not see and understand himself, God graciously reveals the true condition of the heart, and those who cannot discern their own shortcomings need to humble themselves before Him and seek proper discernment.

Human judgment drawn to outward attractiveness, as in Lot's choice, contrasts with God's sight of inner character and whether it is devoted to Him. God does not judge by outward appearance or circumstances but sees the heart, viewing selfish exploitation of a poor blind man with mercy, pity, and love yet regarding it as grave selfishness and robbery that He will punish. Leaving cities unwarned and unworked is contrary to His order to warn them and save the world, and results from human devising and planning rather than from His sight of their need.

What God Values Most

God does not measure worth by outward condition, appearance, possessions, real estate, bank stock, social standing, rank, wealth, learning, color, or display, for He has no partiality but looks on the heart and prizes purity and love above all else, valuing above all the humble, contrite heart. He sees every purpose and motive, distinguishes what is true from what is false, and values sincerity and purity of principle. Moral worth is not determined by worldly honor, property, or outward status, and only the renewed heart possesses what He prizes most.

Jesus lived to correct the world's false standard of estimating men, not seeking admiration or applause, commanding no army, ruling no earthly kingdom, passing by the wealthy and honored, not associating with national leaders, dwelling among the lowly, and to all appearance being merely a humble man with few friends. His lowly life among the lowly shows that outward status does not determine value before God.

God regards compassion, self-denial, humility, desire for His help, and willingness to lift up and bless others as higher than selfish self-exaltation and boasting. He accepts, communes with, and searches out lowly, unpretentious followers whose faith can endure trial, who seek His face and tremble at His word, while those who work for applause are not approved by Him.

God measures workers by inner devotion to His service rather than by special talents or outward excellence and standing. Talents are real gifts whose excellence is not to be disparaged, yet they give no ground for self-exaltation or for regarding the gifted as favored above sincere, earnest fellow workers, for divine esteem shared by the heavenly universe rests on who is most devoted. Every humble learner who proves himself a worker together with God by faithfully filling his called place is given opportunity to perfect himself for still higher responsibilities, and heaven values even the faithful mother's unseen labor by her devotion and the character she forms in her children though it receives no earthly credit or recognition.

God looks with favor on the poor in spirit who are contrite and tremble at His word, and with pleasure on purity of motive and determination to honor Him. He does not value men by rank, talent, education, or position but sees self-importance and self-righteousness, so that pride leaves a man wanting and his prayer unanswered, while the humble plea for mercy is accepted and the suppliant goes home justified. True success is His gift to painstaking, close, earnest men and women who put forth earnest effort to fulfill His purpose, as He gave success to Daniel.

His presence and hearing are not confined to a shrine, and pilgrimages, offerings, prayers to saints, religious clothing, rituals, and images cannot secure His favor or make a heart near to Him. Forgiveness and acceptance come through Christ, whose sacrifice was offered once for all, for what matters is the heart's relation to God. Appearance, good looks, and dress do not bring favor, for there is no real beauty of person or character and no real perfection of manners or deportment apart from Christ and the sanctifying graces of humility, sympathy, and true holiness. Pride of dress and appearance, self-love, self-pride, and selfishness will be as stubble in the day of God, concern with imitating worldly fashion shows a heart attached to pride and worldly things, judging others by dress can reveal neglect of one's own faults, and those ruled by such things must have thorough conversion, renewing of mind, and transformation or they will have no part in the kingdom.

God judges each person by faithfulness to the light, means, privileges, grace, and opportunities received and by improvement of what was available within reach. Poverty, limited ability, inferior intellect, untidy habits, and few advantages do not determine worth or bar the kingdom and are no reason to count a soul unworthy of labor, while greater ability, advantages, good intellects, pleasant surroundings, full light, and ample means unused will leave a person out. Many poor souls who live up to their feeble light and use what little they have will enter the kingdom and stand more acceptably than the favored who fail, for He sees and works within men enabling them to will and do what He commands unless they reject His counsel and refuse obedience. Therefore work is to be done for all alike without deciding which effort will succeed, leaving loss and result to God who lays out the work and alone knows which will prosper.

God values inward character over outward display, words, profession, and human measures of spiritual attainment and success, regarding the sincere, earnest, contrite person as wise, good, and precious even if the world calls him ignorant or despised, recording the name in heaven when he uses the opportunities and light given. He judges righteously, knowing each person's inner life, conflicts, thoughts, and actions rather than measuring worth by possessions or status. Those whom He loves and honors may be scorned by the enemy, and success in service depends on His help rather than human standards or plans. His favor and honor are not won by meeting the world's standards or by pretense and human praise, for true success is measured by goodness of life and faithful adherence to His law.

Choosing Youth and Workers

No one can tell by face, stature, or apparent promise which youth or which member of a family will prove efficient and render the best service to God. When Samuel was sent to find the Lord's anointed, the noble-looking sons of Jesse passed before him, and resting on outward appearance he thought the eldest with handsome countenance, fine features and lofty stature was the chosen one, but the Lord refused him and would accept none of those noble-appearing sons. The Lord instead chose David, the youngest son, a mere youth and shepherd called in from tending sheep in the field to be anointed. To select only a few promising youth for thorough education is therefore wrong, and all children and youth must be given general education, training, blessings and privileges to inspire them to become laborers together with God, fitted for usefulness and qualified for places of responsibility in private and public life.

God does not judge by outward appearance or apparent promise but searches the heart and judges righteously. Where people see dullness, awkwardness, roughness, clumsiness, lack of interest or unattractiveness, He sees precious qualities, precious metal, and potential for great work. His Spirit can move upon the heart, stir hearts, and arouse benumbed faculties to vigorous, persevering action. He has in the past accepted and chosen just such rough, unhewn stones containing precious material able to endure storm, tempest, heat and pressure to do a great work for Him.

Teachers must therefore treat even the dullest, youngest, most blundering, rough, uncourteous and apparently unpromising scholars with sacred care, courtesy and respect, without despising, dismissing or needlessly wounding their self-respect. What God intends to do with apparently uninteresting youth is not known. Outward appearance does not reveal fitness for responsibility, for the elder brothers who looked promising were disqualified by pride, self-centeredness and self-confidence, while David whom they regarded lightly had simplicity and sincerity that could be trained for kingship, so no child's future potential should be judged only by what is already visible.

Workers should not judge by appearance but should pray for wisdom and labor carefully with each youth according to temperament and character. Those passed by as careless or indifferent because of how they appear may have the best qualities for service and may respond well to patient effort. Coarse and forbidding persons in outward appearance must not be passed by in canvassing and house-to-house work, for if won to the truth they will be among its most loyal and firm adherents, and the spirit of truth in them is of value in any church. God chooses for His service those who are humble and willing to be taught, to receive His Spirit and to follow His ways, reflecting truth in character. He chooses wise, kindhearted, true and earnest laborers who from a sense of duty will in all kindness differ from human plans, opinions and feelings when the cause of God demands it, rather than those chosen for outward agreement with human ideas, plans and grievances.

Faithful, humble laborers may be undervalued by impressive human estimates that wrongly prize outward show above more valuable service, but they are precious in God's sight, their worth resting on being purchased by Christ, and looking to Jesus shapes their character. They must be treated with respect and not oppressed or depreciated. Fitness for service is governed by God's heart-reading, for claims, reform efforts and influence alone do not establish it, and God sees whether character is consecrated and free from a willful, passionate spirit. Men may be deceived and count as a servant one whom God does not acknowledge because self rules him, his life is not elevated, his speech rough and unbecoming, his influence not good and he is too ready to dictate, so unless there is thorough reform with stumbling blocks removed and wrongs undone God will not use him, for His work requires clean, holy instruments and pure vessels without spot or wrinkle. The disciples trusted God to choose an apostle because His eyes could read the heart's secrets while their own judgment was imperfect.

Judging by external appearance and failing to discern inward adorning because externals did not meet the approval of taste and fashion is neglect of Jesus in the person of His worker. Poverty and strict economy may leave their impress upon apparel and cause earnest interest for the Master's service to be misconstrued, while the despised one is aglow to serve, exhausts hard-earned means to benefit others and bring light to souls, exceeds others in resources of knowledge and genuine experience in godliness, and by pleasing, instructive, salutary, correct and sympathetic manner to youth and children can reach hearts and would prove a most useful instructor of youth and intelligent companion and counselor to mothers. Such blindness comes from being far from Christ and living in darkness, deception and spiritual blindness instead of light, and shows the need for the deep principle of love that dwelt in the humble man of Calvary, who Himself journeying in humble, unpretending manner would have met no better reception. With increased light and a solemn, weighty message to bear to the world, God's chosen disciples must have a deep heart experience and be endowed with the power of the Holy Spirit rather than outward show. David never forgot this lesson, and in his dying charge urged Solomon to know God and serve Him with a perfect heart and willing mind, because the Lord searches all hearts and understands all imaginations of the thoughts, to be found by those who seek Him and to cast off forever those who forsake Him.

Judging Others Humbly

Finite, faulty human beings can judge only from outward appearance and cannot read the heart, while the Lord looks on the heart and knows the secret springs of action with tenderness and compassion, and therefore human beings are not qualified to sit in judgment upon others, for deciding the case of every soul belongs to God alone. People must not presume to judge character and motives as God does, for they lack His authority and ability to measure another person's moral worth or to discern the secret motives of the heart. Those whom others dislike or criticize may be nearer heaven than they are. Human judgments about who is a genuine believer can be mistaken.

Because God judges the heart rather than outward appearances and knows hearts fully and the circumstances behind actions, others should act cautiously and tenderly and should not treat people as sinners without evidence that they are guilty before God, but should leave them to God and their own consciences. God deals with minds according to His knowledge, so deceitful and untruthful people should be left for Him to judge rather than for human beings to try to change their hearts themselves. Since human beings cannot know the motives behind actions that appear wrong, they should not reject or discourage those who have erred, for Christ's grace can transform them. Human beings cannot read the heart and do not know its struggle and pain, yet though themselves given to evil they are prone to deal untenderly with the tempted and the erring, while the Lord who looks on the heart meets denial and failure with unfaltering love, patience, sympathy and forgiving tenderness.

Those who minister for Him must remember their own weakness and failure and deal with sinners as tenderly as Christ deals with them, learning the rebuke that is love, the blow that wounds to heal, and the warning that speaks hope. Human agents judge hastily when they assess people by appearance or reputation, and should instead approach sinners with tenderness and Christlike sympathy, since people whom others dismiss may be rescued and shaped for God's kingdom. Men who cannot read the heart yet take it upon them to judge their fellow men misjudge and condemn with hearts of steel, rudely repulsing and taunting tried souls until the last spark of hope is well-nigh destroyed. But God is without a shadow of misapprehension, knows all the impulses of the heart, is acquainted with all the circumstances of temptation, and knows every deed of the past life, and He is just and good, a God of mercy and compassion.

Therefore the soul conscious of sincere and honest intentions has less to fear from God than from men, and turning away from human condemnation can appear before God and plead its case for Christ's sake, trusting Him to pity and relieve horrible fear and agony while keeping alive the spark of hope in darkness, remorse, pain and anguish. God's workers should value the Spirit's sanctification, shown in Christlike lowliness and gentleness, above human wisdom when deciding how others should serve, and responsible leaders need less reliance on human wisdom and more of the Holy Spirit's sanctifying influence expressed in Christlike humility and gentleness. A person's position or apparent ability does not make judgment flawless, so those entrusted with responsibility and leadership should be humble, willing to learn and receive counsel, and free from egotism and self-importance.

Fellow workers should not be judged by personal patterns or measures, for God sees beneath the surface at the heart, seeing both the good and the evil in people, and knows how to deal with each person. Human judgments can be mistaken because God sees people differently from human observers and knows their character and imperfections, so condemnation and ruling of consciences must be warned against as unjust human judgments that He does not approve. God does not measure people by outward condition as humans do, so poverty, inferior intellect, untidy habits and lack of advantage are no reason to count a soul unworthy of labor or unlikely to change. He measures the inner person by faithfulness to the light received and by improvement of the limited means within reach, so that many poor souls who live up to their feeble light and use what little they have will go into the kingdom and stand more acceptably before Him than others favored with blessings, good intellects, pleasant surroundings, full light and ample means for improvement who fail to use them and will be left out.

The duty therefore is to work for all alike without deciding which effort will succeed, leaving the loss and the result to God, who lays out the work, assigns it, and alone knows which will prosper. God judges the heart rather than outward appearance, yet the church failed to recognize Hannah More's inward godliness and usefulness because her poverty-worn clothing did not suit their standards of appearance, when they should have looked beyond her externals and valued her character and service. Human judgment is limited to outward appearance while God sees the heart, and He can recognize hope and responsiveness to truth in people whose outward manner appears hardened, where human wisdom may wrongly dismiss souls who could be saved.

Guiding Institutions and Plans

Seeking places for sanitariums among the wealthy in order to give character to the work and secure patronage is human outward seeing, and in it there is no light. True character does not come from grand buildings around institutions, outward grandeur does not commend the work to God, and with fewer grand buildings comes less vexation. What God sees in the heart in many wealthy surroundings is irreligion and irreverence, minds filled with worldly thoughts, time given to worldly amusements, merriment and hilarity, means absorbed by extravagance in dress and luxurious living, no welcome for heavenly messengers, desire to keep God afar off, difficulty in learning humility especially for the rich and self-indulgent, and pride and conceit in those who do not count themselves accountable to God, exalting self as if lands and wealth made them independent of Him. A site among the wealthy may look advantageous to people, but that appearance does not show whether its influence is good, for God judges by heart and character rather than wealth, status, or impressive surroundings.

A beautiful location among wealthy people may look advantageous to human judgment, but God sees the character and choices of those who live there, including whether they are just and merciful or selfish and irreverent. Associations and surroundings can undermine faith and devotion, so choices should be weighed by their moral and spiritual effects rather than by appearances alone. Decisions that might look financially attractive can be blind to God's purposes, as in selling sanitariums to ease debts even for twice the offered price, which would be contrary to the appointed work of those institutions as evangelizing agencies.

Leaving cities unwarned and unworked is not God's order but the result of human devising and planning, for God sees their need to be warned and worked, and the world is to be saved. God's work is not to be directed by one person's judgment, plans, or abilities as though that person were its center and pattern. When people are converted in heart, mind, and body, God shapes their words and work for His purposes, and those in responsible positions need the Holy Spirit's sanctifying influence expressed in Christlike humility and gentleness rather than reliance on human wisdom. To lightly esteem and deal hard and exactingly with faithful aged workers whom God respects shows failure to place God's estimate upon men, for God does not estimate as man estimates, His thoughts are not human thoughts, and as the heavens are higher than the earth so His thoughts are higher than human thoughts and His ways than human ways.

Because God's sight reaches beyond human sight to what has been and what will be, He sees past movements, knows every error and mistake hindering spiritual advancement, and knows the outcome of every movement. Weak faith and a listless, indolent attitude are therefore unsafe and human wisdom is not sufficient for planning. Every jot of ability is to be used in sharp, calm, deep thinking, with every plan spread before God with fasting and humbling of soul, cultivating faith and hope and trust in God and committing the ways to Him for direction. God's sight values the inward character formed by the Holy Spirit, especially the lowliness and gentleness of Christ, above human wisdom or outward qualifications, so those in responsible positions should value this sanctification and not impose narrow rules that limit workers' usefulness.

God's judgment of institutional work exposes proud, oppressive conduct as under His disapproval, as seen in condemnation of the College View work. He sees whether a person acts justly toward others and will not overlook wrong done to a brother, and neither human approval nor what human law accepts makes oppression right before God. God does not judge by outward appearance, ability, eloquence, or worldly measures of success, but searches the heart and judges righteously, valuing those who seek His help. Those whom He loves and honors may be scorned by the enemy, success in service depends on His help rather than human standards or plans, and through His Spirit even the lowly are stirred to use their faculties and can become precious, steadfast workers able to endure hardship.

God reads the heart and tries the faith of His people to test character. Willingness to make sacrifices for Him in times of emergency reveals a heart He will honor with partnership in His work, while unwillingness to practice self-denial to carry out His purposes is tested until a person's course appears to human eyes as it already appears to the eyes of God. In mission settings this means character and inward purity matter more than appearances, calling for conduct that gives no reason to suspect indiscretion and for all work and duty to be sincere, true, and unselfish with a clean, pure, and holy heart for eternal interest. Because God alone understands the heart, never makes a mistake, and judges righteously, private family secrets and difficulties should be brought before God rather than communicated to others.