![]() ![]() The Lord looks on the heart, and so should we. Therefore, as Jesus said: “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” ( John 7:24). There is nothing wrong, of course, with physical beauty or athletic prowess, unless they center attention on self rather than Christ, but it is the “inner man” of the heart where true strength and beauty should be sought. “I was with you in weakness,” he reminded them, but nevertheless it was “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” ( 1 Corinthians 2:3-4). The apostle Paul himself (probably the most effective and fruitful Christian of all) was a man of most unimpressive appearance ( 2 Corinthians 10:10). With respect to physical conditioning and development, the following is almost the only reference in the Bible: “Bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things” ( 1 Timothy 4:8). The same principle surely would apply also to men. As far as dress and adornment are concerned, Paul said: “I will therefore that.women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works” ( 1 Timothy 2:8-10). There is very little emphasis in the Bible on such things, however. This has always been true, but never more so than in these latter days, even among evangelical Christians. Man does, indeed, look on the outward appearance rather than inward convictions. “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” ( 1 Samuel 16:7)
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