Is Judging by Appearance a Sin?
Base Text: John 7:24
"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."
INTRODUCTION
A Common Problem It is part of human nature to size someone up within seconds of meeting them. We look at their clothes, their physical stature, or their social status. However, when we allow these external factors to dictate our opinion of a person’s character or spiritual standing, we fall into sin. We violate the direct command of Jesus to judge with "righteous judgment."
Defining Appearance The Greek word used for appearance is Eidos, referring to that which is shown to the eye—the outward form. While the eye sees the shape, it cannot see the substance. Appearance is merely the wrapper; it is never the gift itself.
How God Judges The Bible gives us a clear standard for evaluation in 1 Samuel 16:7: "For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." God bypasses the physical and looks directly at the spiritual core.
Practical Application We see the danger of appearance in our relationships today. Many marriages fail because they were built on the "vain beauty" of the physical rather than the "fear of the Lord" (Proverbs 31:30). As Proverbs 11:22 vividly describes, beauty without discretion is like a gold ring in a pig's snout. It is out of place and ultimately wasted.
Purpose of the Message Today, we will examine biblical examples that prove why judging by appearance leads to error and sin, and why we must adopt God’s perspective.
I. BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: BEYOND THE SURFACE
If we had judged the heroes of the Bible by human standards, many would have been rejected.
• Moses (The Appearance of Weakness): Moses was "slow of speech and slow of tongue" (Exodus 4:10). By human standards, he was the last person you would choose to lead a nation. Yet, God saw a deliverer.
• David (The Appearance of Sin): David’s failures were public and severe (2 Samuel 11). While men might have written him off forever, God saw a broken and contrite heart, calling him a "man after My own heart" (Acts 13:22).
• John the Baptist (The Humble Appearance): He wore camel's hair and ate locusts (Matthew 3:4). Many would have dismissed him as a madman based on his fashion and diet, yet Jesus called him the greatest of the prophets (Matthew 11:11).
• Peter (The Appearance of Instability): Peter was the man who denied Jesus three times and struggled with hypocrisy (Matthew 26:69–74; Galatians 2:11–15). However, God saw the rock upon which He would build, using him to preach the first Gospel sermon in Acts 2.
• James and John (The Explosive Appearance): Known as the "Sons of Thunder," they wanted to call down fire on their enemies (Mark 3:17; Luke 9:51–56). Jesus didn't reject them for their temper; He transformed them into pillars of the church.
• The Apostles (The Appearance of Ignorance): The religious elite saw Peter and John as "uneducated and untrained men" (Acts 4:13). But their brilliance didn't come from a classroom; it came from being with Jesus.
• Paul (The Appearance of the Enemy): Paul was a blasphemer and a murderer (1 Timothy 1:13). The Christians feared him (Acts 9:26). But God saw a "chosen vessel" who would write half of the New Testament.
II. THE DANGER OF DECEPTIVE APPEARANCES
Just as a "bad" appearance can hide a good heart, a "good" appearance can hide a corrupt soul.
A. False Religious Fronts
• Wolves in Sheep's Clothing: Jesus warned that predators would come looking like part of the flock (Matthew 7:15).
• Judas Iscariote: He looked like a concerned treasurer who cared for the poor (John 12:4–6). In reality, he was a thief and a traitor.
• Ananias and Sapphira: They looked like generous donors to the church (Acts 5:1–10). Their appearance was "pious," but their hearts were full of lies.
B. The Correct Criterion God intentionally chooses what the world considers "foolish" and "weak" to shame the wise (1 Corinthians 1:26–31). Therefore, we must never judge a brother or sister based on their clothing, their accent, or their economic status. The only true measure of a person is their fruit (Matthew 7:16).
See Also
- How Does a Christian Identify with Christ?
- Why Must We Examine Ourselves?
- How Should We Face the Trials in Our Lives?
CONCLUSION
Appearance is a liar. It can make a saint look like a sinner and a wolf look like a lamb. When we judge by what we see, we risk rejecting what God has accepted.
Let us commit to seeing people through the lens of the Holy Spirit. Stop looking at the face; start looking at the fruit. Stop judging by the appearance, and start judging with righteous judgment.
