“You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.” – Matthew 7:16-17 NKJV
Appearances can be deceiving. True character is shown by one’s life and actions, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit; nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.” Being a follower of Christ will make you different from those around you.
As Christians, we are not be like the world. The world focuses on what is attractive for the eyes and drawing attention to oneself. Our Christian influence and witness are affected by our appearance, but it is only effective if we are authentic and genuine on the inside.
The spiritual implications of our appearance include more than just the way we look and dress – the outward adornment through clothes and jewelry. Appearance includes lifestyle and the expensive homes and cars and gadgets we accumulate to impress others, can lead to covetousness and greed. The testing of guilt of the heart by the Lord was introduced to us in Numbers 5:11-31 (Please Read it).
Submitted by Trustee Stanley Ridley