Throughout the Bible we are reminded that God does not only look at outward appearance, actions, titles, or religious words. God looks deeper. He looks at the heart. A person may appear righteous before men, but God sees the true thoughts, desires, intentions, and love inside.
“But Jehovah said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for Jehovah seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh on the heart.”
(1 Samuel 16:7 ASV)
This truth is repeated many times in Scripture. God searches the heart and examines what is hidden inside us (Jeremiah 17:10, Psalm 44:21, Proverbs 21:2). Jesus also taught this clearly. The Pharisees looked holy outwardly, but their hearts were far from God (Matthew 15:7–9, Matthew 23:27–28).
So the important question is not only whether we say we believe in God, but what God finds inside our hearts.
God wants a heart that loves Him above all things. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matthew 22:37–38). God also wants humility, honesty, mercy, purity, faith, and obedience. David wrote that God desires truth in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6). Jesus said:
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
A heart pleasing to God is not proud or hardened. It repents when it sins and seeks to walk in God’s ways. Through the prophet Isaiah, God said He looks to the one who is humble and trembles at His word (Isaiah 66:2).
Jesus also taught that what comes out of a person reveals the heart.
“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Matthew 12:34)
If the heart is full of anger, pride, hatred, greed, or evil desires, these things will eventually appear in words and actions. But if the heart is filled with love, truth, mercy, patience, and faithfulness, these fruits will also appear.
God does not seek perfect people pretending to be holy. He seeks sincere hearts willing to follow Him. David sinned greatly, yet he repented deeply because his heart still desired God (Psalm 51). Jesus praised simple and humble people who truly believed and obeyed Him, even when religious leaders rejected Him.
The Lord knows every hidden thing. Nothing can be concealed from Him (Hebrews 4:13). This should both warn and comfort us. It warns the hypocrite, but comforts the faithful believer whose love for God may not be seen by the world. Men may judge by appearance, but God sees the heart completely.
This is why Scripture tells us to guard the heart carefully (Proverbs 4:23). If the heart belongs to God, the life will slowly begin to reflect Him also.
“But Jehovah said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for Jehovah seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh on the heart.”
(1 Samuel 16:7 ASV)
This truth is repeated many times in Scripture. God searches the heart and examines what is hidden inside us (Jeremiah 17:10, Psalm 44:21, Proverbs 21:2). Jesus also taught this clearly. The Pharisees looked holy outwardly, but their hearts were far from God (Matthew 15:7–9, Matthew 23:27–28).
So the important question is not only whether we say we believe in God, but what God finds inside our hearts.
God wants a heart that loves Him above all things. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matthew 22:37–38). God also wants humility, honesty, mercy, purity, faith, and obedience. David wrote that God desires truth in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6). Jesus said:
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
A heart pleasing to God is not proud or hardened. It repents when it sins and seeks to walk in God’s ways. Through the prophet Isaiah, God said He looks to the one who is humble and trembles at His word (Isaiah 66:2).
Jesus also taught that what comes out of a person reveals the heart.
“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Matthew 12:34)
If the heart is full of anger, pride, hatred, greed, or evil desires, these things will eventually appear in words and actions. But if the heart is filled with love, truth, mercy, patience, and faithfulness, these fruits will also appear.
God does not seek perfect people pretending to be holy. He seeks sincere hearts willing to follow Him. David sinned greatly, yet he repented deeply because his heart still desired God (Psalm 51). Jesus praised simple and humble people who truly believed and obeyed Him, even when religious leaders rejected Him.
The Lord knows every hidden thing. Nothing can be concealed from Him (Hebrews 4:13). This should both warn and comfort us. It warns the hypocrite, but comforts the faithful believer whose love for God may not be seen by the world. Men may judge by appearance, but God sees the heart completely.
This is why Scripture tells us to guard the heart carefully (Proverbs 4:23). If the heart belongs to God, the life will slowly begin to reflect Him also.
