Cross Reference

1 Samuel 16:7

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.

seeth:

Job 10:4

man:

Isaiah 55:8(8-9)

appearance:

2 Corinthians 10:7

TG Discernment, Spiritual

LORD:

TG God, Omniscience of

heart:

TG Heart

TG Judgment

 "True to the Truth" by Joseph B. Wirthlin

excerpt:

" 'No Hypocrisy and No Deception'

Truth can also describe “that which is [actually] the case rather than what is manifest or assumed,” as in the true dimensions of a problem or the true nature of an individual.

Do we, indeed, actually live the gospel, or do we just manifest the appearance of righteousness so that those around us assume we are faithful when, in reality, our hearts and unseen actions are not true to the Lord’s teachings?

Do we take on only the “form of godliness” while denying the “power thereof”? ¹¹

Are we righteous in fact, or do we feign obedience only when we think others are watching?

The Lord has made it clear that He will not be fooled by appearances, and He has warned us not to be false to Him or to others. He has cautioned us to be wary of those who project a false front, who put on a bright pretense that hides a darker reality. We know that the Lord “looketh on the heart” and not on the “outward appearance.” ¹²

The Savior taught us to “judge not according to the appearance” ¹³ and warned us against wolves who “come to [us] in sheep’s clothing” and whose deception can only be discovered “by [examining] their fruits.” ¹⁴

Nephi taught that we must walk the path of faith “with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God.” ¹⁵

We know that “a double minded man is unstable in all his ways” ¹⁶ and that we cannot “serve two masters.” ¹⁷ President Marion G. Romney wisely observed that there are too many of us “who try to serve the Lord without offending the devil.” ¹⁸

“The Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind.” ¹⁹ Hence, the first of the Ten Commandments is, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me,” ²⁰ and the Savior declared that the first and great commandment is, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” ²¹ Only when we give our all and overcome our pride and walk the path of faith without deviation can we honestly sing, “Lord, accept our true devotion.” ²² "