Outward Appearances

Mom and I decided to attend a baby shower that we were invited to at the home of a distant cousin. Neither one of us had ever been to this cousin’s house but we were confident that we could find it. We drove to the house without any problem. But when we arrived no other cars were there. There were no balloons or a sign to indicate a party was happening that day. It looked like no one was even home! I was driving and mom asked what I wanted to do? We were pretty sure we had found the right house. We thought we had the right day and time. But since we hadn’t brought the invitation along, we weren’t sure. I said I at least wanted to see if anyone was home. Say “hi” and drop off my gift for the baby. And if no one is here, we’ll go back home and try to figure out where we went wrong! So, we got out of the car and knocked on the door. My smiling cousin opened the door and inside was a houseful of other guests! Apparently, all of the other guests were frequent visitors to my cousin’s home. They had all parked either out by the barn, which you could not see from the driveway, or across the road at her son’s house. They left the driveway open for others to park. So, mom and I had the driveway all to ourselves! Pretty funny! We all had a good laugh and then enjoyed a great party for a lovely new mom!

This made me consider how deceiving outward appearances can be. Things and people can sparkle, shine and appear good on the outside. When in reality, on the inside they are rotten to the core. Others might appear empty and lackluster on the outside, like our party house. When on the inside, they are actually brimming with goodness! So, it’s always a good plan to take the time and check the inside to see what’s going on. You don’t want to be fooled by those outward appearances!

1 John 4:1-6 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Matthew 7:15-20 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.