First impressions are a part of life. Behavioral experts tell us that within 3 seconds of meeting people make judgments about our social status, intelligence, and even our trustworthiness based on the flimsiest evidence; facial expression, posture, the fit of our clothing, grooming, and accessories! We all do it, even unconsciously. And here is something that is even more sobering; those first impressions are nearly indelible. Once made, they stick and are almost impossible to change. Of course, it is a good thing to be able to determine who we should trust, who we should invite into our lives, but not based on a 3 second look which only sees the image.
Believer, Christ in us wants to change us from being servants to image and impressions, both in how we attempt to make the right impression on others and about how we form our opinion of others. He does this by working deeply in us. He wants us to see people, not clothing; real human beings, not a haircut or the watch or ring! Think I'm wrong? Hear the Word. "For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool," have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?" (James 2:2-4, NKJV)
Even the most godly can fall into the trap of superficiality. Samuel was a prophet of God who knew the Lord's voice and lived in obedience. The Lord sent him on a mission to Bethlehem where we was to anoint a king for Israel. Led by the Spirit to the household of Jesse, the prophet spotted Eliab, the oldest son, who carried himself with authority and dignity. The Bible reveals his first impression: "Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!" (1 Samuel 16:6, NLT) But he was wrong! God's choice wasn't the son who looked like a king; it was the son with the heart of a king, David. The prophet learned a lesson that is still important today. God told Samuel, "Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7, The Message)
The temptation to judge others based on our first impressions is something that the Lord wants to change in us, Believer. Will you let Him? Next time you find yourself forming an opinion about another person with no evidence other than his race, his body type, or his clothing - repent! Yes, that's right. Confess to the Lord that you have sinned in that moment. Ask for the gift of discernment and for the patience to take a second, a third, and even a fourth look with godly eyes. Pray for the love that lets you see the heart that God sees.
A diamond cutter takes a rough crystal in his hands. He looks at a rock and 'sees' the gem locked in it. With art and skill he cuts and shapes the stone until a sparkling gem of great value emerges. God calls us to see the potential sparkle that can be coaxed from others. Christ died for those who are filthy with sin, whose light is extinguished by depravity. He asks us to share the message of hope and renewal with them, not from arm's length, but in an embrace of love. Our goal is to release the gem from the rock!
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:17-18, NIV)
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