1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 16:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Human beings may bring each other low, yet it is God who elevates them: ‘I look not as man looks; for man looks on the face, but the Lord looks on the heart.’ Are we in pursuit of physical stature? It is the dignity of the spirit that we truly seek.

Do not dwell on the qualifications of the preacher or the one administering baptism. There is another Judge who assesses both the visible and invisible, for while humans may judge based on appearances, God examines the heart.

Human beings often perceive the surface, while the Almighty discerns the deeper truth; individuals may judge a person's appearance, but God examines the innermost being. One who feigns righteousness might seem virtuous to others, yet in the sight of God, their worthiness is contingent upon the genuineness of their spirit rather than merely a façade to garner human approval. Mankind is blind to what lies beneath the surface. Hence, true righteousness before God is commendable above all, as the apostle states, His praise is not from men, but from God (Rom. 2:29). Fortunate is the one who is deemed righteous in God's eyes; splendid is the one whom the Lord will commend with the declaration: Behold a true Israelite in whom there is no deceit (John 1:47).

Even the exquisite Narcissus, as depicted in Greek mythology, found no joy in merely gazing upon his own reflection. If Moses instructs people to refrain from creating false representations of God, how can these women wisely choose to distort their faces by observing their images in mirrors? When the prophet Samuel was tasked with anointing one of Jesse's sons as king, he beheld the eldest—handsome and imposing—and was eager to pour the oil upon him. Yet the Lord intervened, saying, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, for I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’ Samuel thus anointed the one who was beautiful, not for his outward form, but for the richness of his spirit.

As the council convened to select a worthy candidate for the episcopacy, differing opinions emerged: some favored individuals of noble lineage, others preferred wealthy candidates, some chose those who were articulate, while others looked to those esteemed for their appearance and age. All these nominees were presented to Saint Gregory the Wonderworker as suitable for exaltation to the bishopric. However, Saint Gregory was not swift to appoint and consecrate a bishop; he awaited God’s guidance to reveal the truly deserving candidate.

So, dear ones, lift your spirits and reestablish your focus on virtuous deeds, steadying your weary hands and strengthening your weak knees. Set your feet firmly on the righteous path, following the ways of the Lord: justice, purity, love, humility, and truth. Avoid the warped and deceitful paths characterized by hatred, falsehood, deception, violence, greed, and arrogance—these attitudes are not only acted upon but also harbored within the heart, making one deserving of God’s disfavor. For while humanity observes outward appearances, God assesses the heart, and He is the ultimate evaluator of our innermost thoughts and intentions.

Our God, as Christians understand, examines the depths of our hearts and innermost being, focusing on what resides within rather than on our external appearances (Psalm 7:10; 1 Samuel 16:7). He perceives the inner state of our hearts instead of our outward conduct and renders His judgment accordingly. While outward humility is commendable, we must ask ourselves if there is pride lurking within. Although we may not express anger outwardly, does resentment not simmer inside against our neighbor? We may refrain from physically harming our brother, yet must we not examine whether we harbor hatred towards him? ‘Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer of men’ (1 John 3:15).

"While humanity perceives appearances, God discerns the heart. In humans, the state of the heart often aligns closely with their outward demeanor. Thus, when you pray, adopt the most respectful posture for your body. Stand as if you were condemned, with your head lowered, not daring to gaze upward, and with your hands either down at your sides or clasped behind you, as if they were restrained like a criminal caught in a transgression. Let your voice express deep sorrow, akin to the lament of one wounded by a grievous weapon or tormented by a relentless illness. God examines the heart; He perceives our deepest, most subtle thoughts and emotions, along with our entire past and future. God is ever-present. Therefore, approach your prayer as if you are standing directly before Him.

As a human, your understanding of others is limited to their external appearance. Your perceptions are shaped by what your eyes can detect. In contrast, God's vision encompasses the divine and the eternal (3 Ezra 8:20). Humanity tends to focus on outward appearances, but the Lord peers into the depths of the heart. Hence, the Lord knows those who belong to Him (2 Tim. 2:19) and removes what He has not cultivated, elevating the humble and preparing for purification. Let the lightweight chaff of disbelief be carried off by every gust of temptation so that the wheat in the Lord's storehouse may remain untainted.