Appearances can be deceiving. The Bible has a lot to say about how we perceive people based on outward appearances versus perceiving their true inner character. Here are some key Bible verses about appearances:
1 Samuel 16:7 – God looks at the heart
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
This verse reminds us that while humans judge by outward appearance, God sees our inner being. When Samuel was looking for a new king, God told him not to judge candidates by their looks and stature. Appearances can be misleading, but God sees beyond the surface.
Proverbs 31:30 – Charm is deceptive
“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
This verse advises against valuing charm and physical beauty too highly. While those attributes are pleasing superficially, deeper character qualities are more important for building relationships and living a godly life. A beautiful outward appearance does not necessarily reflect inner virtue.
Matthew 23:27-28 – Whitewashed tombs
““Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”
Jesus rebuked the hypocrisy of religious elites who appeared righteous but inwardly were corrupt. Like whitewashed tombs that look clean but contain death and decay, appearances did not match their true spiritual state. God cares more about inner purity than outer perception.
1 Timothy 2:9-10 – Modest dress
“Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.”
This instruction to women emphasizes dressing with modesty and humility, avoiding focusing only on fancy outward adornment. While looking presentable is fine, undue attention to appearances and outward display does not reflect a godly, respectful character.
James 2:1-4 – Favoritism forbidden
“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”
James warns believers against showing favoritism toward the outwardly rich and well-dressed while dishonoring the poor. We are prone to judging by appearances and socioeconomic status, but God sees all people equally and wants us to do the same in the church.
2 Corinthians 5:12 – Commending our hearts
“We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.”
Paul says that unlike false teachers who boast about appearances, he and his co-workers commend themselves by their heart motives and godly character. Outward behaviors and accolades can mask inward flaws. What truly matters is the state of our heart.
1 Peter 3:1-6 – Inner beauty
“Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”
Peter encourages women not to focus only on external beauty through fashion and jewelry. While looking presentable is fine, true inner beauty comes from a gentle and quiet spirit. This inner character is precious to God and what husbands should primarily appreciate in their wives.
Psalm 39:4-5 – Fleeting external life
““Show me, O Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath.”
This psalm highlights how brief and ephemeral our earthly life and outward self is. We are fragile and quickly passing. What matters most is the state of our soul, our relationship to God, and our eternal destiny, not our temporary external appearance.
Romans 2:28-29 – True circumcision of heart
“For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.”
Paul distinguishes between spiritual circumcision of the heart and the physical, outward Jewish sign of circumcision. Outward conformity to religious rituals does not make one right with God. What matters is an inner transformation by the Holy Spirit, not just external appearance.
Titus 1:15-16 – Defiled minds and conscience
“To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”
Morally corrupt people can still appear religious and profess faith outwardly. But their impure hearts and seared consciences give them away. They deny God by their actions despite claiming to follow Him. Internal contamination festers even beneath a righteous facade.
Matthew 15:1-9 – Lip service without heart change
“Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God.”
Jesus confronted religious leaders obeying ceremonial rituals outwardly while inwardly rebelling against God’s commands. They appeared pious but lacked true obedience. External religious conformity is worthless without an inward change of heart in submission to God.
Luke 16:15 – God knows the heart
“And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.”
Jesus warns against pursuing the public’s praise through impressive outward displays of righteousness. While we may fool people, we cannot fool God, who sees our inward motives. Self-justification is worthless; God wants inward integrity and holiness.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 – Avoid every outward form of evil
“Abstain from every form of evil.”
As Christians we are to avoid and flee from sin, corruption and any appearance of evil. Even if our hearts are pure, outward association with wickedness can damage our witness and open the door to falling into actual evil. Holiness requires caution even regarding outward forms of wrongdoing.
Matthew 23:25-26 – Cleanse inside and out
““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.”
Jesus rebuked religious hypocrites focused only on external righteousness through following rituals and traditions. He emphasizes that true godliness requires both inward heart cleansing from sin as well as outward obedience and righteous living. The inner and outer must align.
Revelation 2:9 – Resisting wicked pretenders
“‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.”
Jesus warns a church against false teachers who appear outwardly like godly Jews but inwardly are Satan’s agents. We must be discerning, as the enemy often disguises himself as an angel of light. Evaluate teaching by content, not outward impressions.
In summary, the Bible repeatedly warns against judging by outward appearances. While taking care of our external presentation is good, God cares far more about our inner being, the state of our heart, and the condition of our soul. Are we embracing holiness and righteousness inwardly, or just making a show of external piety? According to Scripture, our character is defined by who we are on the inside, not merely appearances on the outside.