Looks Can Be Deceiving

by John Earp

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised. Proverbs 31:30 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Truer words have never been said than these wise words from King Lemuel’s mother from so many centuries ago. Though they originally were directed as a warning to a young man about ungodly women, these words have clear application to either gender. Perhaps you have known a charmer. I once knew a pastor who could best be described as an eminently charming man. In fact, he was what some would call a “personality plus” kind of guy. Seemingly always friendly, always ‘up,’ always sunny side up and smiling happy. That is, until I got to know him a little better. One time, he and I were going into the local grocery store to buy some things for a church cookout. As we were entering the store, he said, “Let’s smile at everybody.” It struck me as so odd then, and I must say it still strikes me as very odd. As if by forcing a smile, one could somehow be a better witness to the Lord Jesus Christ. That instance is an extreme example, perhaps, but truth be told, I believe that far too many people (very much including Christians) think that being a Christian somehow should mean that you can’t be real with your feelings, but must, as the old song says, ‘Put on a happy face’ perhaps to make people think you’re full of the joy of the Lord. When we first moved to Jal, my wife remarked to me more than once how this little town was like Mayberry almost. Everybody was so friendly, she could hardly believe it was real. Let’s just say, time and experience certainly tend to give a clearer perspective on who’s real and who’s a fake. As wise old King Lemuel said, “Charm is deceptive.” Sometimes the most outwardly friendly person is really not your friend at all, and never truly was. Jesus had a word He often used to describe the kind of person who was most concerned about appearances: “Hypocrite.” Literally, the word comes from the idea of someone who speaks from behind a mask. Jesus said of the fake, religious hypocrites in his day, that outwardly they appeared righteous, but inwardly they were whitewashed tombs, full of dead men’s bones. He quoted Isaiah the Prophet and applied it to them by saying they draw near to God with their lips, but their hearts are far from God. A hypocritical, fake person may try to charm you, but don’t be fooled. An outwardly charming, pleasant-appearing person may seem to be your friend, but time will tell. Am I saying we shouldn’t be friendly? Not at all. What I’m simply saying is, don’t be fake. Don’t be a hypocrite. Don’t try to charm anybody. Just be honest and straightforward. There is no indication anywhere in scripture that Jesus went around smiling at everybody all the time, trying to charm people into liking Him. Of all people, those of us who call ourselves His followers, His disciples, should not be fake, charming, hypocrites. The pure in heart shall see God. A hypocrite has an impure heart. Her motive is always self-seeking and self-glorifying in every way. Don’t be fooled by one, and especially, don’t be one.