Proverbs 11:22
As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
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Today's verse is really about how outward appearances can often be so deceiving and misleading. That is particularly true in the perilous last days. Jesus warned that many would come in His name claiming to be anointed and would deceive many, not a few! {Mat.24:5} Let no one deceive you with empty words as the apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians. {Eph.5:6}

Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. {2Cor.11:14} He, the father of lies and the master of deception actually embodies everything that is evil, ugly and detestable in the world. It is surely he who the Lord is speaking of through the prophet Isaiah when he says: “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, (KJV: Lucifer} son of the dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.' But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.” {Is.14:12-15}

The Lord said we are not to judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment. {Jn.7:24} The great danger is that today we live in a world where mankind is conditioned to judge and understand everything based on the way a person, a situation or a thing looks—the outward appearances. Movies, television, magazines and on and on.

The prophet Samuel was faced with one of the most significant decisions in mankind's history, choosing the king that God wanted for Israel to replace Saul the king that the people had wanted. The people who were leaning on their own understanding (what else do you have if you are not listening to the Lord) had rejected the Lord as their king {1Sam.8:7} and chosen Saul to be their king. He was more handsome and taller than any of the people. {1Sam.9:2} Outward appearance indeed.

The Lord led Samuel to the family of Jesse in Bethlehem to select the next, and first to be chosen by God, king of Israel. After going through seven sons without the Lord's approval and being told that the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. {1Sam.16:7} Finally David, the youngest brother was called in from tending his father's flock. God chose him to faithfully lead the Father's flock! God saw a man after His own heart! {Acts 13:22}

Recalling the instruction of the Word we must remember to be quick to listen and slow to speak as James wrote. {Jas.1:19} The moral of this account is that you and I if we are seeking a bride, a new job, a house, what to wear today, what to say to 'that person', or whatever else the case may happen to be, we absolutely need to seek the heart of the Lord and then you will be blessed! In everything we need to imitate Jesus who said:

“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of the Father who sent me.” (John 5:30)

THEN HEAR AND OBEY—THERE IS NO OTHER WAY