Day 18 – Living Boldly: Who Is a Good Teen?

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What makes someone good? Before you answer the question about yourself or a friend, I want you to consider this perspective. On the surface, it might seem easy to label someone as good or bad based on their behavior—an external examination, but God calls us to look deeper than outward appearances.

Rick’s 31-Day Devotions

• 31-Day Marriage Devotion
• 31-Day Parenting Devotion
• 31-Day Young Adult Devotion

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” (1 Samuel 16:7).

The Danger of Outward Assessments

It’s easy to compare yourself with others based on what you can see. Someone who seems to follow all the rules might be labeled good, while someone who struggles outwardly is seen as bad. Outward behavior doesn’t always reflect the true state of the heart.

Some young adults learn to perform well in front of others—they know the right words to say and actions to present. This external lifestyle is legalism: behavior driven by appearances rather than a heart transformed by God. On the other hand, a person who does not fit cultural expectations or seems messy externally might actually have a humble heart—repentant and deeply in love with God.

Biblical Examples of Misjudged People

Consider two women in the New Testament: The widow who gave all she had (Luke 21:1-4) was poor, needy, and insignificant in society’s eyes, yet Jesus praised her faith and sacrifice. The sinner woman who anointed Jesus’ feet (Luke 7:36-50) was an outcast, despised by others, yet her love and repentance brought her into Jesus’ favor. Both of these women would have been dismissed by those focused on outward appearances, but Jesus looked at their hearts and saw faith, love, and humility.

Don’t Judge by Appearances

Outward appearances can be deceiving. You might look good on the outside but hide inner turmoil, angst, fears, or idolatries that need God’s restorative insight and care. Or you might judge someone for not measuring up outwardly, failing to see how God is working in their life.

Time to Reflect

1. Take time today to examine yourself in two key areas: How do you judge others?
   1. Do you assess people primarily based on their appearance or behavior?
   2. What does this reveal about your understanding of God’s view of the heart? (1 Samuel 16:7)
2. How does God’s mercy shape how you treat others?
   1. If you’ve experienced God’s forgiveness, how does that influence the way you think about and respond to others?
   2. Are you patient, kind, and willing to look past the surface to see what God might be doing in someone?
3. Ask God to help you see people through His eyes. Pray for humility and wisdom to look past outward appearances and recognize the deeper work He is doing in others—and yourself.

Let’s live boldly, focusing on hearts transformed by God rather than outward appearances.

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Rick Thomas

Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.

In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).