In a position of authority, has a title, sharply dressed, great communicator, personality plus, physically easy on the eyes, saying what you want to hear, humble, kind, generous. They must have my best interest in mind, they must be telling me the truth. People by nature are easily deceived by outward appearances. Short moments where anyone can sound humble, look innocent, and project your best interest.

We as people want to believe what people present to us. But, we must look past the outward appearance in order to know who we’re really dealing with. Most people are deceived by what they see and hear, so they dismiss/excuse what they do. This is how we get hurt because we see their character, but excuse it for due to their outward appearance/title.

Jesus said, “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?” (Matthew 7:15-16). A prophet is a communicator/ a voice/a spokesman. Don’t limit it to the title prophet, see the metaphor of the clothing versus the character.

Anyone can cover up their ravenous character with a presentable outward appearance. Samuel was told it this way by Yahweh, “The LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
(1 Samuel 16:7).

You know what you see and hear in those dressed one way, but in reality are another person. Stop making excuses for them, rather beware of them, at least that’s what Jesus says to do.