Q264. But what if a man conducts himself well outwardly, so that he does not dishonor the gospel before others? Can that not count as self-denial?
No, not if his heart is not right. Though man looks at outward appearances, God looks at the heart.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
1
1 Samuel 16:7
“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”