02/06/2025
BE REAL
'I judge people by what is in their hearts.' 1 Samuel 16:7 CEV
Jesus was very direct with the Pharisees: 'You look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness' (Matthew 23:28 NLT). The Pharisees put on a good front but had little grace, mercy or compassion.
How can you develop your inner person? (1) Follow Jesus' example. He spent his life ministering to the hurting, the forgotten, the lost and lonely. (2) Keep in mind that even though you're a Christian, you'll still struggle in certain areas, so don't act like you 'have it all together'. (3) Ask God to reveal behaviour patterns that are appearance-oriented instead of heart-oriented. (4) Surround yourself with people who encourage you to be real and correct you when you need it.
Marybeth Whalen writes: 'The painters painted the wall leading downstairs...A week later I discovered, while the wall had been repainted, the habits hadn't changed. The kids were still dragging their dirty hands behind them, making what was white and clean, grey and dirty. Like that wall, if I'm not careful I can cover up what's there...wear the Christian tee shirt, carry my Bible, smile like everything's great, and talk a good game about my walk with the Lord. But deep inside the ugly habits are waiting to be revealed the moment life gets messy. I can become a modern-day Pharisee who focuses on the whitewash and ignores the dirty stuff underneath.' So, be real.
Have a Blessed and Fruitful Week.