“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Matthew 23:25-26 (NIV)
Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees that they spent a lot of time taking care of the outside of their lives. They focused on what people saw externally. But they didn’t pay attention to what was going on in their hearts.
We can also focus on what people see on the outside of our lives. We can make sure we get along with our families in public. We can volunteer in church and other charities. We can hold doors open for others. But these are all outside activities. We need to make sure we are doing these things with the right heart. We need to take the time to clean the inside.
Prayer:
God, thank you for reminding me about the importance of cleaning the inside. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit in me (Psalm 51:10). Help me to serve you with a right heart and mind. In Jesus’ name. Amen.