Be careful to wash the inside of our spirit like the outside

Be careful to wash the inside of our spirit like the outside

A vessel can easily be cleaned for others to look at and remark how well this person treats his property.  The care we put forth when presenting ourselves as respectacle and pure will make a difference when anyone scrutinizes our outward attitude towards morality.  The number one example that should be emitted from us is avoiding hypocrisy.  How simple our demeanor can change the attitudes of those who look to us as leaders and followers of Christ.    

Jesus was most perturbed with the Scribes and Pharisees over their hypocrisy that ran deep in the teaching they portrayed by not doing as they taught.  

“The Scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.  Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example.  For they preach but they do not practice.  They tie up heavy burdens (hard to carry) and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them.  All their works are performed to be seen.  (Mt. 23: 2 - 5).

From verse 13 - 26 Jesus uses scathing examples regarding the scribes and Pharisees which point out succinctly the evil these leaders perpetrated on the people.  Somehow, this could represent the very synopsis going on in our own country, where we may become pawns in a nation that is controlled by a hypocrisy intended to destroy us.  

“Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.  You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but are full of dead man's bones and every kind of filth.  Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.”   (Mt. 23: 27 - 28).

We are the vessels that are always susceptible to the attacks of Satan and his evil spirits that roam around looking for souls to corrupt with lies and seduction.  Is our cup cleansed inside as a place of purity just like the outside that attracts goodness and holiness?

Once a clean vessel becomes dirty will we be able to wash the inside to match what people look at on the outer skin?  Alone we cannot.  We must look to the holy Spirit to convict our wrong doing and correct the very essence of the beautiful  creation God made of us.

Ralph B. Hathaway