…..From the Inside Out
“Woe to you, Pharisees, and you religious leaders—hypocrites! You are so careful to polish the outside of the cup, but the inside is foul with extortion and greed.”
Matthew 23:25 (The Living Bible)
Yesterday marked the beginning of a time when we in the Christian arena turn our focus towards the period of temptation and persistence that our Saviour endured just for us. This season of Lent affords us the opportunity to learn many valuable lessons from the Lord.
Christ was able to endure every temptation that He encountered because He lived His life from the inside out. He didn’t allow the occurrences that transpired to diminish who He knew that He was. He maintained His focus and never lost sight of His ultimate goal. He lived His life from the inside out.
In my opinion, the duck is a perfect example for today’s meditation. Many people don’t like to eat duck because they say that it’s too greasy. No doubt, those of you here in America have heard the expression, “Like water rolls off of the duck’s back.” (Or something to that effect.) Well, the reason why water will roll off of the back of a duck, is because the back of the duck is composed with glands that constantly secrete oil. Just to summarize the whole process; when water falls on the back of the duck, the water can’t penetrate the oil covering that’s being produced – from the inside to the outside! Therefore, that water which is on the outside, has little or no effect on the duck, because of what’s on the inside of the duck. The back of the duck is so saturated with the oil from the inside – that it has a perpetual protective shield to aid in its defense against oppositions.
As we go through this Lenten Season I would encourage you to not just give up something for a 40 day period. Why not during this period of consecration…. to allow the power of the Holy Spirit to illuminate some of the areas on the “inside” of you where He is not in full control? During this Lenten Season let’s draw our attentions more to the Spirit realm instead of the sensual realm. (What is discerned by our senses; what we see, hear, taste, touch and smell.)
Our only chance for successfully walking down our God ordained path, is to learn to live this life from the inside out. What’s on the inside will come out. Matthew 23:26 instructs us to clean the inside of the cup and the outside will be come clean.
So during this 40 day period, initiate a permanent change. Be determine to allow your “back” to become so saturated with the oil of the Holy Spirit that dwells in you; that whatever the enemy throws you way, will have no lasting effect. …… it will just roll on off……because you are living your life from the inside out.
“You’re hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You burnish the surface of your cups and bowls so they sparkle in the sun, while the insides are maggoty with your greed and gluttony. Stupid Pharisee! Scour the insides, and then the gleaming surface will mean something.” Matthew 23:25-26 (The Message Bible)
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