We’re white and clean on the outside, but just as filthy and dirty on the inside. Our garments are wrinkled free, pressed, starched to perfection. Our hair is in the right place, no strand is out of place. We’re the perfect Christian. We say all the right things and we do all the right things when people are watching, but behind closed doors we’re another person. We’re hypocrites!
We are quick to judge others and their flaws, but we dare not look in the mirror. We can see every one’s faults, but we keep ours hidden. We portray the perfect saint who has it altogether. We tote our Bible around quoting to the downcast what thus saith the Lord, but neglect to make God’s commands and standards applicable to our own lives. We’re frauds!
We’re the first to point out a speck in another person’s eye, but we fail to remove the large piece of wood that’s in our own eye (Matt. 7:1-5). We keep a record of every mistake our sister has made and we’re the first to remind her just how bad she messed up. We watch and wait for our sisters to fall because we think their failure will make us look better. We’re such fakes!
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” (Matt. 23:27 NASB)
“Woe to you! For you are like concealed tombs, and the people who walk over them are unaware of it.” (Luke 11:44 NASB)
We’re whitewashed walls painted to look clean. Our stains are covered up with a mask. We appear to be beautiful, but it’s just a cover up, a facade. We’re dirty, wicked, evil, and God knows it all. He sees our filthy heart. He knows our thoughts. He sees our deeds and He knows our motives. Nothing is hidden from Him.
I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. (Rom 7:15, NLT)
BUT THANK GOD FOR JESUS, WHO’S BLOOD CLEANSES US AND MAKES US NEW!!!!
Sisters, we are going to mess up over and over again, but in His endless mercy and through the blood of Jesus Christ, God will continue to clean us. He wants us to confess our sins. He who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:9). Yes, we’ve messed up, but God can certainly clean us up!!
Prayer: Lord, we come to You. We acknowledge You as being a holy and righteous God. We acknowledge You as being our heavenly Father and only You are perfect. Father God, we’re dirty. We’re hypocrites. We’re frauds and we need You. Make us new. Make us honest and whole. Clean us from the inside out. Clean our hearts, Lord, change our hearts and our minds. Purify us and make us clean. Wash us like only You can. Lord, we don’t want to be like the Pharisees who trust in our own righteousness, but Lord we cry out to You like the tax collector asking You to have mercy on us (Luke:18:9-14). Lord, we humble ourselves before You. We pray the prayer of David asking you to blot out our transgression and wash us thoroughly from our iniquities. Lord, we have sinned against You and we asked that You would forgive us. We thank You for Your forgiveness, Your power, and Your everlasting love. May You continue to convict us when we’re wrong because we want to be right in Your sight. We love You. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.
During your quiet time, read Psalm 51 and 1 John 1:5-9. With a sincere heart ask God for a pure heart.
LET’S WALK IN FREEDOM TOGETHER & IMPACT THE WORLD!
Copyright ©2010-2016. Rhovonda L. Brown. All Rights Reserved. No portion of Martha & Mary Ministries, Walking in Freedom!™ Devotionals may be reproduced, stored in any electronic system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission from the author. Brief quotations may be used in literary reviews.