The scriptures in Matthew 23:25-28 are verses instructing not only the Pharisees but all of us to pay more attention to the cleansing and holiness of our spirit man than our outward appearance. We are called to be Christlike, and to strive for holiness. Some people spend more time adorning their bodies then they do in purifying and enhancing their inner man.
Crazy but, after reading,I started to think about a pair of my favorite shoes. I am attracted to shoes that have bling; or anything that sparkles and that are comfortable. One of my most favorite pair of shoes or the ones you see in this picture. They are comfortable, the straps don’t hurt my toes, their covered in bling and they make me happy!
However, one evening at a restaurant, I almost slipped and fell because my favorite shoes had faulty soles and were losing their grip. My happy shoes were not so happy now. I was so disappointed! They were still pretty to look at, and comfortable, however they were not productive or functional.
Unfortunately, there are many people that are decorated in bling, do good works, talk a good talk, have good intentions, strive to perform as they think they should but their spirit man eventually burns out or becomes unproductive.
God definitely wants His children to nourish and provide
for their physical bodies, since we are the temple
of God and His Spirit dwells in us. 1Corinthians 3:13
But that is only a small dimension of caring for ourselves. We may appear outwardly righteous but what lies on the inside of our hearts and our spirit man? Feeding our spirit man on a daily basis is what nourishes us and creates our beauty on the inside as well as the outside.
Some people concentrate more on their physical appearance than their heart and spirit because that is what they and others see. God, however, looks at the heart of man/woman.
We are to clothe ourselves with an inner beauty,
one of tenderness, mercy, kindness,
humility, meekness, longsuffering
and... above all else to put on love.
Colossians 3:12-14
My shoes are still pretty but they are old. They were repaired but the new soles didn’t last so they are basically useless.
Before my daughter was born, I prayed that she would be as beautiful on the inside (her spirit man) as she would be on the outside.
I feel my prayers were answered as she is developing a healthy body with proper nutrition and exercise and she is faithfully seeking God through personal study, small groups, and church attendance. I still pray that prayer for her, myself and others.
Let’s spend more quality time spritzing on the fragrance of the Lord, mirroring Jesus’ characteristics, as well as adapting the mind and spirit of Christ.Then we will be filled with bling inside and out.
What are you wearing today?
Does your physical man outshine and override
your spirit man?
Are you all dressed up with the Fruit of the Spirit? Galatians 5:22-23
Do you put on the Armor of God daily? Ephesians 6:11 Are you filled with joy and peace believing that you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
Renew, revitalize, restore, replenish, repair, reorganize
your life and and your priorities
if your body, mind, heart and soul
are not genuinely connected to the Vine
so you can begin to shine.
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