Matthew 23:25-28 - Bible Study Challenge Day 4

“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.  “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

Question 1 - How are we guilty of only cleaning the outside* of the cup?
We look the part of Christians and we want others to think well of us, Our body/actions project one image and our minds maybe another. We may have hidden sin we don't want anyone to know about. Maybe we focus on "Checklist Christianity" and do all the right things, but we have not allowed God to really pierce our heart.

Question 2 - Where do we show greed and self-indulgence?
Too much of too much...food, money, stuff, coffee, business, work, co-dependency on others, drugs, alcohol, etc... We focus on what "I want." This is dangerous because we can argue and convince ourselves anything is OK. Moderation is the key.

Question 3 - How can we be righteous inside and out?
The scripture says, "First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean." If we are focusing on God and allowing the spirit to work in our hearts and minds, then we won't have to worry about our appearance to others. We will look like a Christian because we are a Christian.

Lord, thank you for helping us to evaluate ourselves. Please keep our minds focused on you and your will, so that your spirit can impact our heart and mind, Amen.

*I think the author meant outside, not inside.