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.

Philippians 2:21

For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

I think this means that Christians lookout for the interests of others. This solves so many problems. If we are looking out for the interests of others it will keep us from being selfish. We will put others needs above our own. We would never even think of cheating others or stealing their money or information to our gain. We are glad for opportunities to help others.

Lord, help me to always focus on the interests of others. Help me to know what is best for them and show me how I can be useful in their lives. Amen

Philippians 2:3

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

It's humility once again. It seems like God is just constantly working on me about humility. Maybe it's just the fact that it is in the Bible so much. I didn't realize how many times humility is mentioned in the Bible. Either way it is certainly something I need to work on. I even worry that creating this blog is out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Even when I pray before I read for God to show me something in his word, it concerns me that the only reason I want him to show me something is so that I have something to share in this blog. One of my favorite parts of studying is sharing what I find. So, does that mean I am doing it out of selfish ambition or vain conceit?

Lord, I pray that my Bible study is done with pure motives. Thank you so much for all the things you show me everyday I sit down and study. Lord, I feel like you are talking directly to me. Thank you, thank you. Amen