In 2015 Disney released a really neat movie called Inside Out. The movie depicted the emotions (Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness) of a young girl dealing with many changes in life.
Unlike young people, who most often have no filter between what is inside their head and what they show on the outside, adults often look much differently on the outside.
The Pharisees wanted people to see one thing, but inwardly they were something different altogether.
Jesus said that they cleansed “the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside [they were] full of greed and wickedness” (Luke 11:39).
They wanted people to see their righteousness. What they failed to realize was that the inside was important as well. In fact, the inside should have held priority.
“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others” (Luke 11:42).
Jesus does not dismiss the importance of the outward, but he emphasizes the inward, calling justice, mercy, and faithfulness the “weightier matters of the law” (Matthew 23:23).
When educating children, we do not give equal time to all subjects, for not all subjects are of the same weight. All of God’s law is important, but it is not all equal in weight. Not everything can come at once. A house must begin with a foundation.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls people to look inwardly. Sin and righteousness are both born in the heart and manifest themselves outwardly.
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ (Matthew 5:21, 22)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:27, 28)
When the outside and the inside are at odds, the result is often hypocrisy. A hypocrite is a man pretending to be something he is not (see Matthew 6:2, 5; Mark 7:6).
However, it is possible for us to look better on the outside than we do on the inside and not be guilty of hypocrisy. As we struggle to develop holiness, to be devoted to justice, to bestow mercy, and to live faithfully, we may have moments of turmoil inwardly.
Do not be satisfied with the appearance of goodness. Do not be satisfied with what others can see. Allow the words of the Spirit to shape your inner being.
It is also possible for us to have outward moments that are not reflective of our inward nature. As we struggle to be shaped into the image of the man of heaven, the image of the man of dust is not easily dismissed. Do not give up when your outward form fails to live up to the inner ideal.
Start on the inside, give proper weight to things, and be amazed what your outward life looks like.
Lee Parish