Read Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23.
According to Jesus, what matters most is what’s in our hearts. We may be nice and sparkly, pleasant and upbeat on the outside, but be harboring all sorts of ill-will and ill intentions on the inside. We may be smiling on the outside and full of judgment, hatred, and self-righteousness on the inside. A good sign that we need to spend a little time in self-reflection and prayer is when our outward words and behaviors don’t match up with what is in our hearts. According to Jesus, following him isn’t about giving lip service and putting on a good show. It’s about having a soft, malleable heart that looks at the world through the eyes of God’s love. It’s about aligning our will and our values with those of God’s.
Today, take some time to identify any hypocrisies within yourself. When do your inner thoughts or attitudes conflict with who you profess to be? Offer a prayer of confession for the issues that you find within yourself and trust God’s assurance of forgiveness.
