JULY 19, 2012
Dorian Gray
Read: Matthew 23:23-31
For you are like
whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly,
but inside are full
of . . . all uncleanness. —Matthew 23:27
The Victorian novel
The Picture of Dorian Gray illustrates how the person
we project to others may
be very different from who we are on the inside.
After the youthful and
handsome Dorian Gray had his portrait painted,
he dreaded the prospect of
growing old, and he wished the portrait would
grow old in his place.
Soon he realized that
his wish had been granted. The portrait, which
mirrored his troubled soul, aged
and became more hideous with each
sin Dorian committed, while he himself
remained youthful. His outward
appearance did not match his corrupted heart.
Jesus rebuked the
Pharisees for displaying a similar hypocrisy. Many of
them took pride in
showing off their spirituality in public. Yet on the inside,
they were guilty
of many secret sins. Because of this, Jesus compared them
to “whitewashed tombs
which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside
are full of . . . all
uncleanness” (Matt. 23:27).
We are tempted to
cultivate a false image for others to see. But God knows
our hearts (1 Sam.
16:7; Prov. 15:3). Through confession and prayerfully
opening our hearts to
God’s Word and the work of the Spirit, we can
experience an inner goodness that
is reflected in godly actions. Let God
transform you from the inside out (2
Cor. 3:17-18).
Father,
it’s easy to put up a front and hide
from
the public what we are really like. We’re
grateful
that we cannot hide from You. You
know
us. Please change us inside and out.
Only Christ can
transform us.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
