Developing Your Character

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Matthew 23:23-28

If you scanned the shelves of major bookstore chains in the self-help and pop psychology sections, you’d find many books with superficial solutions. How to look successful, how to influence others, how to feel good about yourself - most topics are geared toward appearance and quick results.

Not many address the deeper issues of morality and the enrichment of the inner person. Jesus, however, was very concerned about what goes on in the heart. He was angry at the self-righteous Pharisees, who prided themselves on their strict observance of every detail of religious law.

Comparing them to whitewashed tombs was a graphic way of saying they looked good on the outside, but inside they were morally corrupt. The attractive human walls didn’t count for much when the contents were ugly.

Developing your character is Jesus’ top priority. Step by step, as you trust Him to shape your thinking, your behavior is turned around. You’re on the track to genuine success when you allow Him to instill godly qualities. Remember, His plan isn’t a “look good quick” scheme of temporary changes. His process takes time, but the good results are real and lasting.