Wednesday, July 30, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: 1 John 4 and 5

Matthew 23:25–26:
You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too.

Have you ever had a moment when everything seemed fine on the outside, but something felt "off" inside?

As we grow and step into adulthood, new freedoms naturally come our way. Things like late nights, no curfews, new friendships, and opportunities were things we once only dreamed about as kids are now part of our daily rhythms. 

From the outside, life can seem full of promise and excitement. But beneath the surface, there’s often a different story. Without the guardrails of faith, these freedoms can quietly reveal a deeper spiritual emptiness. What once felt like connection to Jesus can start to fade, exposing a heart that’s slowly drifting. 

When this happens, it's easy to claim we know Christ but live far from him. To maintain appearances, we may focus more on what people see, what we say, or how we serve; however, we can miss the most crucial part of a life of adventure with Jesus: the state of our hearts.

Jesus challenges this kind of surface-level spirituality in Matthew 23. The Pharisees looked religious, but their hearts were distant. He called them to clean the inside of the cup first, because he was teaching us all that fundamental transformation starts within. 

This kind of heart-change only comes when we allow God to work from the inside out.

So, here's the challenge: What are you feeding your heart? What freedoms are shaping your thoughts and desires?

No matter what stage of life you're in, ask God to show you where your heart may be divided and pulled between the freedoms the world offers and the true freedom found in him. 

Philippians 4:13
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

One of the most beautiful truths about following Jesus is this: you don’t have to wait until you’ve cleaned everything up to pursue him. Even if you're in the middle of a mess made by your own choices, Jesus stands with open arms, ready to catch you, lift you, and meet you right where you are. Don’t wait until everything looks right on the outside. Just show up, willing to let God start on the inside.

Questions:
Where in your life have you been focusing more on the outside than the inside?

Examine what you’re spiritually consuming most right now, and how is it shaping your heart? 

Next Steps:
This week, spend time in honest prayer. Ask God to align your heart with his, to give you his desires, and to clean the inside first. Journal about what you hear God is teaching you and take steps to adjust toward a life lived in true connection with him. 

Prayer:
God, I don’t want to just look like I follow you—I want to truly know you. Change me from the inside out. Give me a heart that loves what you love and turns away from anything that keeps me from you. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Psalm 85:8
I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways.

This post was adapted from the 3 in 30 message shared by Bryant Greer at West Toledo. Bryant is the Apprentice Director of DreamTeam at the West Toledo Campus.