Inside out or Outside in?

Matthew 15:18-19
¹⁸ But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.¹⁹ For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Changing from the inside out? Or can we try to change the outside first? If you really think about it,  that's just saying. "Who do I want to please first or who is most important to my heart?" The answer is either the Lord or men. Why do I say that? Well lets take a look...

What comes out of the mouth comes from the heart!!!I believe that too with outward appearance! A heart that is in love with only the Lord and things of Heaven won't desire to act or look like the world. It won't long to fit in with the women of the world at all.

First, we will look at changing the outside, first with appearance, next you want to fit in so you try your best to say the right thing, be nice, act good, not do the things of the world you really want to do. The problem is, it's not being done for the Lord!! This right here all is about trying to look good, pleasing others around you AKA putting on an act. All in all it's to please men! You alone are doing this and we all know without the Lord we can do nothing! The heart stays wicked and it will continue to long for the world. The way you now act, talk and dress is a "have to" instead of a want to, a burden and being religious. The heart isn't the Lord's, it still belongs to the world!

When you have to do something that you don't want to, or love, is your heart truly involved? The answer is most likely no. You might still do it, with a smile but the heart will still be hardened to it. When it is involving living for the Lord and you are trying to be the person who changes first on the outside, you might be able to fool the ones around you, but you can NEVER fool God! You are more like a chameleon than anything. Problems will arise since the heart isn't the Lords and it belongs to the world.

Proverbs 6:12-19
¹² A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.¹³ He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;¹⁴ Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.¹⁵ Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.¹⁶ These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:¹⁷ A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,¹⁸ An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,¹⁹ A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

If you think about these verses this can all be done with the person who changes outside and still has a heart for the world/men . See, the inside is filthy still. And even if you are getting away with it (in the sense of those around you) the Lord knows all, and eventually if you continue and don't repent, I guarantee you will be exposed. I will go into detail about these verses in a future post on this blog.

Now, do you love doing things that you are passionate about? Yes!!! When you absolutely love something you usually can't wait to do something involving it! When this passion is for the  Lord He has your heart it belongs to Him and only Him!!! He changes and molds you and the outward is a plus. Things of the Lord will excite you! It's a "want to" not a "have to"!!! You are the same wherever you are as well! The heart for the Lord desires to please Him, hates the things He hates and loves the things He loves. Your heart will want His will only and will delight in pleasing Him. It won't be a burden  but will become who you are! He will shine like a light through you in all that you say and do.

When a genuine conversion starts the Holy Spirit will move on the heart and that's when conviction will take place.You become sensitive to the Lord and what He wants. when you listen to Him everything about you changes inside and out!!!! If we keep desiring His ways, it will show not only in appearance but how we talk, act, our mannerism, actually who we are period at home or out and about!  To be absolutely stunningly beautiful starts only with having a heart for the Lord.

Now a question for everyone. What kind of heart do you have? If you said, "a heart for pleasing man and the world", thank you for being honest. I pray that anyone who reads this and has this answer repents and will turn their hearts toward the Lord and only desire to please Him. If you decided you desire to have a heart for Him and only Him. Pray, pray, pray and seek Him!

Pray,
Psalm 51:10
¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

If your answer was "I have a heart for the Lord and His Kingdom!!!!" I'm so happy to hear that and pray that you continue to have this heart!! Remember too, we always need to be on guard no matter how far in our walk we are!

I will be praying this post encourages everyone who reads it and all will turn or continue to keep a heart for the Lord, in Jesus Name!

Psalm 139:23-24 
²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:²⁴ And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.