Truth On the Inside -- 9/30/07

Sunday, September 30, 2007

DESIRING TRUTH IN THE INWARD PARTS
Psalm 51:6

Jesus once said something like this: "Woe to you hypocrites. You clean up the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and selfishness" (paraphrase of Matt. 23:25). Do you remember the occasion of those words? To whom was Jesus speaking? That’s right, He was talking to the Pharisees, who were the religious leaders of that day.

The Pharisees were certainly clean on the outside. They prayed regularly. They never missed a church service. They knew the scriptures better than anyone else. A Pharisee could say, "O God, I thank you that I’m not like other men. I fast twice every week and give to you a tenth of everything I possess." No one had the righteous appearance of the Pharisees. Looking from the outside, one would have to say that the Pharisees were absolutely clean.

Let me ask you a question this morning: How do you look on the outside? Of course, I’m not talking about physical appearance. Rather, I’m talking about outward righteousness. Do you look pretty clean on the outside? You present a good, moral lifestyle. You read the Bible and pray and are fairly regular at worship services. You give to God a portion of what you possess. Others have a pretty good opinion of your righteousness.

Now let’s come back to what Jesus said to the Pharisees: "You clean up the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and selfishness." We might look at that and say, "Well, they were one for two. They weren’t clean on the inside, but at least they were clean on the outside; that ought to count for something." What we must understand is that in the Lord’s eyes, these are not two equals. The outside appearance and the state of the inner being are not of equal value.

Jesus went right on to say, "You blind Pharisee, first clean up the inside of the cup and the plate, so that the outside of them may be clean also." Jesus said that order is important. Cleansing must begin on the inside. When the inside is clean, the outside will be clean also. I can illustrate that truth from my vast dishwashing experience. Let’s suppose I’m washing a pan. We cooked a casserole in that pan. Not only did we cook the casserole in that pan, but we also warmed it up again three different times in that same pan. Now the casserole was delicious, even as leftovers, but that procedure didn’t do wonders for our pan. So now it’s time for me to wash that pan. I assure you that I would rather wash the outside than the inside. So I quickly wash the outside. I start washing the inside, but it’s tough. So after a minute, I take it out of the dish water, dry it off, put the lid on it, and put it in the cabinet. Anyone who opens the cabinet and looks at that pan will conclude that it is a nice, clean pan. Why? Because they only see the outside. But the inside is still quite dirty. Would you want to cook something in that pan? Of course, not. On the other hand, if I had taken the time to scrub the inside, it would have been clean. And the amazing thing is that the outside would have been clean as well. If I had started with the inside, the outside would have pretty much taken care of itself. Just in the process of scrubbing the inside, enough soap, water, and dishrag hit the outside that it becomes clean too. It isn’t the outside that presents the problem, but rather the inside.

It is the same way with our lives. It is very possible to clean up the outside, and the inside be full of ugly things we would rather no one see. That’s the way it was with the Pharisees. Let’s now read what Jesus continued to say to the Pharisees in Matt. 23:27-28, "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." When you go to a well-kept cemetery, everything looks absolutely beautiful, with the freshly-mowed green grass and the well-arranged flowers, but you wouldn’t want to take a look inside the graves. So people may see our nice outward appearance, but what would they find on the inside?

Last week, Brother Mike Richardson asked us a very pointed question. He asked you and me, if there might be a root of bitterness within. He suggested that this is a very important issue, because if there is a root of bitterness within, it will defile many. In other words, it will not only destroy us, but it will pollute the people around us.

This morning I want to follow up on Brother Mike’s theme. But I’m not going to talk about bitterness. Rather, I want us to consider the difficulty of looking inside. Is it possible to have bitterness on the inside and hide it from others? Is it possible to have ugly things buried within, while maintaining a nice, clean appearance on the outside? In other words, how good are we at fooling other people? Even beyond that, is it possible to fool our own selves? Could I have a root of bitterness within, while believing that I am clean on the inside?

I. David’s Desire for Truth

Let’s begin with a principle that we have looked at before. Please turn to Psalm 51. This, of course, is David’s great prayer of confession, after he had committed adultery and murder. Let’s read Ps. 51:5-6, "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom." David confessed that he was a sinner from birth. But then immediately, he acknowledged that God desires truth in the inward parts.

Let’s try to understand the background of this statement. You remember that after David committed adultery with Bathsheba, she became pregnant. David was a man who knew the law of God. Remember that he was a man after God’s own heart. He knew that he had done wrong. When he then had Uriah killed, he knew how wrong it was. Nevertheless, it was almost nine months before David owned up to his sin. Even then, it required a prophet of God to come and graphically show David how ugly his sin was before God.

The question is: How was David able to live with his sin all of that time? Didn’t it bother him? When David looked back, he confessed that it did indeed bother him. Let’s read from Psalm 32, which down through the centuries has been believed to be David’s prayer after the prayer of Ps. 51. Ps. 32:3-4, "When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 4. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah."

David was a tormented man during those nine months. So why didn’t he just confess his sin to God? Why didn’t he give attention to cleaning the inside? Why did he wait so long? We are not specifically given the answers to those questions, but we know the answers, don’t we? Who hasn’t at some point experienced what David experienced? No doubt, David spent his time and energy keeping up a good outward appearance. I said that he was guilty of murder, but David made sure that it didn’t appear as murder. He could have called Bathsheba’s husband Uriah home and told one of his servants to kill Uriah on the spot. No one would have raised a hand, because David was the king. But that would not have looked good to those around him. So instead, he came up with a scheme that made it look like Uriah was killed in battle. Not only did this look better to the people of his kingdom, but it helped him to justify his action within his own heart and mind. Since he didn’t actually see Uriah die, the image of his death didn’t haunt him, as if he had killed him with his own sword or openly given the word to his servant. David must have worked hard to silence the truth. All the while, God was looking for truth in the inward parts.

Please hear me. God is still looking for truth in the inward parts. Please read with me Psalm 15…
LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2. He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 3. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. 4. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. 5. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

Here David gives a description of the person who will be able to remain in the presence of the Lord. He will walk uprightly and what he does will be right, but that isn’t all. If we read this description quickly, we might get the idea that it is all about outward behavior, but notice the words at the end of verse 2, "and speaketh the truth in his heart." It is one thing to speak the truth outwardly to other people; it is quite another to speak the truth in your heart.
When Jesus was talking to the woman at the well, He said to her, "Go and bring your husband." She replied, "I have no husband." Jesus was very gracious to her, even commenting that she had spoken the truth. However, she didn’t speak the truth in her heart, because the truth was that she had had five husbands and was currently living with a man who was not her husband. While she technically spoke the truth to Jesus, she did not speak the truth in her heart.

The Lord is looking for truth in the inward parts, for that one who will be perfectly honest with God, with himself, and then with those around him. But we must understand that it doesn’t begin with telling the truth to others; it begins with being honest with God from the inside out. This is what the Lord desires for us.

II. The Worst Deception of All – Self-Deception

We have talked a great deal about deception. Remember Jesus’ warning, "Beware of false teachers, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matt. 7:15). There are plenty of these false teachers, who are trying to deceive us. Satan himself is the great deceiver. He is the most evil being in the universe, but he masquerades as an angel of light. But we must understand that the deceptive power of Satan and false teachers works hand in hand with self-deception.

I can remember once saying to my mother, "I hate you." I was nine or ten years old at the time. I look back and wonder how I could possibly have said that to my own mother. It was a product of self-deceit. I wasn’t willing to speak the truth in my heart. I don’t remember what my mom did that made me mad, but it really doesn’t matter. At the time, I thought she was wrong and I was right. I deceived myself into thinking that she deserved to be treated like that. If I had desired truth in the inward part, I would have soon discovered that I was the one who had the problem. If I had communed with my own heart (Ps. 4:4), I would have concluded that I was angry and out of control. But I didn’t want honesty in the heart; I wanted revenge.

We can really get down on the Pharisees, and it is true that Jesus reserved His harshest words for these religious hypocrites. However, we need to be careful. While the actions of the Pharisees were evil, as pointed out by Jesus, I think they had become experts at fooling themselves. Don’t you think they believed that they were doing what was right? You may say, "No, deep down they knew they were wrong." But that’s what self-deceit does; it refuses to look at what is deep down within us. When the Pharisees were confronted with the truth, they refused to hear it.

They were able to deceive themselves into thinking that they didn’t have to listen to Jesus, because He broke God’s laws, because He didn’t keep the traditions of the elders. Why should they listen to a man who worked on the sabbath? Such a man couldn’t be from God.

I remember when I decided that we needed a better camera. We checked into it and after finding a good deal, we purchased a nice camera. But then we needed a flash to go with it. I saw one advertised in the Thrifty Nickel, so I went to check on it. When I came home, I started telling Rhonda about this wonderful deal I had found. This was not an ordinary flash attachment, this was the kind that professional photographers use. I was ready to convince Rhonda that we needed to buy this flash. When I tell you what it cost, you will think I’m making this story up, because most of you know that I tend to be thrifty. The man was asking $200, and I was willing to pay it. I had convinced myself that this was a good buy. Sure, deep down I knew it was foolishness, but I didn’t care about deep down; I cared about getting this flash. Fortunately, one look and a couple of words from my wife brought me to my senses. I needed someone to remind me about truth in the inward part.

Please excuse me for giving so many personal illustrations this morning, but it seems to be the only way I can get my point across. I haven’t been able to live inside you, but I have to live inside me quite a bit. My wife Rhonda is a very observant and perceptive person, as many wives are. In the past, she would make a statement like, "You’re mad at me." I would reply, "No, I’m not." Was I mad at her? I know there were times when I was, but I had plenty of justification for saying that I wasn’t. I wasn’t boiling with anger. Maybe I was a little bit upset, but I wasn’t mad. And who did she think she was to judge the motive of my heart? Perhaps the bottom line was this: There is no way that she could really know what was in my heart, so I was safe to say that I wasn’t mad. She could not prove me wrong. I didn’t have to worry about getting caught in a lie. But I wouldn’t own up to the fact that I was lying to myself and to God.

The more we deceive ourselves, the easier it becomes. Brother Mike read scriptures about forgiveness. Norman read a bunch more one Wednesday night not long ago. We know from the Word of God that forgiveness is absolutely vital in everyone of our lives. We must forgive. Yet this is an area where it is difficult for us to be honest with ourselves. Someone wrongs you. It hurts. But after a while, you deal with it and conclude that you have forgiven her. Maybe you have; maybe you haven’t. You aren’t consumed with the issue any more. It doesn’t keep you awake at night any more. Therefore, you must have forgiven. But have you really forgiven her? Are you able to demonstrate love to her with no hindrance? Is your relationship now stronger, because of this difficulty? Have you forgiven her? Or, are you fooling yourself?

III. The Power of Self-Deception in the Lives of the Pharisees

Let’s look at this issue of truth in the inward parts in the life of the Jewish leaders, particularly the Pharisees. We have already seen how Jesus accused them of cleaning the outside but not the inside. We see the Pharisees as being masters of deception, but we must understand that the problem was deeper than that. They were not only deceivers, but they were also deceived; they were self-deceived. Surely that was because they didn’t desire truth in the inward parts.

Perhaps we can find evidence of this, as we look at their opposition to Jesus. Watch for instances where just a little bit of desire for inward truth would have revealed their errors to them.
All three of the synoptic gospels record how Jesus healed the man with the withered hand (Matt. 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11). We find these words in Luke 6:7, "And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him." Notice that they were deliberately trying to trap Jesus in some way. Even though there was a man there whose hand did not function, they weren’t the least bit concerned about that man. Their whole focus was on condemning Jesus. That should have told them something about themselves.

After Jesus had healed the man, we then read these words in Mark 3:6, "And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him." That term "Herodians" comes from the word "Herod." The Herodians were those who were sympathetic with the rule of King Herod. The Pharisees, on the other hand, were violently opposed to Herod at every turn. Nevertheless, they were willing to set aside their convictions, as long as it helped them to destroy Jesus. This unusual alliance should have set off alarms in their minds, but they actively suppressed all truth in the inward parts.
Now let’s read Matt. 15:1-12…
Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2. Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 4. For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6. And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 7. Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8. This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 10. And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: 11. Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. 12. Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

Sometimes when we hear the Word of God preached, we are conscious that God is speaking to us, that He is convicting us. But this wasn’t just any preacher; this was Jesus, the Son of God, who skillfully used the Word to speak to these men. Rather than being convicted, they were offended. Even though Jesus used scripture to point out the hardness of their hearts, they could not – they would not – hear. They were able to silence God’s clear truth, because they didn’t desire truth in the inward parts.

Then we have the question put to Jesus: "Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?" The question was asked by that unholy alliance of the Pharisees and Herodians, as they deliberately tried to trip Jesus up in His words (Mk. 12:13). You remember Jesus’ answer, after asking them to produce a coin with the image of Caesar: "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s." All three of the synoptic gospel accounts then record that the Pharisees and Herodians marveled at Jesus’ answer (Matt. 17:22; Mark 12:17; Luke 20:26). They were amazed. Nevertheless, their amazement at the wisdom of Jesus did not shake their opposition to Him.

Let’s go back to the time when the four men brought the lame man to Jesus, lowering him down through the roof (Matt. 9:1-8; Mk. 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26). We are told that there were many Pharisees present on this occasion (Luke 5:17). Jesus first said to the man, "Your sins are forgiven." After Jesus demonstrated His ability to forgive sins by healing this man, they were all amazed (Luke 5:26). Matt. 9:8 tells us that the multitude marveled and glorified God. It is doubtful that the Pharisees glorified God. They couldn’t help being amazed, but their denial of truth in the inward parts sustained their stubborn opposition to Jesus.

Now I want to read to you from Luke 7. In Luke 7:36-50 we have the story of Jesus going to the house of a Pharisee named Simon and eating with him. As I read the story to you, try to put yourself in the place of the Pharisee. You have been resistant to this man Jesus of Nazareth, but now He is in your house. He has accepted your invitation to eat with you and your friends. Hear Jesus carefully, as He deals with you… (Luke 7:36-50)
And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38. And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43. Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50. And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

There is no record that Simon’s heart was softened. (Remember the case of another Pharisee named Nicodemus, who was changed). How could he not be moved by the tenderness with which Jesus dealt with this woman? How could he fail to see his own pride and stubbornness? It was because he didn’t desire truth in the inward parts.

In John 5, the Pharisees are not specifically mentioned. However, we find the term "the Jews" repeatedly. A careful study of this chapter (along with the chapters following) make it clear the this term refers to the Jewish leaders. No doubt, there were Pharisees among them. I suspect that this group was made up primarily of the Pharisees. Now hear what Jesus says to them in John 5:39, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." Your translation may say, "You search the scriptures…" The form of the verb makes it permissible to translate it either as a statement or a command. Which ever way we take it, the sense is not really changed. The point is that these leaders thought they had eternal life because of their knowledge of the scriptures. Jesus then says in verse 40, "And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life." They knew the scriptures, but they refused the One of whom the scriptures spoke. How could they know the scriptures so well and miss the Messiah that was prophesied of there? Was it not because they didn’t desire truth in the inward parts?

We could go on and on, but that’s enough about the Pharisees and the deep self-deception that gripped them. However, we should look at one last Pharisee. His name was Saul. Why Saul didn’t deal directly with the earthly Jesus, he was the chief persecutor of those who followed the risen Christ. When Saul was headed for the distant city of Damascus to round up more of Jesus’ followers, Jesus struck him down with a blinding light. Saul said, "Who are you, Lord?" Now recall Jesus’ answer: "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the pricks" (Acts 9:5; 26:14). What was true of the Pharisees in general, was especially true of this zealous persecutor.

The "pricks" were the sharp goads (metal points) that were placed behind the feet of the oxen which were hooked up to the plow. If an ox became rebellious and tried to kick up his heels, he would pay the price, as he would kick against those sharp points. Wisdom demanded that the ox submit and continue to plow. Now Jesus says to Saul, "It is hard for you to kick against the pricks." In other words, "Saul, it is hard for you to continue to oppose me." Why was it difficult for Saul to oppose Jesus? Outwardly, it wasn’t difficult at all. As the chief persecutor, he was greatly applauded by the Jews, especially the other Pharisees. He had developed a great reputation as the one who took the lead in dealing with this annoying sect known as "the way." Outwardly, it wasn’t difficult at all, but Jesus was referring to the inward struggle. Deep down, Saul must have known that these Christians had something he did not possess. Remember that Saul was present at the stoning of Stephen. He heard the last words of Stephen, as he said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit," and then, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge" (Acts 7:59-60). Then he watched, as Stephen "fell asleep" (Acts 7:60). It was hard for Saul to resist the power of what he saw in this man’s death. Yet he continued to plow full speed ahead in his persecution of the Christians. Surely it was because he didn’t desire truth in the inward parts. Praise God that Jesus forced Saul to consider again.

Conclusion

What about you? Is it hard for you to kick against the pricks? What about you who do not yet have the life of Christ within? Oh yes, you have acquired a lot of Bible knowledge. You come to the services; praise God! But you are still the enemy of God. You have not been reconciled to God by Jesus’ death on the cross. Are you maintaining that there is still some good in you? Deep down, do you not realize that even your best deeds are like filthy rags in the sight of God? Do you think that you are going to enter the kingdom, though you are dead in your trespasses and sins? How long will you kick against the pricks of God’s truth? Won’t you fall on your knees and cry out, "Lord, give me a desire for truth in the inward parts. Show me my need for you. Strip me of this self-deception which tells me that maybe things will turn out all right."

Or maybe you claim to belong to the Lord. But you are full of turmoil, continually kicking against God’s working to conform you to the image of Christ? Deep down, you know that you are stubborn and resistant. You work hard to resist that still small voice which urges you to surrender to the Master. Will you not cry out to God, "Lord, open the eyes of my heart. Let me see reality. I know I am blind and don’t want to see. O God, give me that desire for truth in the inward parts."

Please allow me to read the powerful words of that simple hymn "Have Thine Own Way"…

Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way;
Thou art the potter; I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way;
Search me and try me, Master, today.
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash just me now,
As in thy presence humbly I bow.

Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way;
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray.
Power, all power, surely is thine;
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.

Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way;
Hold o’er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit ‘til all shall see
Christ only always, living in me.

Prayer: Ps. 139:23-24