Reflect today on when you are willing to overcome sin

Jesus said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead bones and all kinds of filth. Even so, on the outside you look right, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness ”. Matthew 23: 27-28

Ouch! Once again we have Jesus speaking in an exceptionally direct way to the Pharisees. He does not hold back at all in his condemnation of them. They are described as both "whitewashed" and "tombs". They are whitened in the sense that they do everything possible to make it appear, outwardly, that they are holy. They are tombs in the sense that dirty sin and death live in them. It is difficult to imagine how Jesus could have been more direct and more condemning towards them.

One thing this tells us is that Jesus is a man of the utmost honesty. He calls it as it is and does not mix his words. And he doesn't give false compliments or pretend that everything is fine when it isn't.

And you? Are you able to act with total honesty? No, it is not our job to do what Jesus did and condemn others, but we should learn from Jesus' actions and apply them to ourselves! Are you ready and willing to look at your life and call it what it is? Are you ready and willing to be honest with yourself and God about the condition of your soul? The problem is that we often aren't. Often we just pretend that everything is fine and ignore the "bones of dead men and all kinds of filth" lurking inside us. It is not beautiful to see and it is not easy to admit it.

So, again, what about you? Can you take an honest look at your soul and name what you see? Hopefully, you will see goodness and virtue and enjoy it. But you can be sure that you will also see sin. Hopefully not to the extent that the Pharisees had "all sorts of filth." However, if you are honest, you will see some dirt that needs to be cleaned.

Reflect today on how willing you are to 1) honestly mention the dirt and sin in your life and, 2) sincerely strive to overcome them. Do not wait for Jesus to be pushed to the point of shouting "Woe to you!"

Lord, help me take an honest look at my life every day. Help me see not only the good virtues you have formed within me, but also the filth that is there because of my sin. May I try to be cleansed of that sin so that I can love you more fully. Jesus I believe in you.