HEART ATTITUDE 2 - God knows your heart.

Heart Attitude - English file

Herzenshaltung - German file

Devotional Thoughts about 1 Samuel Chapter 16

Although we know that a person’s appearance doesn’t necessarily reflect who he really is inside, we still tend to give lots of weight to outward impressions. We’re drawn to good-looking children and tolerate more sass from them than from unattractive kids. We’re inclined to like sharp-looking, well-spoken political candidates and may actually vote for them, even if they don’t represent our convictions.

Samuel was also impressed by Jesse’s fine-looking brood of sons. He was convinced that Eliab, the oldest, was the ideal choice for the next king. Surely the wide­spread practice of primogeniture (the firstborn inheriting the estate or title) influenced his opinion.

But God let him know that His view is very different from our human perception, because He has access to a person's inside, his heart. We actually see throughout the Bible that God has often chosen the younger or the more unlikely one for His promises or tasks. (See Genesis 25:23; 48:17-19.)

When Samuel had gone through the whole group of brothers without God’s indication of approval, he asked if there were any more sons. Sure enough, the youngest had been so unlikely that he hadn’t even been invited to the anointing! The whole event was delayed as David was fetched. God gave His approval, and Samuel anointed him in front of his older brothers. David actually had appealing outward qualities, too (16:12,18), but they paled in comparison to the fact that God was with him.

Lord, help me remember that only You have the whole story on anybody. Help me to concentrate on my own relationship to You.

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HEART ATTITUDE 1 - Even those who seem good on the outside have sin on the inside.

 Heart Attitude 1 - English files

Herzenshaltung 1 - German files 

Devotional Thoughts about Matthew 23:1-36

Especially these days, it’s politically incorrect to say that everyone has sin inside, but that’s what the Bible says (Jeremiah 17:9). And Jesus spoke about the sin of the very people in His day who taught others about God and led them in worshipping Him. Jesus advised people to do what they said but not what they did (Matthew 23:3). Then He pointed out their inconsistencies.

They were proud of their high positions and promoted their public images by focusing on outward actions and appearances. However their commitment to showing mercy, justice and faith suffered while their thoughts revolved increasingly around themselves.

This is a problem even for Christians—and especially for Christians—because having once faced the problem of our sins and accepted Christ’s atonement for them, our sense of what is right and wrong is sharpened. Thus we’re very susceptible to seeing the wrong in others and becoming self-righteous.

I’ll never forget the title of a booklet I once read called The Pharisee in Me. I’m reminded of its relevance when I look honestly inside and recognize once again how tolerant I am of my own failings.

Lord, please help me remember that I have no righteousness at all except for what You’ve given me. Help me to come to You early and often to confess my wrong thoughts, words and deeds.

Downloading lesson files

If you're interested in the lesson files, simply click on the appropriate link above to download them in the desired language. See the Informational Pages in the right column for more about the lesson series. The next post and lesson will be the second and last in the topic Heart Attitude.