Monday, August 12, 2013

Your Inward Man

"Our outward man is perishing,
yet the inward man is being renewed day by day."

2 Corinthians 4:16

In their house, they had what looked like a tree in the family room. It was really impressive, but as you got closer, it was quite obvious that the tree was artificial. The leaves looked real. The tree looked exceptionally healthy, but it had no life in it. Most of the time, we judge things and people by the outward appearance. God looks at our inward man. He is concerned about our conscience, desires, mind and emotions. We usually call our inward man the heart.

The apostle Paul stated that our inward man is being renewed day by day. This is the work of the Spirit of Christ within every believer. He renews our faith, hope and love. He renews our joy and peace. The Holy Spirit is always at work in the believer. Most of the time, we are not consciously aware of how He is working in us. 

The Bible gives us clear instruction on how God's Spirit works within our hearts. I asked a man how God was working in his life. He said with joy, "The Lord has put a strong desire in my heart to do mission work." He was excited, because he knew in his heart what God wanted him to do. God works in our hearts to do His will.

What is God doing in your life? You may ask, "How can I really know?" Be sensitive to what is going on within you. What is happening in your conscience, desires, thoughts and emotions? Consider your burdens and passion to serve God. If something is going on within you that you don't understand, ask God for wisdom and guidance. "It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). God is at work in our inward man.

God, renew us today and everyday.