The Inner Self

July 12, 2023

Luke 6:39-45 | Psalm 112

The inner self is a bit of a tough concept to pin down. We know we have thoughts that others don’t hear. We know we think within ourselves and can feel within ourselves. But the inner self…how does one control it?

What makes the inner self good or bad as Jesus talks about?

Some Christians believe the inner self can be changed in an instant. Most Christians believe it changes over time. A whole bunch still yet believe it happens in both ways at different times.

Regardless, Jesus teaches that people can change.

It comes through prayer and receiving the work of God’s grace through the holy spirit. It takes effort to hear God, but the effort in changing our inner selves is God’s as we invite God to be at work in us and through us.

Our actions are ours and they flow from within. But the inner self - we offer it to God.

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Luke 6:39-45

Jesus also told them a riddle. “A blind person can’t lead another blind person, right? Won’t they both fall into a ditch? Disciples aren’t greater than their teacher, but whoever is fully prepared will be like their teacher. Why do you see the splinter in your brother’s or sister’s eye but don’t notice the log in your own eye? How can you say to your brother or sister, ‘Brother, Sister, let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ when you don’t see the log in your own eye? You deceive yourselves! First take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s or sister’s eye.

“A good tree doesn’t produce bad fruit, nor does a bad tree produce good fruit. Each tree is known by its own fruit. People don’t gather figs from thorny plants, nor do they pick grapes from prickly bushes. A good person produces good from the good treasury of the inner self, while an evil person produces evil from the evil treasury of the inner self. The inner self overflows with words that are spoken.

Psalm 112

Praise the Lord!
    Those who honor the Lord,
    who adore God’s commandments, are truly happy!
Their descendants will be strong throughout the land.
    The offspring of those who do right will be blessed;
    wealth and riches will be in their houses.
    Their righteousness stands forever.
They shine in the dark for others who do right.
    They are merciful, compassionate, and righteous.
Those who lend generously are good people—
    as are those who conduct their affairs with justice.
Yes, these sorts of people will never be shaken;
    the righteous will be remembered forever!
They won’t be frightened at bad news.
    Their hearts are steady, trusting in the Lord.
Their hearts are firm; they aren’t afraid.
    In the end, they will witness their enemies’ defeat.
They give freely to those in need.
    Their righteousness stands forever.
    Their strength increases gloriously.
The wicked see all this and fume;
        they grind their teeth, but disappear to nothing.
    What the wicked want to see happen comes to nothing!

Prayer

God,

Make me yours. Cleanse my thoughts. Help me to think upon your goodness, holiness, and love. Remove from me those things of inner, seeping anger. Cast out from me jealousy and comparison. Help me to think well about all things - creation, the future, others.

Create in me a new heart and renew within me a right spirit.

By your spirit & in Christ,

Amen.