An Inside-Out Job

Change.

Change is an essential part of the Christian life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that if we are in Christ, we are a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come. But, what does that change look like?

Have you ever known someone who says the right things, maybe even does the right things, but it just doesn’t seem genuine? Maybe he/she carries himself/herself with an air of righteousness, but you hear stories of what life is like at home.

I often think of the Pharisees. They stood on the street corners praying loudly for all to hear. They wore phylacteries with scripture. They had an outward appearance of righteousness. But Jesus called them out, referring to them as white-washed tombs, washed clean on the outside but full of nothing but death on the inside.

That is never the way God intended for us to live.

God designed change to be an inside-out job. He has always been far more concerned about our hearts than our outward appearances. He wants us to change the way we think, knowing that our outward actions flow from our heart.

Have you ever known someone who changed his/her physical appearance? Maybe the person lost weight and underwent an amazing external transformation. Did he/she suddenly have all kinds of confidence? Did he/she immediately see himself/herself as fit? Beautiful? In other words, did his/her thoughts about himself/herself change with the physical appearance?

Or did he/she still harbor deep-seated insecurities? Was she struggling to see herself the way everyone around her did? Was she able to confidently step into a new identity just because she changed the outside?

The truth is, external changes rarely produce the internal changes we all desire. I could be a perfect size 6, but my perception of myself could still be one of the overweight, frumpy, middle-aged mom. Unless I change the script in my mind, my internal view of myself may never match my exterior. I will never blossom into the beauty God created me for.

Many of us have walked through difficult relationships. Maybe we’ve been torn down by others, by words telling us we are unworthy. Maybe we see ourselves as unloved or unloveable because of the rejection of someone who claimed to love us. Maybe we struggle with our self-worth because of something someone else said or did. Maybe we don’t see what the world around us sees because even though our external has changed, our internal has not experienced the same change.

My friends, to succeed at this thing called life, we have to change from the inside out. If we change our externals without an inside change, we are like the Pharisees, clean and shiny on the outside but full of death on the inside.

How does all of this play out? Let me give you an example. Before I was married (the first time), I was a strong, confident individual. I had graduated high school and college at the top of my class. By all accounts, I had everything put together. After 17 years of a difficult marriage, I was no longer strong and confident. When I looked in the mirror, I saw a frumpy, middle-aged mom. I was an empty shell of who I had once been.

My change actually started on the inside. As I looked at myself and heard the words of my now ex-husband telling me I was nothing special, I got mad! In an instant, I felt the old Dena welling up inside of me, reminding me of the confidence I once had. I made a decision to grow back into that person. I made some simple changes in my life, and I quickly began to see my external match the changes in my mindset.

I began to see myself as God sees me.

And how does God see me?

He tells me I am worthy! Isaiah 43:4

I am a masterpiece! Ephesians 2:10

I am loved! Colossians 3:12 

I am forgiven! Ephesians 1:7

I am chosen! 1 Peter 2:9

I am a new creation! 2 Corinthians 5:17

I am not condemned! Romans 8:1

I am more than a conqueror! Romans 8:37

I am victorious! 1 Corinthians 15:57

Oh friend! I beg you to change your internal script, to change how you see yourself! When we continue to believe a false script, it makes us vulnerable. Vulnerable to settle for less than we deserve. Vulnerable to believe we don’t deserve someone who sees us as worthy and valuable. Vulnerable to get into an unhealthy situation.

How do we change from the inside out?

1. Identify the truth. John 8:32 tells us when we know the Truth, Truth will set us free. Dig into scripture. Take the verses above and add to them additional verses telling you what God sees in you.
2. Repeat the truth. Write the truth on notecards. Memorize the scriptures. Read them out loud. Every. Single. Day. Multiple times per day. Never let a day go by when you don’t remind yourself who God says you are.
3. Take your thoughts captive. When you catch yourself telling yourself lies, take your thought captive as 2 Corinthians 10:5 says. Replace the lie with the truths you have identified above.
4. Experience transformation. Only after you have changed your internal script and begun to believe the truth will you be transformed by the renewing of your mind. This change is a lasting change, a change that originates on the inside and flows to the outside. This change is a life-changing type of change.

Friends, will you join me? Will you begin today to change your internal script so you can experience the fullness of Christ’s love?