Joel M Bradshaw

6Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7“Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts?–Mark 2

Many of us are practical Pharisees. We remain disciplined with our words, attitudes, and deeds, but undisciplined when it comes to our thoughts, feelings, and inner narratives. I know I struggle with this? Do you?

I journey with people in recovery. Their war is both outside and inside. And our text today reveals to us that Jesus sees what is occurring within the inside you. He sees and understands your unseen struggle. This is comforting for the silent sufferer and the overlooked individual. But this is terrifying for the inward hypocrite.

I recently spoke to a men’s purity support group. I shared that the war begins on the inside, with an inner commitment of repentance. It then goes to the outside as activities begin to stop that need to cease. It then goes back inside. For lust is just as much of an inward, unseen battle as it is outward activity.

The inside-outside-inside war was there for the Prodigal in Luke 15 as well. He resolved in his heart to go and then went back home. He faced a forgiving dad and a bitter brother. His new war was inside in the narrative he then maintained.

Jesus sees your inside struggle. There is no hiding from him. Seek discipline to your thoughts. Take selfish ones captive and replace them with self-talk that honors God. Intentionality and discipline with accountability is your only path forward. A disciplined outside with an undisciplined inside is not winning the war.–JMB