Outward vs Inward

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Catey Stover in Freedom Fighters

Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

 

The scriptures seem to suggest there are two of us, outward vs inward, old vs new and carnal vs spiritual. I sometimes wonder which one I’m feeding. The idea of these two beings must mean one is good and needs to be promoted over the other.

“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19

Putting to death the flesh is an ongoing battle in the believer’s life. Each day I believe we have the opportunity to respond to either the flesh or the Spirit. Feeding the flesh seems to be an exhausting endeavor that never seems to satisfy, the Spirit, on the other hand, brings contentment and fulfillment. Flesh seems to be a work on our part, but Spirit is something God does. The outer man only craves material, but the inner man, through God’s spirit brings strength which comes from a desire to put off the things of the flesh.

The flesh craves which come from lust vs the Spirit from a desire which comes from need. I often hear people say “I really love the worship at Church, it makes me feel good”. If worship is properly directed it should be towards God, not us. I understand the worship experience is a moving one, but I also wonder if the flesh is being more satisfied than the Spirit. Can going to Church become an opportunity for the flesh? Sadly, I think it does. This type of experience will run dry when the flesh is no longer satisfied when it’s not fun anymore and the brokenness of life set in. Our praise should come from the inner man, not outward. True worship comes from the realization that God is everything we are not and is everything we need.

I pray we can come to the place of knowing the difference between this idea of “Outward vs Inward”. May “our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man”. Amen!

 

 

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri and serves with her as full-time staff members. He is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can reach him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org

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Think About This: “Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear.” – Corrie Ten Boom

The Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 9-13 | You can download our 2020 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the ^[b]beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. –Psalm 27:4

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.