During a police raid on a suspected drug dealer’s home in Springfield, Massachusetts, detectives made an interesting discovery.

On the suspect’s nightstand they found a Bible, not something expected in a drug dealer’s home. But upon opening the sacred Scripture, they weren’t too surprised to find that the Bible had been hollowed out. Inside was a 9MM pistol with a 10-round magazine. What many open to seek comfort and encouragement, this drug dealer would open to kill.

It’s an old story – using something like the Bible to cover one’s evil purpose. Many others do this same thing. Shady politicians quote the Bible to elicit sympathy when caught in wrongdoing. Some of the wackiest theorists have wrapped their ideas up in Biblical passages to give them a sense of authority or authenticity.

Jesus Himself warned us to look out for “wolves in sheep’s clothing” – people who pretend to be benevolent but in their hearts are self-seeking and hateful (Matthew 7:15-19). This is why there is such an emphasis in the Scripture to be authentic in one’s faith through and through, to be the devout person one claims to be. “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart,” (1 Samuel 16:7, NKJV).

Comedian Billy Crystal’s character “Fernando” used to say, “It’s much better to look good than it is to feel good.” In reality, it’s much better to be good – and to do good – than it is to look or feel good! “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings,” (Jeremiah 17:10).

Ask the Lord to search your heart, reveal what displeases Him, and give you the grace and power to become the person He created you to be.

PRAYER:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting,” -Psalm 139:23-24, NKJV
Amen.