Most people look at the Ten Commandments and say “Well, I’ve never killed anyone. I’ve never committed adultery. I’ve never done this or that. So I’m doing pretty good!” However, it’s not just our actions that matter. When preaching His “Sermon on the Mount”, Jesus Christ said. ““You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool’, will be liable to the hell of fire….You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28)
It’s not just our outward actions that are important, it’s what is on the inside that matters! Even thinking about breaking a commandment is wrong. When we allow bad thoughts and desires to fill our minds and we dwell on them – we are breaking God’s law! It doesn’t matter if we never actually commit the “sins”, if we think long about committing them, and if we could get away with it we would commit them, we’re in the wrong!
Following Jesus Christ is a LOT more than just not performing outward transgressions. You see, we can fool people all over the world by our outward actions. However, God looks on our hearts and sees what is on the “inside”. And THAT is what He cares about. Oh, he cares about our outward actions too, but if we don’t allow ourselves to think about committing sins, we’re most likely not going to actually commit them.
When Samuel was looking for the new king to annoint over Israel, He too looked to much on the outward actions and appearance, but God told him “But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) Because when what is on the inside is right, the outward actions will follow!
Many people have all the outward actions down pat. They know how to put on an act, and pretend everything is right on the inside. However, we can’t fool God! God knows what is in our hearts, and that is what He looks at. That is what He will on day judge us by!