Modern people tend to be very tactile. “Actions speak louder than words.” We like physical results. We like concrete, measurable objectives.

I get that. Our actions need to back up our words. Physical results and measurable objectives are important.

But when it comes to being like Jesus, we can mistakenly conclude that it’s only about what is happening in our physical world: volunteering, sharing the good news, going to Sunday services, reading our Bibles.

Again, don’t get me wrong. All of that is very, very good. 

But the transformation and growth which God is working in our lives goes much deeper. It seeks to build a unity and harmony between what is happening on the inside of us and what is happening on the outside of us.

For example, Jesus affirmed the command to not murder, but also looked within: “I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:22). He did the same with adultery: “I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).

In his heart.

Mark Clark puts it this way: “Jesus changes not just what we do but what we want to do.”*

Ask God to help you change your wants. Ask him to make you desire godly things. Strive for joyful faithfulness deep within. Take “captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

The result is expanding goodness, overflowing love, robust truth, and profound blessing.

“Jesus changes not just what we do but what we want to do.”

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Notes:

–NEW PODCAST AND BLOG: “A note to the church after the election.” Click here.

-The Up Devotional is published 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and returns on May 5, 2025.

-Mark Clark, The Problem of God: Answering a Skeptic’s Challenges to Christianity (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2017), 246.

-Bible quotes are from the NIV.