Inspection
This word really means to look at something closely. I think the idea behind inspection is to look a bit beyond what you see to make sure you’re not missing anything. I schedule home inspections for our buyers because the buyer is usually looking to see if their furniture will fit. I want the inspector to look at all the place we can’t see and look at the details of the home that my buyers want.
Jesus spoke of inspection at a deeper level than a physical inspection of a house. He speaks of inspection of people’s actions or behaviors. Check this out….
15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. (Matthew 7:15-20 NLT)
A person who steals is a thief.
A person who lies is a liar.
A person who commits adultery is an adulterer.
When Jesus spoke about judging others, He was warning us NOT to judge motives. Actions are a bit different – they are out there in the open. The actions of my life are the fruit of my heart. I believe my actions follow my heart. My heart needs my attention because it produces my actions and thoughts. Upon further inspection, my heart is sometimes full of pride and deceit. I need the Lord’s help daily in cleaning up and cleaning out.
I need to pay close attention to my heart, but I should also notice the actions and activities of others. The people I’m friends with can be identified by their actions – it is the fruit of their heart as well.
I think the priority of my day is to inspect my heart. I need God’s help in cleaning it up and cleaning my heart out. I invite others to inspect the fruit of my heart – my daily actions.
Pressing On!
Dwayne