DORIAN GRAY

The Victorian novel The Picture of Dorian Gray illustrates how the person we show to others may be very different from who we are on the inside. After the youthful and handsome Dorian Gray had his portrait painted, he dreaded growing old, and he wished the portrait would grow old instead.

Soon he realised that his wish had been granted. The portrait, which mirrored his troubled soul, aged and became more hideous with each sin Dorian committed, while he himself remained youthful. His outward appearance did not match his selfish heart.

Jesus told the religious leaders off for having a similar hypocrisy. Many of them took pride in showing off how good they were in public. Yet on the inside, they were guilty of selfishness, arrogance and pride. Jesus compared them to “whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of . . . everything unclean” (MATTHEW 23:27).

We are tempted to create a fake ‘profile’ for others to see. But God knows who we really are (1 SAMUEL 16:7; PROVERBS 15:3). Through admitting our mistakes and prayerfully opening our hearts to the Bible and the work of the Spirit, we can experience real change that will be shown in how we live. Let God transform you from the inside out (2 CORINTHIANS 3:17-18).

To pray about . . .

Father, it’s easy to put up a front and hide from others what we are really like. We’re thankful that we cannot hide from You. You know us. Please change us inside and out.

ONLY JESUS CAN TOTALLY TRANSFORM US.

YouTh Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries