Skins


Mat 3:7  When John realized that a lot of Pharisees and Sadducees were showing up for a 

	baptismal experience because it was becoming the popular thing to do, he exploded: 

	"Brood of snakes! What do you think you're doing slithering down here to the river? Do 

	you think a little water on your snakeskins is going to make any difference? 

Mat 3:8  It's your life that must change, not your skin! 


	For certain software programs it is possible to change the "skin" from one 

appearance of color and form to a completely different one that might be more favorable for 

the moment. As one "skin" becomes old you can easily change it out for a newer one that 

might be available for download or that can be personally designed. This "skin" can reflect 

the mood of the day or its use may be influenced by it being the most popular among 

friends. While the visible "skin" of the software might be changeable and its appearance may 

take on a completely different form, however, there is an underlying function of the software 

that is unchanging from one "skin" to the other. No matter what is done to the interface 

controls, the actual design of the task that will be accomplished is unchanged. If it is a media 

player the transport of the player will be activated no matter where it is located on the 

screen and regardless of its color. Until there is an actual upgrade or transformation of the 

function of the software itself, there will be no effect whatsoever by the change of 

appearance. Though a function change will many times bring an appearance change, the 

inverse is not true. 

	While it is very easy to observe the conduct and the appearance of a person, the 

actual motivation and condition of the life within is not as easy to understand or define. If it 

is the popular and attractive way of the moment it can be thought that by just taking on their 

actions and appearance you may become like the one admired. Making the outside changes 

alone, though, will never mean that an internal change has been made. There will always be 

an outward change that comes as a result of an inward transformation, but changing the 

outward "skin" alone will never bring about a desired inward transformation. 

	As we are pursuing a life of righteousness in Christ, there are opportunities to get 

caught up in the actions or appearance of those that might appear to be successful or 

popular at the moment. If the motivation of the heart is to build a successful ministry or to 

go to the next level spiritually, the attempts at making outward changes will bring about no 

legitimate inward transformation. These outward changes alone will leave the inward 

functions untouched and still in need of change. However, as the focus is changed from the 

outward elements to the inward matters of the heart and giving oneself to being changed by 

the Spirit, there will be no problem with the needed outward changes as they are 

transformed from the inside out. As appearances are taken from their place of honor and 

replaced by the presence and adoration of the Father, there will be a most definite 

transformation of the heart. Evidence of this transformation will then be incredibly evident 

in every aspect of life. As our worship of the Father is in spirit and in truth and as our lives 

begin to show evidence of His presence, there will be those who want to acquire this same 

success in life. It will never be about what we are doing or how we look doing it, it will 

always be about Him alone and this incredible, never-ending inner transformation He is 

causing to take place. 


2/27/04