In the USA we put a lot of effort into managing “appearances.” It’s not evil. After all, a nice haircut and some new clothes can be quite useful and nice. The problem comes when we think this is all we need for a better life.
Jesus said in Luke 6, 43“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”
In other words if we want deep, meaningful change, it starts in the heart. Heart transformation begins when we realize that Jesus loves us, wants a relationship with us, and we follow his direction for our lives.
One of the best books, I have ever read on this topic is called: The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg. (Our middle school and high school group leaders are studying this together right now.
If you are interested, you can follow this LINK to amazon to get a copy for yourself.
It is also available as an Audio book at
http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_1?asin=B002UZN65Y&qid=1285101738&sr=1-1
if you would rather listen than read, either way the story about Mable is worth the price and time of the whole book, though the rest is good too.