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The Inner Core of Man

Inner core is the center of an object; the most important and vital part, and can be utilized in a spiritual sense. Our Lord said: Judge not according to appearance, but judge a righteous judgment (John 7:24). A commentary pointed out that we must not judge any by their outward appearance, not by their titles, the figure they make in the world, and their show, but by their worth, and gifts and graces of God's Spirit in them.

Jesus said of the scribes and Pharisees of His day: Woe to you for you are like whitewashed tombs, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity (Matthew 23:25-28).

Jesus did not hold back in condemning self-righteousness, that of a judgmental spirit, esteeming one self about that of another. He was able to look into the inner core of man and know of what character that person consisted of. An apple may appear beautiful on the outside but be rotten to the core.

God's Righteous Judgment

Concerning the inner core of man, there are other biblical references that reflect God's righteous judgment. Jesus told of two men who went into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee, and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed saying, God, I thank you, that I am not as other men are, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I possess.
The tax collector standing afar off would not so much as lift up his eyes unto heaven, but beat on his breast saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted (Luke 18:9-14).
Tax collectors were known for being corrupt. Pharisees on the other hand were held in high esteem by most. Listeners would have expected the Pharisee to be exalted and the tax collector condemned. The Pharisee's expressed the letter of the law in their piety. But their pride and contempt for others reveals their true state of heart (or inner core). The tax collector's anguished confession would be followed by results in keeping with repentance.
A Pastor from Panama
We had a Pastor of a church in the country of Panama come to minister to us at the church. I instantly felt a bond with this man. He could speak no English, he used an interpreter while ministering to us, but the power of God used him mightily to minister in a marvelous way. He preached the Word of God in a powerful way but yet at the same time was very humble and loving. God performed many miracles through His ministry.
I could have been as the Pharisee, not willing to accept this man because he was of a different culture, race, but if I had, I would not have been able to reap from his ministry. Let us, as children of God, be careful as to how we weigh our decisions towards those whom we come in contact with.

God Cannot Be Deceived
Many years ago, a well-known ministry folded, because of financial corruption, and the Lord brought a scripture to my mind shortly thereafter: Forasmuch as your treading is upon the poor, and you take from him burdens of wheat: you have built houses of hewn stone (or man-made), but you shall not dwell in them; you have planted desireable vineyards, but you shall not drink wine of them (Amos 5:11).
Man may deceive man but he cannot deceive God. Scripture reveals that God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting (Galatians 6:3-8).
America's Inner Core
We live in a land of promise that is fast becoming the opposite. America's inner core has become festered by immoral thoughts, actions, and attitudes. The electronic marvels of our day have made the product of immorality more appealing that that of walking upright before the Lord. This nation, as well as others, has dipped into the cesspool of immorality with no feeling of remorse.
Scripture reveals that in the latter times some shall depart from faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron (1 Timothy 4:1-2). America has become branded (or scarred) in its conscience. When one becomes scarred by sin they often carry around the awareness of their guilt, yet continue preaching to others.