#faith #devotional #bible #matthew2325 ##deathnote #anime #flashfiction #manga
Matthew 23:25 (NLT & KJV)
NLT: “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence.”
KJV: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.”

Disclaimers: This Post is for Everyone
Whether you are someone who prefers traditional approaches to understanding Scripture or an anime fan who connects with modern storytelling, this post has something for you. We will explore Matthew 23:25 using both traditional narrative (flash fiction) and anime comparisons to show how biblical truths can be applied in multiple ways. I love Jesus use of parables and hope that as you read this that you will go and read the verse in the whole context. This is part of a series dedicated to deepening our understanding of Scripture, and each post will share biblical truths through these creative methods. If you’re here to understand how this Bible verse applies to everyday life, the flash fiction is your section. If you’re here because you’re an anime fan curious about how faith can be seen in your favorite series, the anime comparison is for you.

Flash Fiction: The Perfect Life
Samantha’s Instagram was flawless. Her posts showcased a life of perfection—morning yoga on the beach, kale smoothies in crystal glasses, and a wardrobe straight from a magazine. Her followers loved her, envying her style and discipline. What they didn’t see was the reality behind the screen. Samantha’s apartment was in chaos: dirty dishes piled high, laundry scattered, and her heart heavy with anxiety. Despite her perfect online persona, Samantha felt lonely and overwhelmed, trapped by the pressure to keep up appearances. But she couldn’t stop posting. She couldn’t let anyone see the cracks in her perfect image. Just like the Pharisees in Matthew 23:25, who were obsessed with appearing righteous on the outside while their hearts were full of corruption, Samantha focused on keeping the “outside of the cup” clean—her public image—while inside she felt empty and disorganized. Jesus’ warning about the Pharisees speaks directly to this kind of hypocrisy, where the surface looks spotless, but beneath it all is brokenness and disorder.

How Death Note Relates to Matthew 23:25
For anime fans, the character of Light Yagami from Death Note embodies the very lesson Jesus taught in Matthew 23:25. Light starts as an intelligent, honorable young man who discovers the Death Note, a notebook with the power to kill anyone whose name is written in it. Outwardly, he justifies his actions by claiming he wants to rid the world of evil. Light maintains an image of righteousness, presenting himself as a hero. However, as he continues to use the Death Note, his heart grows corrupt with pride, greed, and self-indulgence. Like the Pharisees, Light is obsessed with how others see him—polishing the outside of the cup—while his inner motivations grow darker. He becomes so consumed by power that he fails to see how far he’s fallen. Just as Jesus calls out the Pharisees for focusing only on their external image, Death Note shows us how dangerous it is when our inner lives become corrupted by selfishness, even if our outward actions seem justified. The lesson is clear: no matter how clean and righteous we look on the outside, it’s our inner motives and integrity that truly matter to God.

Conclusion: Where Do You Go From Here?
Whether you resonated more with Samantha’s story or Light Yagami’s journey, the message of Matthew 23:25 applies to us all. It’s easy to focus on appearances, whether it’s maintaining a perfect Instagram profile or pursuing a false sense of justice, but true transformation begins within. Jesus invites us to stop polishing the outside while neglecting our hearts. Instead, He offers a path toward genuine transformation that goes far deeper than appearances. If you feel like you’re constantly focused on how others perceive you but struggle with what’s happening inside, now is the time to seek real change. You don’t have to live in a cycle of self-indulgence and appearances—Jesus offers a way to clean the inside of the cup first. Start your journey today and discover how real faith can transform your life.

Join us at www.beeterrificmedia.com
This is just the beginning. If you’re interested in learning more about how anime can help illustrate Bible verses or want to dive deeper into your faith, be sure to check out our future posts in this series. Each post will explore a new verse and offer both modern storytelling and anime examples to help you understand how these timeless lessons can transform your life. Join us at www.beeterrificmedia.com for more resources and to stay connected!