You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. This is the first and greatest commandment.
Asceticism is immaturity.
It is a childish relationship with God based on rules and restraint. Genuine spiritual maturity is marked by freedom that is always an expression of deep devotion to Christ. IF our primary love is for Christ Jesus, then all of our life and desires will flow out of that love. Based on that love we will say YES to some choices and NO to others regardless of whose watching, whose approving, or even what is personally convenient. I love Bev.