JESUS SPEAKING
In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have said in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the rooftops” (Luke 12: 1-3.)
INSPIRED THOUGHTS
It is human nature to ‘put our best foot forward.’ To present ourselves in a manner that commands respect and adoration. This desire for adulation is so strong, it often gives birth to hypocrisy; a condition of incongruence between the person we present to others, and the person we actually are. Hypocrisy is an outward charade that can mislead even the most intelligent people; but God is never fooled; He sees what is done in secret, in darkness and in light; He sees in to the bathroom and the bedroom (no door can shut him out.) He hears the faintest whisper as though it were a roar. He comprehends every thought, and knows the intentions of the heart.
In 2006, a very influential evangelical pastor strongly supported an effort to prohibit gay-marriage within the state of Colorado (which in itself was a Godly pursuit.) However, as amendment 43 was being contemplated, a male escort named Mike came forward with some unbelievable allegations. He had been secretly engaging in drug abuse and homosexual activity with this Pastor for nearly three years. When Mike found out who his customer was he said, “It made me angry […] here’s someone preaching against gay marriage and going behind the scenes having gay sex. I had to expose the hypocrisy.” This Pastor was publicly disgraced. He had hidden his sin from the body of Christ, his congregation, and even his own family; but he couldn’t hide it from God. The truth always makes its way to the surface.
Jesus warned his followers to avoid hypocrisy, because it leads to destruction. The Christian is called to be genuine; to maintain purity, holiness and love in all situations; to be a true representative in public and in private. No one can hide the truth from God. What is hidden will always be made known. Search your heart; if you find hypocrisy, turn to God and ask Him to remove it. Repent and be reconciled to Your maker; let His love and mercy overwhelm and transform you. May He create in you a clean heart; and may your life be a shining example of genuine Christianity.
“Lord Heavenly Father, if we have been deceiving others or ourselves, we ask for Your forgiveness; search our hearts and minds and if You find any hypocrisy we beg You to remove it. May we always serve You with complete sincerity; may our actions always be genuine, and may our lives be filled with truth. We love You Lord, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you.
Jesus Speaks 