Hypocrisy

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of  hypocrisy and iniquity.” Matthew 23:27-28

Have you ever been stopped short by the Holy Spirit when He pointed out an attitude you entertained in your mind or heart that was not patterned after Jesus’ attitude? What was your initial response to the Holy Spirit’s correction? It is not a comfortable position in which to find yourself! The first order of business is to get on your knees before the Lord and ask Him to remove this undesirable “beam” in your mind’s eye.

Job realized the seriousness of this sin, and he also knew the remedy. In Job 13:16, he said, “He also shall be my salvation: for a hypocrite shall not come before him.”

Jesus could spot hypocrisy in those around Him very quickly. He wasted no time in bringing it to their attention. “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5) Here Jesus exhorts you to deal first with your own sin, and then to accept the responsibility of assisting your brothers and sisters in the Lord with their cleansing.

PRAY:
“Father, I recognize my need for Your forgiveness and cleansing. Please help me to gently assist my fellowman when I see a need in his life. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”