Avoiding Hypocrisy by J. Stephen Lang for CBN
The old joke about hypocrites involved someone who said, “I don’t go to church. Churches are full of hypocrites.” The punch line was, “Come on in, there’s always room for one more!”
While there are no doubt hypocrites in the churches, there is no place for them in the Kingdom. God’s promises are for believers, not for those who only pretend to believe. Some of the harshest warnings in the Bible are reserved for the Great Pretenders in religion, the ones who act out a life of faith but inwardly deny it.
Smooth words may hide a wicked heart, just as a pretty glaze covers a common clay pot. People with hate in their hearts may sound pleasant enough, but don’t believe them. Though they pretend to be kind, their hearts are full of all kinds of evil. While their hatred may be concealed by trickery, it will finally come to light for all to see. Proverbs 26:23-26
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We love helping others and believe that’s one of the reasons we are chosen as Ambassadors of the Kingdom, to serve God’s children. We look to the Greatest Commandment as our Powering force.
I will not allow deceivers to serve me, and liars will not be allowed to enter my presence. My daily task will be to ferret out criminals and free the city of the LORD from their grip. Psalm 101:7
“I hate all your show and pretense — the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings. Away with your hymns of praise! They are only noise to my ears. I will not listen to your music, no matter how lovely it is. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, a river of righteous living that will never run dry. Amos 5:21-24
“Take care! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, because then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give a gift to someone in need, don’t shout about it as the hypocrites do — blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I assure you, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone, don’t tell your left hand what your right hand is doing.
