In passing judgment on another you condemn yourself because you, the judge, practice the very same things. – Romans 2:1
Hypocrisy can be very easy to spot in other people. You may have heard someone say that they won’t attend church because it’s full of hypocrites. It’s harder to recognize it in oneself. Perhaps that’s why Billy Graham said about hypocrisy, “Ask God to reveal hypocrisy in your life—an inconsistency between what you profess and what you practice. Then ask God to bring you so close to Christ that you won’t have any desire to live an inconsistent, deceitful life.” Having hypocrisy in your life is like having roaches in the house. You want to know of their presence and you want them out!
If Jesus had a pet peeve it was apparently hypocrisy. He called the religious leaders hypocrites to their faces, pointing out their many transgressions. They demanded burdens from others that they would not carry themselves. They did good deeds to be seen by others. They craved honor and special treatment. They discipled others to be worse than they were themselves. They valued money over God’s temple and altar. They tithed the tiniest of things but neglected justice, mercy, and faithfulness. They did things to look good, but their hearts were evil. They persecuted prophets whom God sent (Matthew 23).
There are Christians who claim to believe in prayer, yet don’t pray. What do you believe about prayer? Does your prayer life line up with your beliefs? As you pray today, ask God to reveal any areas in your life where your actions do not match up with what you say you believe. Then intercede for the Church in the United States to become so close to Christ that hypocrisy is dissolved by devotion.
Today’s Verse: Romans 2:1
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 6:1-8
6 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
