This morning in my Bible reading I read in Romans where it is talking about hypocrites. This is something that always hits me. I never, ever want to be a hypocrite. I want to practice what I preach.
You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you. Romans 2:22-24
So many people, good people, even Christian people, take God's Word and use it for their benefit. They might follow only the parts they want to and leave out parts that they do not want to obey. And some twist God's words to fit their current situation or needs.
We know adultery is wrong, period. No way around that. But they may be having an emotional relationship with someone other than their spouse. Or maybe the look at p*rnography or watch television shows where the men and women are dress inappropriately or there are "love" scenes. Recently I taught the Ten Commandments to the kids in my Wednesday night Bible study. When we got to number seven, Thou shalt not commit adultery, I wanted the kids to understand this still applies to them even though they are not married. I taught it to them as having unpure thoughts about anyone other than your own husband/wife. If you are having unpure thoughts about that woman on tv, that shirtless man on a billboard, or a friend, you are committing adultery. So if we are preaching against it, yet doing it, we are being a hypocrite.
We know idols are wrong, but are we putting things above God? Our video games, iphones, laptops, new car, fancy house, all of that is great, but is it above God? Do video games come before our quiet time? Does our fancy house come before helping the broken? Does our iphone stand in the way of listening at church? Then we are putting things before God. This is idolatry.
Friends, I want to encourage you take a good look at your life. Is there an area that you are dishonoring God? Is there an area you are being hypocritical about? Turn it over to God. Ask Him to help you live a life fully pleasing to Him.
Sweet Blessings~
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Great post! Matthew 5:28..."Anyone who lusts over a woman has already commited adultery with her in his heart." I believe this is for women as well as men...
ReplyDeleteVery true!
ReplyDeleteI agree. It is always so good to daily invite God into our heart mind and soul to search and test and see if their is anything not pleasing to Him (psalm 139:23-24) Our ways are not His ways and we need His daily help and guidence to keep ourselves on the path He has for us.
ReplyDeleteA daily invite for Him to search us is a great thing!
ReplyDeleteSuch a convicting post Jenifer! I do not want to be a hypocrite either. I am grateful for His Word that reminds us how to live His love and forgiveness that allows us back in when we sin. Great post!
ReplyDeleteHeidi, so true, His Word reminds us how to live! And His love and forgiveness gives us grace!
ReplyDeleteOn Sirius XM The Message, my fav Christian radio station - said something like - Hypocrisy isn't religion or politics, it's pointing fingers by people who think they are morally superior to others. It is important I think to live a humble life and not be pointing fingers at anyone. Great post :)
ReplyDeleteVery true Ms Kathleen!
ReplyDeleteSo true, Jenifer. We tend to think of idols as little figurines or statues, but anything that takes the place of God is an idol.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Joan
That's right, Joan, idols don't have to be statues!
ReplyDeleteHi Jenifer - great encouragement to examine our lives and what we have in our homes and hearts that we shouldn't
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy