Recently, I went to great lengths to help a friend. My efforts cost me significant time, money, and energy. And what did I get in return when it was all said and done? Nothing. Not even a “thank you.”
My stewing over this person’s lack of gratitude came to an abrupt halt, however, when I discovered a stack of blank “thank you” cards on my desk. I had neglected to fill them out and send them to people who had done far more for me than I had done for my friend.
Prior to this discovery, I had actually told myself, I would never fail to thank someone when thanks is due. The unwritten cards proved otherwise and emphasized that—once again—I needed the rebuke found in Luke 6:42: “How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?”
Am I alone here, or do you also find it easier to find faults in others than to be honest about your own shortcomings? Scripture doesn’t sugarcoat how God feels about hypocrisy. It clearly states that He takes no pleasure in people’s false appearances of virtue (Psalm 78:36-37), particularly the expression of our faith.
Jesus said, “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence!” (Matthew 23:25). And while we may think our flaws and sins are concealed, they aren’t. “For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes” (Proverbs 5:21).
Unlike people, God can see into the depths of our heart (1 Samuel 16:6-8). He won’t relate to our hypocrisy, but He can help us live out honesty and integrity.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 11:14-32
More:
Read 1 Timothy 4:2 to see the effects of hypocrisy on your conscience.
Next:
Ask God to show you an area of hypocrisy in your life. How will you apply the truths found in God’s Word to this issue?
daisymarygoldr on August 3, 2011 at 1:35 am
“When you must point out the mistakes and failings of others, remind them of your shortcomings. This helps you come across as sympathetic rather than self-righteous.”
ecieun on August 3, 2011 at 2:22 am
thank you for your post. And thank you daisymarygold. Recently rebuked a friend on a matter and felt I was a bit too harsh. God, grant me the wisdom to do and say the right thing.
regina franklin on August 3, 2011 at 5:26 am
Roxanne,
Thank you for the reminder. I, too, have “been there, done that.” I have also been guilty of holding others to my way of doing things rather than God’s.
GChoo on August 3, 2011 at 7:07 am
Thank you for the reminder and all your sharing. I can relate to them too. I used to get disappointed with loved ones and friends when they did not show their appreciation for my kindness and help. But, as i walk closer with God and daily feed on His Word, He continues to enlighten me. And He reminded me that He knows and this is far more important than all the earthly rewards or appreciation i can get.
Truly when we have a deeper relationship with God, we begin to see more of our weaknesses, be more understanding and more loving towards others.
winn collier on August 3, 2011 at 8:22 am
Hypocrisy is all the more cunning when it comes masquerading as spiritual superiority – not that I would know about this, of course.
levikahn on August 3, 2011 at 11:33 am
Oswald Chambers has a great comment; When you get to heaven ask God to criticize you as you have criticized others.
histool on August 3, 2011 at 8:23 pm
Oswald, I can relate to your story. I did so much for somebody. Sacrificed all that is in me. Spent almost all I had on them. When things got better, not only did I not receive a “thank you”, I was ignominously avoided by them. Even phone calls were not returned. I got angry initially. The spirit of God in me then told me that what happened to me is what God gets from the multitude of people in the world every day, every hour, every minute, every second. I was reminded that I have done this to God too. The soreness I felt was replaced by sympathy for God…a Great God…being treated this way by the creatures He created after providing for them and shielding them from danger. From that day, I resolved that as far as His Spirit will enable me, I will keep to his commandments and be attached to Him more than anything in the world. My experience with humans was the greatest sermon I had received.
OnMyWayHome on August 3, 2011 at 10:02 pm
Yes I can relate, I kept hurting others and I’m still trying to change what’s taken me years to become now knowing it is wrong. Thank you again for the reminder.
From Oswald Chambers:
Jesus’ instructions with regard to judging others is very simply put; He says, “Don’t.” The average Christian is the most piercingly critical individual known. Criticism is one of the ordinary activities of people, but in the spiritual realm nothing is accomplished by it. The effect of criticism is the dividing up of the strengths of the one being criticized. The Holy Spirit is the only one in the proper position to criticize, and He alone is able to show what is wrong without hurting and wounding. It is impossible to enter into fellowship with God when you are in a critical mood. Criticism serves to make you harsh, vindictive, and cruel, and leaves you with the soothing and flattering idea that you are somehow superior to others. Jesus says that as His disciple you should cultivate a temperament that is never critical. This will not happen quickly but must be developed over a span of time. You must constantly beware of anything that causes you to think of yourself as a superior person. Stop having a measuring stick for other people. There is always at least one more fact, which we know nothing about, in every person’s situation. there is no possibility of pride remaining in us. I have never met a person I could despair of, or lose all hope for, after discerning what lies in me apart from the grace of God.
-Oswald Chambers
Sorry I went long…..