#40 in the Series: Daddy, It's Me--Conversations of an Ordinary Person
with an Extraordinary Heavenly Father
One of the reasons
that unbelievers give for not wanting to become a believer is that those people
they know that claim to be believers, are “hypocrites.” Jesus
saw this as not only a stumbling block to non-believers, but also a roadblock to communication with God.
saw this as not only a stumbling block to non-believers, but also a roadblock to communication with God.
“Jesus taught this parable to
those who were convinced they were morally upright and those who trusted in
their own virtue yet looked down on others with disgust: “Once there were two
men who went into the temple to pray. One was a proud religious leader, the
other a despised tax collector. The religious leader stood apart from the
others and prayed, ‘How I thank you, O God, that I’m not wicked like everyone
else. They’re cheaters, swindlers, and crooks—like that tax collector over
there. God, you know that I never cheat or commit adultery; I fast from food
twice a week and I give you a tenth of all I make.’
“The tax collector stood off
alone in the corner, away from the Holy Place, and covered his face in his
hands, feeling that he was unworthy to even look up to God. Beating his breast,
he sobbed with brokenness and tears saying, ‘God, please, in your mercy and
because of the blood sacrifice, forgive me, for I am nothing but the most
miserable of all sinners!’ “Which one of them left for home that day made right
with God? It was the humble tax collector and not the religious leader! For
everyone who praises himself will one day be humiliated before all, and
everyone who humbles himself will one day be lifted up and honored before
all.””
Luke 18:9-14 TPT
And
again Jesus addressed this issue:
“Why would you focus on the flaw
in someone else’s life and yet fail to notice the glaring flaws of your own?
How could you say to your friend, ‘Let me show you where you’re wrong,’ when
you’re guilty of even more? You’re being hypercritical and a hypocrite! First
acknowledge your own ‘blind spots’ and deal with them, and then you’ll be
capable of dealing with the ‘blind spot’ of your friend.”
Matthew 7:3-5 TPT
It is a
common thing to have prejudices and preferences when it comes to the people we
encounter in our daily lives. We make
assumptions and judgements about them without even knowing them…sometimes we
have not even met them! We believe
gossip and stereotypes. We do it so
easily that many of us do not even recognize that we do it. Again the Bible is clear and simple in its
admonition.
“My brothers and sisters, as
believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, you must never treat
people in different ways according to their outward appearance. Suppose a rich
man wearing a gold ring and fine clothes comes to your meeting, and a poor man
in ragged clothes also comes. If you show more respect to the well-dressed man
and say to him, “Have this best seat here,” but say to the poor man, “Stand
over there, or sit here on the floor by my feet,” then you are guilty of
creating distinctions among yourselves and of making judgements based on evil
motives. Listen, my dear brothers and sisters! God chose the poor people of
this world to be rich in faith and to possess the kingdom which he promised to
those who love him. But you dishonor the poor! Who are the ones who oppress you
and drag you before the judges? The rich! They are the ones who speak evil of
that good name which has been given to you. You will be doing the right thing
if you obey the law of the Kingdom, which is found in the scripture, “Love your
neighbor as you love yourself.” But if you treat people according to their
outward appearance, you are guilty of sin, and the Law condemns you as a
lawbreaker. Whoever breaks one commandment is guilty of breaking them all. For
the same one who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit
murder.” Even if you do not commit adultery, you have become a lawbreaker if
you commit murder. Speak and act as people who will be judged by the law that
sets us free. For God will not show mercy when he judges the person who has not
been merciful; but mercy triumphs over judgement.”
James 2:1-13 GNB
Ask God
to reveal to you the times and places where you are being hypocritical or
judging people. Ask him to give you His
love for people. Though it is simple, it
is not easy, but it is one more step to freedom for your mustang heart.
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Teri