Hypocrisy – Wearing a Mask
A mask covers, it hides true identity.
Remove the mask and others can see who is really there, facial features and expressions are exposed.
Jesus was invited to lunch by an unnamed Pharisee. They entered the house and Jesus sat down at the table. The Pharisee was surprised that Jesus didn’t ceremonially wash Himself before the meal as was the Jewish custom of that period. The Pharisee wasn’t concerned about hands washed to prevent germs from spreading. It was all about “show” and what others would think.
Luke 11:37-38
When the Pharisee expressed his astonishment, Jesus gave an interesting answer.
NASB Luke 11:39-41 “… ‘Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but inside of you, you are full of robbery and wickedness.
40 You foolish ones, did not He who made the outside make the inside also?
41 But give that which is within as charity, and then all things are clean for you.’”
Hypocrisy works to make one appear to be giving, loving, sincere, magnanimous.
But God sees the inside, the motives and reasons behind the mask.
Defilement begins in the mind and conscience.
Hypocrisy, religious hypocrisy, claims to know God. But from God’s point of view, He sees the detestable deeds, disobedient displays, worthless works that are actually denying Him. The Lord God sees our heart motives.
Jesus is not blind to motives and reasons, He sees behind the mask. He knows the real person.
Followers of Christ, aren’t you thankful that Jesus is your Savior? When we confess the sin of hypocrisy, He forgives us! He took that sin of hypocrisy as if He were the hypocrite! Consider this when you think of what He did on the cross for you!
Go ahead, take off the mask. Reveal to others the cleaned up person God is making you!
~ Take it to heart ~
As you step into the new year of 2020, take off the mask, God sees you!
Be real, be open, be transparent!
Let others see you, a forgiven sinner!
Turn from whatever you have tried to hide behind your mask.