Keeping Up Appearances

"We're all like the moon; we have a dark side we don't want anyone to see."   - Mark Twain

There are some who make the mistake of thinking that it's okay to sin, as long as they aren't being hypocritical about it. It's not that uncommon to hear someone say, "Look, I know I'm not perfect, but at least I'm not hypocritical about it." This incorrect assumption couldn't be further from the truth. Hypocrisy is the worst form of sin!

Most of us go to church every Sunday. We carry our Bibles, bring our offerings, sing every worshp song, and listen to every word the pastor says. However, does it really change anything in our hearts? Granted, we might look good on the outside, but is our goodness only skin deep? Is our worship simply a big show for outward appearance only, and not sincerely from the heart?

This is not some new revelation. Jesus encountered this same problem during his ministry. We read in Matthew 15:2-3, that some Pharisees and scribes complained to Jesus about how some of his disciples had been viewed eating without washing their hands first. The religious laws and traditions of the day were quite stringent about hand washing prior to eating.

The religious leaders questioned him, "Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread (Matthew 15:2)." Jesus responded to them, "You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’” (Matthew 15:7-9)

You see, they (the Pharisees) were more concerned about whether some had clean hands, or not, according to the laws and tradition. Jesus, on the other hand, was more concerned about having a clean heart. He exemplifies this in Matthew 15:10 when he tells his disciples, "What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”

We can all go through the motions of whatever we think a devout Christian should look, or act like. Anyone can "put up a good front," as they say. Hypocrisy is not easily brushed aside, or painted over. Hypocrisy has everything to do with your heart.

You can read your Bible consistently. You can sit in church all day long, You can listen to the best sermon you have ever heard. You can serve the church from sunrise to sunset. But if your heart isn't changed, it really doesn't matter. It's all only skin deep (Matthew 15:17-20).

Jesus knew that following laws and traditions wasn't enough to deep-clean our sinful hearts. Outwardly everything might look nice and shiny, but inwardly, where it really counts, we are are mess. Who are you trying to impress? Others in the church? The community? The people you work with? Your family?

Get your heart straight for the One who truly matters, and cares. Jesus! I'm not saying that it will be easy. It will take some work and time. No one likes being called a "hypocrite." But, it is so easy to become one without even realizing it.

Remember, Jesus is most concerned that our hearts are clean. Stay strong in Jesus, let Him soak into your heart. Like a deeply-watered tree, your roots of faith will grow deep and strong, reaching down into your heart.

Scripture: 1 John 4:20; Romans 2:3; Luke 12:2; Galatians 6:3; Proverbs 26:23-26 

Prayer: Holy Father, help me keep my heart in check, and focused on you always. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Haylie