Exposing the Lies

Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Luke 12:1

Hypocrisy is pretending. How good the Pharisees had become at pretending what was seen on the outside was realistic of what was present on the inside. Jesus knew better. He not only confronted them but warned others against taking on the same heart attitudes. I have to ask myself this morning what the pay off was for them to play the pretend game. Not only with others, but with themselves and even God. If something is not real what good would the pretending do?

People fall into this trap all the time. Some will pretend to be better off financially than they are. Some will pretend to be happier than they are. Some will pretend to be more confident than they are. Some will pretend to be more problem free than they are. Some will pretend to be friendlier than they are. For some reason, believing and purporting the lies they are living gives them a sense of security and accomplishment. But God knows real freedom does not come until the lies are exposed and honesty becomes that person’s lifestyle.

Hypocrisy blocks a lot of things. It blocks others from really getting to know you. It blocks God from being able to transform you. It blocks you from being able to be the person God intended for you to be. The Christian life must not be lived out of grit, determination, behavior modification, pretend, or outward appearances. It is a relationship of the heart with God. He wants to go deeper than the surface with us. He wants to help us see what is really going on inside our being. When all the facade is set aside and we are left with the truth of our own condition, that is when God can begin to change us from the inside.

It has helped me to realize one very important aspect of God’s working. When He targets a specific area in my life it is not to condemn or shame me. He is simply revealing what it is He wants to change in me. I have learned to grow comfortable during His process of examination. I have had my fill of living with my own hypocrisy. I take Jesus’ warning to heart and once again come to God with honesty and a desire for His touch on my life.

Father, make me comfortable enough with You to be honest. You know the truth already. Let me see what You see when You look past the outward appearance. Amen.