Will the Real You Please Stand Up?
By
Carolyn Hulliberger
“You
are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside…but on the
inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”
Matthew
23:27b-28 (NIV)
If four people who know
you from completely different areas of your life were asked to describe
YOU…would they describe the same person?
Don’t blow through the
question here. For instance, if the bank clerk, your employer, your neighbor,
and your best friend, were all asked to describe the person they know you to
be, would their descriptions be in line with each other?
Here’s another
question: If your mom, daughter, or minister were to read your text messages,
chat room exchanges, browsing history, and emails, would they line up with the
person you portray to them?
“Hypocrite” is a really
ugly word in our English language, full of negative connotation. Webster’s says
a hypocrite is “a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated
beliefs.” Synonyms include “pretender” and “deceiver.” Ouch! But the fact
is, if you or I claim to believe and act one way in church or at home, but an
aspect of our life contradicts those beliefs, we are fulfilling the definition
of…a hypocrite.
Jesus despises
hypocrisy. He showed kindness and compassion for those who were caught in sin,
while He rebuked the religious hypocrites of His day. He wants us to be
single-minded, with a faith that is genuine and that is lived out
in every arena of our lives and relationships. By no means is this an
easy task. Sometimes, living out faith in Christ is hardest with those closest
to us. Others struggle with the lure of secrecy and anonymity that the internet
can provide.
I like how The Message
puts how we should respond to the temptation of being “double-minded.”
Consider these words from James
4:7-10:
“So let God work His will in you. Yell a loud
‘no’ to the devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet ‘yes’ to God and He'll be
there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing
the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get
serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the
only way you'll get on your feet.”
GOING DEEPER:
1. Is there an
area of your life (work, friends, school, perhaps?) where Christ is not being
honored in how you act? Pray for strength to make changes in that
area.
2. If the
internet is a problem for you, consider a technology fast. Replace tech
time with prayer. Get an accountability partner to help encourage you.
FURTHER READING:
Along
with caring for her family, Carolyn works as an insurance representative,
serves in Oakwood Church’s Student Ministries with an awesome group of junior
high girls, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.
