July 12 | Matthew 23:8-28

Elaine Pierce
Jul 12
2 min read

DAILY READING

Matthew 23:8-28

REFLECTION

Overcoming Hypocrisy

By Elaine Pierce

In Michael Hallsworth's well-regarded book, The Hypocrisy Trap, he breaks hypocrisy into four categories:

* Inconsistency (failing to practice what you preach),

* Pretence (faking beliefs you don't hold),

*Blame (condemning others for actions you do), and

* Complacency (talking about values without taking action)

This book's subtitle is interesting: how changing what we criticize can change our lives. Who doesn't want a hypocrisy-free life! Thousands of years before behaviorial scientists like Dr. Hallsworth wrote books like this, Jesus recognized our tendency to judge others:

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. (v. 14).

The next three verses continue the "woe to you" theme. Yes, all of us fail to practice what we preach. All of us have sinful hearts, and all of us, to some degree or other, are selfish and greedy.

[As I type this, my husband and I are taking care of 3 of our grandchildren while their parents work. If you want to see hypocrisy and greed up close, just watch children fighting over who gets the first gumball out of the gumball machine..... we adults mask our selfish desires, but on the inside, we all want to be first in line, don't we.]

What is Jesus's answer to this mess of sin and hypocrisy in our lives? Let's look closely at verses 11-13:

The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

It sounds simple, but it is deep and profound, and we can't live like a humble servant without the indwelling of the holy spirit - day by day, hour by hour. The greatest among us was reviled, scorned, and put to death on the cross. But he didn't stay in the grave, he

rose again, and he will come again.

Self help books can give us helpful strategies, but in the end, pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps.....trying hard....will fail. Only with God's help can we be truly free. Thank God for that.

PRAYER

Lord, I want to be hypocrisy free, and these verses remind me that it is only possible through you. Help me today and every day to follow you in spirit and in truth. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELAINE PIERCE

It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!