👉🏼 (Reading: Luke 12:1-5)
📜 "… Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: 'Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy"
Luke 12:1 (NIV).
📋 Hypocrisy means acting as if you are what you are not. For example, it could involve acting outwardly as a godly and a faithful Christian, when in reality (in your private life or with a different crowd) you are hiding sin, immorality, lust or other ungodly attitudes and behaviours. A hypocrite is thus a deceiver when it comes to appearing "right". In today's focus verse, Jesus condemns the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, warning his disciples to be careful that this sinful trait does not enter their own lives and ministry: "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy." Since hypocrisy involves living a lie, it makes a person a partner or a co-woker with Satan, the father of lies. Jesus admonishes his disciples that all hypocrisy and hidden sin will be exposed. What is done secretly behind closed doors will be at some point openly revealed (vv. 2-3). This doesn't mean that confessed and forgiven sin will be brought against us. Rather, it means that what is hidden through hypocrisy will certainly be revealed. A lifestyle of hypocrisy is a sign that a person does not fear God with a holy reverence and respect for his character, power and judgement (v. 5). It also means that a person is resisting or doesn't have God's Holy Spirit within him her, transforming his or her life to be like Christ. Is your life straight in God's sight?
🔑 Key Lesson:Jesus detests hypocrisy.
🛐 Meditation and Prayer: Lord, help me to avoid hypocrisy.
📚 Further Reading: Matthew 23:13-15.
◼️ The Bible in One Year: Numbers 8-10.