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Beware Of Leaven
"Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy." [Luke 12:1]
hypocrite: one who pretends to be better than he is, or to be pious, virtuous, etc. without really being so (Webster)
Introduction
In this study we will look at what the Bible says about hypocrisy that we might learn to avoid this sin in our own lives. From the various charges Jesus made against the Pharisees in Matthew 23, hypocrisy appears to be a sin that can easily affect those in leadership. It is a very common sin to all of us and judging from the Lord's treatment of it in the Gospels, it is a sin that He hates with a passion.
As the Lord Jesus says in Luke 12:1 we are to "beware of" hypocrisy - to be on guard against, to take note of it, to be on the lookout for it in our lives because it certainly is all around us and in us.
Looking at Luke 12:1 in context
This passage doesn't tell us as much about what hypocrisy is as it tells about what hypocrites often do.
Luke 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.
Luke 11:53 And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:
Luke 11:54 Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.
Luke 12:1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
Luke 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
Luke 12:3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
Luke 12:4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
Luke 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
We see a pattern here:
- Jesus confronts the hypocrites with their sin (Luke 11:52).
- The hypocrites begin to try to get Jesus to speak of many things so they can falsely accuse him of something... They want to use His words against Him (Luke 11:53-54). They are on the defense, trying to justify their sin by making others look bad or worse than themselves.
- Jesus then warns his disciples - first of all - to beware of hypocrisy (Luke 12:1). The lesson to be learned here: If our local church doesn't have its act together, there is no sense in going out and teaching others.
- Jesus then gives a reason for His original warning to the hypocrites (Luke 12:2-3) with a reference to the fact that God sees everything
(Prov 15:3) and will hold man accountable for all his sins. (Matt 12:36).
- Man's sins will have to be paid for in full either by Christ or by the individual (Luke 12:4-5). There is no way of escape from judgment, outside of Christ.
- What does this pattern represent? --- A Gospel presentation.
Notable examples of hypocrisy
Old Testament Example:
2Sam 12:1 "And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. 2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: 3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. 4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. 5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: 6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. 7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul"
David overlooked his own sin and in his self-righteousness was ready to kill someone who committed a similar sin.
New Testament Example:
Luke 18:10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
The Pharisee did not realize that he was as bad or worse than other men in the eyes of God. In fact, his pride was a terrible sin in and of itself. He was evidently far more prideful than the man he was condemning, while he envisioned himself to be a very righteous man.
What do hypocrites do? Looking at 2 Corinthians 10:12
2Cor 10:12 "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
- They commend them selves when they should perhaps be condemning themselves...
John 3:18: He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Rom 7:18: For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Rom 12:3: For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Php 2:3: Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
1Cor 1:27: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
- They measure themselves by themselves - instead of by God's measuring rod, the Bible...
Psa 19:7-8: The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Rom 3:4: God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
- They compare themselves with others who are among their lot, thinking that their group is above other groups...
Luke 18:10-14: (see quote above under New Testament examples of hypocrisy)
- They are not wise, because if they were wise, they would know God's standard and they would know that they fall far short of it...
Rom 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Prov 12:15: The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
Prov 26:12: Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Prov 28:26: He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
What do hypocrites do? Looking at Romans 10:3
Rom 10:3 "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."
- They are ignorant of God's righteousness.
Hab 1:13: Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?
- They go about, sometimes very aggressively, establishing their own standards of what is acceptable behavior for others.
- They themselves do not submit themselves to the righteousness of God.
1Sam 15:23: For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
What do hypocrites do? Looking at Matthew 7:3
Mat 7:3 "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."
- They think they see something wrong with others when in fact, they themselves are quite spiritually ill.
Matt 9:10-13: And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Mark 2:16-17: And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? 17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Luke 5:29-32: And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. 30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? 31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. 32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Luke 16:13-15: No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. 15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
John 9:39-41: And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? 41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
What do hypocrites do? Looking at Matthew 23:3
Matthew 23:3 "All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers."
- They tell people to do things that they are unwilling to do and to behave in a way that they should but do not.
Matt 15:2-9: Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Psa 50:16-20: But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? 17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. 18 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. 19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. 20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.
What do hypocrites do? Looking at Matthew 23:14
Mat 23:14 "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence <4392> make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation."
- They pretend to be holy by doing things (often religious things) that most people would judge to be holy from outward appearances
Mark 12:40: Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
Luke 20:47: Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.
Acts 27:30: And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,
1 Thes 2:5: For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
- They are masking who they really are by pretending to be someone who they know they are not.
John 15:22: If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
What do hypocrites do? Looking at Matthew 23:15
Mat 23:15 "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves."
- They fervently seek to make others like themselves to justify their behavior. This is a very unhealthy and infectious attitude for anyone to have, especially in the local church.
1Cor 5:1-8: It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 ¶ Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
What do hypocrites do? Looking at Matthew 23:24
Mat 23:24 "Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel."
- They pick on the minor failings of others and ignore more serious faults of their own.
John 7:24: Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
What do hypocrites do? Looking at Matthew 23:25-28
Mat 23:25 "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of
ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of
hypocrisy and iniquity and iniquity."
- They look at the outside of others instead of the inside of themselves.
Matt 24:1-2: And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. 2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
1 Sam 16:7: But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
2 Cor 10:7: Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
Matt 12:34: O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
What motivates hypocrites? Looking at Matthew 6:1
Mat 6:1 "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the
hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets,
that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. 5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the
hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets,
that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."
- They love to be seen of men and to make a big show of their self-righteousness.
- They want to be recognized for "their" achievements.
1Cor 4:7: For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
What motivates hypocrites? Looking at John 12:42-43
John 12:42 "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 For
they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God."
- They love the praise of men more than the praise of God.
1 Cor 1:31: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
2 Cor 10:17: But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Matt 6:4: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Matt 6:6: But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Matt 6:18: That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
What do hypocrites reap? What do hypocrites reap?
Looking at Job 15:24
Job 15:34 "For the congregation of the congregation of the congregation of
hypocrites shall be desolate shall be desolate
hypocrites shall be desolate shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery. 35 They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit."
- Their congregation becomes desolate - they end up isolating themselves from others and they can even create enough disharmony in a church to split up the church.
Acts 20:30: Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
1John 2:19: They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
- Those who isolate themselves from others do not have the God-ordained forum in which to use their spiritual gifts, so they can easily end up conceiving mischief which is what happens when we are not busy about the Lord's work, among His people, redeeming the time.
Eph 5:15: See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
- They end up deceived, thinking that their isolation is the fault of others.
2Tim 3:13: But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
What do hypocrites reap? What do hypocrites reap?
Looking at Mark 7:6
Mark 7:6 "He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me."
- They try to appear righteous to others by what the words they use.
Matt 6:5&7: And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
- They end up thinking they are saved, that they are right with God, when in fact, they are far from him.
Matt 15:8: This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
What is the danger of not confronting hypocrisy?
Gal 5:9 "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." (see also verses 10 through 15 and also 16 through 26)
1 Cor 5:6 "Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?" (see also verses 7 through 11, especially 11:
1 Corinthians 5:11 "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer <3060>, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."
1 Corinthians 6:10 "Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers <3060>, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."
3060 loidoros {loy'-dor-os} from loidos (mischief); TDNT - 4:293,538; n m
AV - railer 1, reviler 1; 2
What is a railer or a reviler?
We can get some insight into this question by looking at verses containing a closely related word:
1 Timothy 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully <3059>.
1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing <3059> for railing <3059>: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
3059 loidoria {loy-dor-ee'-ah} from 3060; TDNT - 4:293,538; n f
AV - railing 2, to speak reproachfully + 5484 1; 3
What were the Corinthians glorying in? Their sin? Which sin? Their tolerance of ungodly behavior, looking upon themselves
What should individuals and the local church do to avoid hypocrisy?
As with all sin, and hypocrisy is sin, we must turn from our sin and turn towards God to avoid committing the same sins over and over again. We must hide God's word in our hearts so that we would not sin against Him (Psa 119:11). There are many scriptures that we can study and apply to avoid hypocrisy in our lives. Here are just a few of them...
1Cor 5:6 "Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Rom 12:3 "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."
Php 2:3 "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."
1Pet 5:5 "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."
Gal 6:1 "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself."
Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another."
Prov 16:18 "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 16:19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud."
Mic 6:8 "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
1Cor 4:7 "For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?"
Eph 5:15 "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is."
A simple test to see if I am a hypocrite
- Do I worry more about the sins of others than about my own sins?
- Do I get defensive when others point out sins I should be dealing with when I should be thanking them for being concerned about my spiritual welfare and asking them to pray for me and to hold me accountable for bad behavior?
- Do I look down on others who gossip - in person, on the phone or via e-mail - and yet I do the same thing?
- Do I criticize others for being a bad example when I should be encouraging them unto good works by being a godly example myself?
- Do I expect more of others than I do of myself?
- Do I expect other's to "improve" faster than I am willing to change?
- Am I intolerant of other's weaknesses while expecting sympathy and tolerance for my own?
- Do I waste time in front of the computer (or with some other hobby or preoccupation) while my spouse is left alone somewhere else in the house and then yell at him or her for ignoring me or for being cold towards me?
- Do I waste time in front of the TV set or read unprofitable materials when I could be sharing the Gospel or studying the Bible instead of defiling my mind with things of this corrupt world - and then I go around calling everyone else worldly?
- Do I take offense at people's language and then I myself take the Lord's name in vain either blatantly or in a veiled way - a "Christian" way - using minced oaths like ... Oh my gosh! Darn it! Gee wiz! My goodness! My word! which are all just "nice" ways of taking the Lord's name in vain. You should certainly know what some of these expressions are a substitute for. And as for the others, ask your self who is Your "Goodness", and who is Your "Word", if not Christ?
- Have I relinquished my responsibility to educate my children by sending them off to school somewhere, where I cannot possibly supervise what is being put into their heads and then do I browbeat my children for picking up bad habits and wrong ideas?
- Have I abdicated my role as head of the house by not taking a strong and consistent stand regarding what is a right and proper way for my family to live and then I get upset when they all want to do things their way?
- Have I been inconsistent or negligent in scripturally discipling my children and then do I get all bent out of shape when they don't listen to me until I yell at them for the tenth time?
- Do I constantly find fault with others and then complain that no one is friendly? Maybe I ask, "who would want me for a friend if that is all I do?"
- Do I raise my voice and threaten to go home when things don't go my way, and then complain that the problem is with "the other guy"?
- Do I covet my neighbor's goods by shopping for things I can easily do without and then complain about how materialistic the world has become?
- Do I complain about how bad a shape the Church is in today and then I make up excuses for being selfish with my time, my money, my talents?
- Do I make a fuss about how many false gospels are being preached today and yet I rarely get out of my own comfort zone to share the true Gospel with a lost and dying world?
- Do I profess to study the Bible so that I may be a better servant of the Lord, but in reality I use most of my Bible knowledge to find fault in others?
- Do I complain about little aches, pains and trials, when perhaps I should be visiting those (especially of the household of faith) who cannot even feed, clothe or bathe themselves?
- Do I sit in my easy chair all night and then complain about how my children never do their chores?
- Do I vehemently accuse politicians of being corrupt and immoral while my own eyes frequently wander and my own thoughts often dwell on unclean things?
- Do I claim to be thankful to God for all He has done for me and yet I talk and act as if God has given me the short end of the stick?
- Do I claim to believe that God is the source of my strength and my portion forever, and then I live as if this world is all there is and as if God is nowhere to be found?
"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." [James 3:17]
Ray Kane
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