Day 84
Deuteronomy 4:1-49; Luke 6:39‐7:10; Psalm 68:1‐18; Proverbs 11:28
The Blind Leading The Blind
Jesus confront us with an issue that scares many of us who are seriously religious – that of being hypocritical and leading others astray. Hypocrites intentionally don’t “walk their talk,” or, keeping with the illustration from Jesus’ parable, they advertise themselves to be one kind of tree while producing a different kind of fruit.
Until we transcend this body of flesh and the sin that so easily besets us (Hebrews 12:1), any of us will fail to act in total accordance with the Great Commandment to love God with everything we are and our neighbor as ourselves. Those times are moral failings but not the hypocrisy Jesus is addressing. Hypocrisy is focusing on someone else’s faults while intentionally failing to address flaws (sometimes more serious) in our own character. Today’s Proverb says: “A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.” A false witness who is also stating a belief in Christ is acting hypocritical. The danger is leading others astray and away from the Lord.
God, by the grace and power of your Holy Spirit, fill us with light and lead us to truth. Show us if there is any hypocrisy in our lives. Give us a hunger for your Word, both written and incarnate. Help us to finish our Lenten journey truly walking in Jesus’ steps so our lives reflect the very integrity of the Lord Himself. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Richard Bordin