by Cathy Vinson

Hypocrisy means wearing a mask. Before we quickly dismiss ourselves from donning the mask of hypocrisy so easily worn by others, we should look closely at the Lord's explanation of it (Lk 12:1-3). The same person we are smiling towards WILL one day hear loudly proclaimed what we have said about them in the dark. "Nothing will be convealed..." (vs 2) How devastating when people learn how we really felt about them! That alone should be a deterrent to our hypocrisy.

Then who should we vent to? Even here nothing is exempted. Listen..."What you have said in the dark WILL be heard in the daytime; and what you have whispered In the ear IN the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the housetop" (vs 3). Even the most intimate setting in our house is "bugged."

Shouldn't we have a confidante? at least one? If we were honest, we have abused such relationships. Knowing there is a listening ear can diffuse our burden to pray. It also puts the listener in the precarious position of hearing what only God should hear.

Hyposcrisy leavens. Our hypocrisy infects and can harm our listener (Prov 18:8, 26:22). The Ear who hears what we speak to another will broadcast it over the air waves some day.

May we walk in repentance regarding this. David wisely said, "I have resolved that my mouth will not sin. I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth" (Ps 39:1).

"Be on your guard against the yeast...which is hypocrisy "

(Luke 12:1 )