HIDDEN BY MASKS

Early in the history of Greek drama, the theaters had no scenery, and the actors wore no costumes. When they performed, the actors would carry a mask on stage, and when it was time for their part, they would hold the mask in front of their faces and speak.

The word “hypocrisy” came from Greek drama and refers to ‘one who is expressing feelings, beliefs and values that belong to someone else.” In Scripture the hypocrite is a pretender: one who is acting a part, one who is false, tells lies or is godless. They are with us today – speaking, acting and expressing words they do not believe – and behaving differently from who they really are. Times have changed but hypocrites have not.

Jesus despised hypocrites with a passion. He spoke of the hypocrites who loved to pray publicly so others could see them and think that they were living a religious life. On another occasion, He told the hypocrites to get the log out of their own eyes and stop criticizing others for having a speck in theirs. He also spoke of the Pharisees and advised people to beware of their self-righteous, hypocritical, and spiritless behavior.

John wrote, “If someone says ‘I belong to God’ but does not obey His commands he is a liar.” If what we do or say is not consistent with what God requires of us, we must ask God for forgiveness, repent, and change. There is no room for hypocrites in the Kingdom of God.

Prayer: Forgive us, Father, when we have disobeyed Your commands and professed what we did not possess. May our lives be as honest as was Your Son’s life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:       If someone says ‘I belong to God’ but does not obey His commands he is a liar. 1 John 2:4