Tag Archives: Hypocrisy

Caught between Flesh and Spirit

Living in the Spirit

May 28, 2021

Scripture Reading:

Romans 8:12-17
So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

We live in an age of paradox. Many seem to have no control over “the flesh”—anything of the world. I do not want to read another story or hear another news report about people of power—politicians or the wealthy or celebrities or clergy who are caught in adultery or some sexual deviance, even sex trafficking of children. Some of those same people want to control every aspect of the lives of others on issues they may have created by locking people into poverty, limiting their educational opportunities, and ignoring their health care. Jesus called them hypocrites.

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practise what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. . . . ‘But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cross sea and land to make a single convert, and you make the new convert twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. (Matthew 23:1-4, 13-15)

Those caught in the middle between self-righteousness and injustice are called to address such hypocrisy or become a part of the problem.

Prayer: Lord, make us doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves*. Amen.

*From James 1:22

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Hypocrisy

Eastertide

May 19, 2020

Scripture Reading: Acts 1:1-11

So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’ –Acts 1:6-11

We are called to be Christ’s witnesses. This is done in many ways. Serving as a living example of the love of Christ is the best way by far. How we live and love one another from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth has a significant impact for better or for worse. It all starts with self-examination when we attempt to see our lives through the eyes of God—what Amos described as a plumb line and to see the Christ in each person.

I strongly think that I do not have the right ultimately to judge another. Jesus drew that assignment. I am concerned that wrong actions in the name of God are speaking louder than our pious word.

75% of polled American adults identifying themselves as Christian in 2015. This is down from 85% in 1990, lower than 81.6% in 2001, and slightly lower than 78% in 2012. About 62% of those polled claim to be members of a church congregation.*

I find it ironic that about 90%** of the populations of countries like El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras identify as Christian. Many of these Central American refugees are the people we turn away at our southern border while not offering adequate help to their countries to overcome the oppression that causes them to leave their homes.

Prayer: God of Justice, forgive us for our hypocrisy in serving you well. Amen.

The Card printed above can be found at https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/examen-prayer-card/

*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_the_United_States

**https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/04/08/christianity-is-growing-rapidly-in-el-salvador-along-with-gang-violence-and-murder-rates/

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Ravenous Wolves

Living in the Spirit
November 4, 2017

Scripture Reading: Matthew 23:1-12

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have people call them rabbi. –Matthew 23:1-7

Rarely does anyone speak the words “do what I say not what I do, ” but there are sure a lot of people practicing this philosophy. From politicians to church leaders, people speak righteously, perhaps more self-righteously, while conjuring deals in the dark that play to their power and personal interest. Like the first century scribes and Pharisees, they rant about causes that have limited if any impact on most people but do draw out strong emotional reactions and fears while missing the mark on major issues that affect millions of people with life or death consequences. How are we harmed by NFL players taking a knee at their games in protest of racism? How many people do you think will suffer from lack of healthcare when we implement proposed major cuts in Medicaid and Medicare? Such cuts do not just impact the recipients of these services. Many rural hospitals will close as a result of these cuts.

Jesus would have none of that idea in the first century or now. He held the power brokers of the day accountable for their hypocrisy. We seem to admire people who can manipulate us to their benefit. Why is that? What is so beguiling about exploiters often when we are the exploited? Are we envious of their guile?

Jesus said in Matthew 7:15, Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. We would do well to follow that advice.

Prayer: Lord, enable us as doers of your justice for all your children. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Recovery After Repentance

EmilysQuotes_Com-mistake-choice-Steven-Denn-decisionEpiphany
January 19, 2016

Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 8:1-10

And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’ –Nehemiah 8:9-10

Recovery after repentance, how does that work? Apparently it starts with fully putting our trust in God. Who would have thought? All our sack cloth and ashes, gnashing of teeth, and tears do not work. We may feel a need to do something symbolic to meet our own needs. With God repenting (turning around), grasping forgiveness, and taking the first steps on the right path is all God requires. The import act is trusting in God. I think it is really, really hard for we westerners to relinquish control in any situation to any entity. Perhaps it is just me, I am pretty stubborn. The paradox is that when we finally relinquish control to God, we get our lives back to pursue our purposes that God relishes and has woven into the fiber of God’s kingdom.

This stream runs throughout the Bible. Nathan confronts David of his sin, David repents and returns to his purpose, the prodigal son sees the error of his ways and returns home to the welcoming arms of his father. And in our scripture today the children of Israel, repent and celebrate not only their return to their land but their return to God.

The church needs to be very careful that it does not move away from God, define itself as righteousness, and visit its hypocrisy on others. I think Jesus meant it when he said, I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. John 5:15

Prayer: Lord, nourish us and help us grow in your spirit and your truth that we show forth everyday as we live it in our lives. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.