The Hypocrite Mask

Posted by Dion Todd April 20th, 2017 10,117 Views 0 Comments

He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9 WEB

God loves us, using the least of the least to do incredible things, and He has a completely different measuring stick than man does. He deliberately chooses the weak, the uneducated, the simple, the outcasts, and He makes the simple fisherman, into a miracle working apostle. This is demonstrated all through the Bible:

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They recognized that they had been with Jesus. Seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it" (Acts 4:13).

In that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, 'I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight (Luke 10:21).

For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble; but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world that he might put to shame the things that are strong. God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that don't exist, that he might bring to nothing the things that exist, that no flesh should boast before God (1Corinthians 1:26-29).

We love to be exalted and raised up, but unless we remain the humble, teachable servant that He originally called, we can limit His power in our life. Moses was the most humble man on earth, and also the most powerful (Numbers 12:3). The miracles that God did through him are amazing. The Lord tells us: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit' (Zechariah 4:6). Our strength should come from the Holy Spirit.

The tendency of an immature Christian, when they start going to church, is to put on a plastic church face that makes everyone think that they have it all together. It's a time honored tradition. We act like we are so holy, an honest-to-God walking Bible that would have made the apostles jealous when they began discussing which of them was the greatest. But in reality, we are like white-washed tombs, pretty on the outside, but having an inside full of all types of uncleanness.

It usually takes years to remove that fake outer shell, and some never do. But God will not use you as long as you wear the hypocrite mask. Yes, religion will try to make you into a hypocrite, an actor, but God looks on the heart, and we can't fool Him. We can be squeaky clean and sharp dressed on the outside, but He sees our true colors shining through.

So what does all this mean? If you want to be used by God, be real. Drop the pretending. We are not perfect, He is. Your weakness makes you a candidate for His power, and people are drawn to the real thing. Concentrate less on the do and don'ts, and more on the who He is and what He is like. Pray like He is a friend beside you, and not a distant God in outer space that doesn't even know your name, for He knows how many hairs are left on your head (Luke 12:7).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for allowing me to know You at all. Please set me free from fake religion and let me know You better. Help me remove every fake coverup in my life and to uncover the real me, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

Note: Good morning! Don''t forget that if you need prayer, we are here for you! At RHM, we have a prayer network that we and our prayer team check each day to lift up the needs of this ministry family. All prayer requests are private. To post a prayer, just click on the Prayer link on the site menu (you do need to be signed in)!