Introductory Thoughts
The Bible depicts the hypocrite as someone who may work hard. Yet, their efforts are directed toward the wrong things. The Lord Jesus pointed out that the hypocrites would “compass sea and land to make one proselyte.” This conveys hard work. Think about the difference that Christians could make by labouring that hard to win “one” soul to the Lord! The hypocrite promotes unholy things contrary to the will of God. Believers need to take the right lesson away from studying the hypocrite. Each of us should be working hard to lead others to Christ and then to teach sound Bible doctrine. Yet, we should spend a lot less time finding fault in others. If we did, churches would be full of converts growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): When missionaries survey the land to which they are called to serve, they often find a number of false religions with no true church in existence. We need to pray for workers (Matthew 9:36-38), better yet, have a heart like Isaiah (Isaiah 6:8).
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(For everyone): In what areas of service for the Lord are you putting forth your greatest efforts? Are you witnessing to the lost? Are you seeking the Lord in prayer? Are you reading your Bible?
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Do you find yourself working hard to get the praise of men? Are you working tirelessly to find the faults in others while ignoring them in your own life?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask God to help you labour for right things.
- Ask God to show you when you are acting like a hypocrite.
Song
WHO IS ON THE LORD’S SIDE?
