Message
In , the Bible tells us about a fig tree that failed to produce fruit for Jesus to eat when He was hungry. Usually, when figs are in season, fig trees give a sign by producing many leaves, signalling that there are fruits on them. The fig tree in this passage, however, had leaves but no fruit – it was a show of hypocrisy. It is also a show of hypocrisy when a minister leads prayer or worship in church and puts up an impressive physical performance but hardly prays or worships in private. A preacher once said that some believers pretend to be very strong in the Lord when they have just failed Him.
In , the Bible says that the hope of hypocrites will perish. Today’s memory verse also tells us that God doesn’t want hypocrites in His presence – this is a serious warning to believers. says that the congregation of hypocrites will be barren, and says that the joy of a hypocrite will not last because it is for a moment. One of the passages in the Bible that challenged me as a young Christian is the story of Ananias and Sapphira, which is today’s Bible reading. The couple sold a piece of land, kept a part of the money, lied to Peter about it, and this cost them their lives. I thought their punishment was harsh; the land and the money were theirs, after all. However, the issue was that Ananias and Sapphira attempted to deceive the church. God hates lies, and no liar will go to heaven (). As I studied the couple’s story, I discovered that God punished them because they were hypocrites.
Many believers fall into the trap of hypocrisy when they fail to give accurate reports of things that are entrusted into their care. Even some pastors are known to inflate their church’s attendance records, and when they are asked how the church is doing, they say, “Great”. I believe that a fellow is not doing great until the person doubles what the Lord has placed in his or her hand, as we see in the parable of the talents ().
Beloved, when you pretend to be who you are not just because you want to look good in the eyes of the people around you, you are only deceiving yourself. Rather, seek God’s face to help you to become who He wants you to be.