Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Thursday November 4, 2010

Years ago I read a statement made by Abraham Lincoln to a heckler who had called Mr. Lincoln "two faced." Lincoln pointed to his face and said, "Do you really think if I had two faces I would be wearing this one." I then very quickly made a near unforgiveable speaker's error in failing to even ask let alone define the group that I was speaking to and thus literally was booed upon telling a favorable story about Mr. Lincoln. I still think the story is funny and on point. The point being that;

"Even if your best face is ugly it is still best to put it forward rather than pretend."

I have learned at great personal expense over long years to attempt to prayerfully discern when I am talking with someone, which "face" I am speaking to and hearing from.

Most people know and use the term "hypocrite" and it is seldom used as a compliment. It has its origin in Greek Theatre and it was a device, a mask to hide the true self by covering the face with a mask portraying the opposite of the true feelings. Jesus used the term in Matthew 7:5:

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

He is clearly referring to those who judge others while hiding behind the false face of righteousness.

One time Joe's girl was accused of being two faced and though not a paragon of virtue she replied, "If you’re going to be two faced at least make one of them pretty." Joe's girl was Norma Jean Baker better known as Marilyn Monroe, and she was on target as most two faced folks lead with the "pretty" one.

Most serious councelors spend a good deal of time leading the counselee into a process of gently peeling away the mask, the false face, as it is not until the true self is revealed that any healing can be accomplished. Showing people what they are is usually a waste as they already know what they are and as a result have carefully constructed a mask, which they often begin to believe is the real them. Christ does not deal with the false you, but loves and cares for the real you and will make His power work in the real you. When He is finished you will be better than a hypocrite. And you will be at peace.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2010 Use with credit

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