Devotionals

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Hypocrisy In Full View

Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

--Matthew 7:5 (NLT)


Gail, a college sophomore, decided to enter the Miss Indiana scholarship pageant with the support of her sorority sisters. Joanna Sweat emerged as Gail’s most ardent supporter. Joanna went into the Bloomington, Indiana business community raising funds, costumes and prizes in support of Gail’s efforts.

Gail and Joanna were in many of the same classes, ate their meals at the same table and even went to church together on Sundays. When Joanna was with Gail, she praised her in every way. However, many times when Gail was not in her presence, Joanna would be critical of her. She would often criticize Gail’s intelligence, her beauty and many of her mannerisms. Before long, Gail became aware of Joanna’s observations of her from others. Though aware of a person who she thought a friend, she said nothing for now.

Gail said nothing as she noticed some of the same nasty habits in herself that she almost sat down with Joanna to point out. She realized that she was kind to some people to their faces like Joanna. Yet there were times she would be ashamed if they were aware of the not-so-complimentary things she thought or said behind their backs.

Gail recalled what her mother and father had said to her, “If you are unable to speak well about someone, the refrain from saying anything at all”. She felt her parents were correct.


Prayer: Almighty Father, keep us (me) from hypocrisy—a sin You despise so much. Amen.


Stephen A. Peterson
© 2012

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