April 25, 2012
Self-Deception Traps
Your Thinking
Transformational Thought
As a teenager, I was so ideal in many ways.
Trying to hold everyone to such an incredible and unattainable standard was my
MO. But for myself, I was such a poser. Espousing and pretending to have ideal
functioning, but underneath, the wheels were coming off. I would call those
that didn’t measure up, hypocrites. Yet me, the biggest hypocrite.
What is a hypocrite? According to Webster, a
hypocrite is a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion, a
person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings. In
other words, hypocrites pretend to be someone or something that they aren’t.
The definition doesn’t distinguish between an intentional or a subconscious
(unintentional) deception.
The Bible teaches that a hypocrite is one who
pretends to put God first in all things without really being pious … one who
talks the talk without walking the walk. Jesus confronted hypocrites vigorously
in His earthly ministry. These confrontations of truth pounding against their
self-deception fueled the Pharisee’s desire to kill Jesus.
A hypocrite knows what is right but makes
elaborate excuses for doing wrong, and rationalizes why his behavior is
allowable. He weaves a web of self-deception that eventually traps his thinking
and keeps him from seeing the truth. He makes himself king and writes his own
rules to declare and stamp his conduct as permissible. My kingdom come, my will
be done mentality, all the while proclaiming that Jesus is the Lord of his
life.
We all tend to condemn other people's wrong actions
and attitudes. At the same time, we are prone to excuse the same or worse
behaviors in ourselves. We put on a good front and try to hide our real
attitudes and feelings. We try to convince others … and even ourselves … that
we are OK. Fooling others usually isn’t too hard, at least in the beginning. We
might even delude ourselves for a while, at least on the surface. But God knows
our hearts. He is not impressed by our outward displays of "being
religious" or following the rules. He considers what we are inside ... our
motivations, desires, and fears.
Today, objectively examine whether you are
putting up a good front while you privately harbor sin in your life. Maybe the
sin is something you are doing … participating in pornography, an adulterous
relationship, angry outbursts, sharp words, over-eating, or some other wrong
behavior. Maybe it's hidden inside … fear, anxiety, insecurity, bitterness,
envy, lack of forgiveness. Remember that whatever it is … God already knows. He
loves you and wants to help you overcome. You can start on the path to ending
the sinful behavior by admitting your guilt to yourself … and to Him. WITHIN REACH can then help you
take the next steps of applying the Bible and allowing God into those deep
places in your heart and life and truly transform your heart. Being true or a
hypocrite, your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I know I've been living a lie. I
also know that You see the real me--You see my heart. Please forgive my sin and
give me the strength to overcome. Help me to be honest with You, with myself,
and with others. Open my eyes to the truth, and give me the courage to take one
stepping stone at a time to follow Your guidance. I pray this and all prayers
in the name of Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
He said to them, “You are
the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts.”
Luke 16:15
"You Pharisees are so careful to
clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy … full of
greed and wickedness!"
Luke 11:39
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