A businessman’s office wall was covered with
award plaques and framed documents. On it was a diploma from Harvard Business
School, a “National Salesman of the Year” award, and a letter from the
President of the United States. A visitor was impressed by his honors and
asked, “How did you manage to accomplish so much in such a short time?” “It really
wasn’t that hard,” the man replied. “I have a sign-printing business.”
Hypocrisy is trying to impress others by
pretending to be something that we’re not. Jesus called the Pharisees
hypocrites because they performed their religious duties “to be seen” by men
(Matt. 6:1). “To be seen” in Greek is theathemai
which is where we get our word “theatre.” The actors on the Greek stage
performed in the theatre and craved for the applause of their audience.
The Pharisees were religious actors, playing
the role of a righteous person in the “theatre” of street corners, synagogues,
and the temple. They longed for applause of people rather than the applause
of God.
In the age of social media, seeking to be
popular and please people is a danger for us as well. The apostle Paul said,
“For am I seeking the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please
people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of
Christ” (Gal. 1:10).
Don’t sacrifice what you know to be true for
fear of what others think. Only one opinion matters. God’s. www.makinglifecount.net
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