God’s Order for a Wife (Part II)

God’s Order for a Wife II

1 PETER 3:1-6

SUBJECT: SUBMISSION APPLIED TO MARRIAGE

THEME: each believing wife is to submit to her own husband in God’s order for marriage as a matter of trusting God.

RELEVANCE: though much of marriage is thrilling, our experiences can become unfair and sometimes painful; those who are the most intimate can hurt us deeply. Undoubtedly this is the case in marriage. To further complicate matters, many Christian couples are oblivious of what God calls them to deeming ‘God way’ as outdated. Regardless as children of God we are expected to accept God’s order and conduct ourselves accordingly even in poor circumstances. The obligation to trust God and embrace a better future are thus directed and reinforced in marriage.

INTRODUCTION:

The following counsel is given to wives in less-than-ideal conditions with their husbands and the appropriate emphasis is on authenticity and real substance. The solution for these disadvantaged wives was not taking over becoming more masculine, leaving because the relationship did not fulfill her, manipulating to secure her own way, or nagging to obtain her own desires. She is not a faithless woman scheming her husband to control the circumstances to obtain her will. 

MESSAGE:

I.               Acknowledge God’s Order as a Wife

The Situation of the Christian Wife with a Lost or Wayward Husband. The husband does not walk with the Lord, “if any obey not the word”. This could also be the Christian wife with a husband who is not sold out for God and on board with God’s plan—He is not leading the family in God’s particulars. It is not his practice to obey the word of the Lord…he may even be ignorant of God’s expectations. He may be self-centered and even jealous of her, questioning her loyalty and trustworthiness…emotionally distant and skeptical, frequently ignoring her, disregarding her feelings by continually criticizing her at least until bedtime, or even taking her for granted as optionless. He is disobedient to the word of the Lord…in such cases God wants us believers to acknowledge His order.

A.    The Case of a Disobedient Husband

                                                    i.     Focus on a Chaste Lifestyle—Be a Women of Purity.

1.     1 Pet 3:1-2, Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; (2) While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

2.     Guidance for Such Cases. This is how a believing wife can win her wayward or lost husband to Christ or obedience.  The counsel is the chaste lifestyle of the wife can win the lost husband to Christ and that the wayward husband can be won to an obedient life to his Lord. Wives God will use your authentic testimony as one of His most powerful weapons to convert your husband. This will require your sincerity and faith!

3.     Be a Wife of Purity. “Chaste Conversation” vs 2, means pure from all faults; to be clean and holy and free from all defilement; to act and behave in the most pure and modest way possible.

a.      Chaste refers first to inward purity in nature. It impacts a person’s conduct/behavior (1 Pet. 3:2).

                                                                                                                i.     The word chaste when applied to sexuality refers to innocence or sexual purity, in desire, imagination, and action (2 Cor. 11:2; Tit. 2:5).

                                                                                                              ii.     When a woman marries a man, she is setting herself apart exclusively for him and him alone. She is truly special because she gives herself exclusively to her husband. This is a non-negotiable standard with her. But sexual promiscuity and infidelity are so prevalent due to feminism; unfortunately, it is normal anymore for ‘girls’ to have high body counts by time they turn 30 years old! However, God still calls his people to purity and chastity in this matter. A wife is to submit only to her own husband.   

b.     Chastity is also a virtuous quality we must teach to our children, boys and girls alike—they are to remain pure until they have married and then remain pure in the holiness of matrimony. God has never approved of adultery, fornication, and premarital sex! God would have us control the flesh before marriage because this allows His Spirit to control us, reinforces self-restraint in marriage, and assure all parties of fidelity and moral restraint.

c.      Heb 13:4, Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.  (Prov. 5:1-23)

d.     As a believer, starting a chaste lifestyle is the correct personal standard even when you are no longer a virgin…even after a child and now living in perpetual singleness, until marriage, or until remarriage. You will have some personal and relational challenges, but you can establish celibacy until marriage as normal for you. ‘Worldly people’ will sleep around and live in the gutter trying to manipulate a person’s decisions using their body, but God calls His people to live for His glory and not carnal gratification. Still live for God who is greater than anything else! A person of the ‘world’ will not accept your principles; there is no need to attempt to convince them.   

e.      Body count does matter to God and anyone seeking a real wife. A quality to ask about in any possible bride or groom is purity.

                                                  ii.     Focus on a Real Lifestyle—Be a Woman of Authenticity. “...they behold your chaste conversation” vs 2, This word ‘behold’ indicates that the husband will give keen and careful observation, not a casual glance. 

1.     Her husband will take notice of her spirit, attitude, demeanor, words, gestures, and even the way she carries herself. God will use the wife’s submissive and chaste (pure) lifestyle to soften the husband’s heart, that he can be won to Christ. Her pure heart of authenticity preaches a continuous but silent sermon! It is not her complaining, nagging, or criticizing that will win her husband to God’s will, but her authenticity! If your ‘go to’ is playing ‘the victim’ or ‘turning on the waterworks’ type manipulation, then you may be guilty of blame-shifting, gaslighting, and outright lying to gain control!

2.     Her chaste lifestyle is anchored in her reverence for God (vs2 “coupled with fear”). She lives in reverence of God’s all-knowing ability, power, justice and judgement. Her trust and accountability with Christ are transparently actual!

a.      She is NOT a mere pretender or fake! Yes, she can admit when she is wrong! She does not engage in shifting blame on others, she does not shun responsibility for her miscalculations, she avoids gossip and other fault-finding manipulative tactics, and she has too much respect for God to live a lie! We must trust God’s control and not our own! This reverence—respect—deference to God is what make her freely submit and such a chaste lifestyle could win her husband over to Christ.

b.     She knows she is not perfect and willingly own up to her failures, faults, mistakes, and sin. Because she is growing, she is the kind of person who will earn your trust (Proverbs 31:11; John 10:37), not merely expect it! Trust is foundational to marriage so she fully acknowledges when trust has been broken and must be rebuilt through repentance and trustworthiness. She does not require blind, unconditional acceptance.

3.     Wisdom prescribes caution and setting boundaries when a spouse is untrustworthy, while ultimately directing us to trust God for healing and strength.

a.      Such authenticity and trust are correctly rooted in God: When confidence in a spouse fails, trust should continue in God’s faithfulness (Psalm 9:10) to sustain the individual and restore the marriage. Trust is the foundation of a healthy, covenantal marriage, enabling security and corporation (Proverbs 31:11, Hebrews 13:4).

b.     Ultimately, take a balanced approach: foster a deeply trusting, faithful relationship while acknowledging that when trust is broken, it must be earned back, not demanded.

c.      Luke 22:42, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

                                                iii.     Focus on a Selfless Lifestyle—Be a Woman of Unselfishness.

1.     Only when we have learned the discipline of ‘submission’ can we come to the place where a selfish spirit no longer controls us. Only submission can free us to distinguish between genuine issues and stubborn self-will. Most things in life are not major issues. If we could see this and accept it, we could hold those things lightly. Often the best way to handle these issues is to say nothing and let enough time pass so that the proper perspective is gained.

2.     William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, was once brought to an international meeting when he was very old and infirm. Though too weak to give an address, a microphone was brought to him, and he said one word several times as his final message to the huge, international organization that the Salvation Army had by then become. What was that word? We would expect it to be a terribly important word, given the situation. The word? “Others. Others. Others.”

3.     We find submission easiest when we begin to trust God implicitly and truly value other people. Marriage is not primarily about the individuals; it has always been about the Lord Jesus (Eph. 5:22-28) for us believers. When we truly place importance on the Lord, other people created in the image of God, those for whom Christ died, we’ll submit. When we comprehend that God will use us to touch others, then we find submission easier to live out. Stay focused on the eternal goal of glorifying the Lord even during the tough times. You will grow far beyond the limitations of yourself.

4.     Live as Unto the Lord on Purpose! Wives, Regardless of What Your Husband Does, Decide Now to Live for God! Let your primary motivation in your relationship with your husband be that of pleasing the Lord and not what you hope to see develop in the relationship. Seek to obey God and honor Him regardless of how your husband responds to you and your desire to live for the Lord. Still labor to bear an awesome testimony before your spouse, don’t get frustrated and quit but continue to trust the Lord. Take his advice seriously! It is never a vain effort to live for Jesus Christ even if things don’t turn out the way you desire. This life may last 80 years, but eternity is forever!

                                                iv.     Comprehensive purity, real authenticity, and selflessness! These are the primary character concerns of a wife accepting God’s Order for marriage!

B.    The Traits You Must Avoid as a Wife!

                                                    i.     1 Peter 3:3, Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

                                                  ii.     Superficial: God tells wives that their beauty should not come from outward adornments, but rather from inner character, which is precious to God. We must emphasize inner beauty and godly character over superficial appearances (Prov. 31:30-31; 1 Tim. 2:9-10), encouraging wives to focus on cultivating a gentle and submissive character. God truly values what is happening in the inner being, not merely what is on the surface. These ideas pertain to those who are or want to be wives, not to every woman or female…but wives in particular.

                                                iii.     Vain: we must return to valuing godly character instead of appearance! When a women is asked “what she have to offer” or “what she brings to the table” …if she first points to her physical attractiveness then you can be sure she is far more superficial than spiritual!

1.     A wife should naturally be attractive to her husband, and this is healthy and normal; it is a desirable trait in a woman. Without any special ‘helps’ a wife should be viewed as attractive to her husband. However, we seem to only emphasize outer beauty anymore and inward gorgeousness is almost never talked about. I guess it is easier to change our appearance rather than change our character! Beside that you can’t market inner qualities, there is no sale value…there is no money to be made in ‘character’ growth or change! Anyway, the average girl thinks she must have an hourglass figure, long eyelashes, nail extensions, nail polish or art, a BBL, plump lips, bonnet, hair extensions or several wigs, make-up, fake eyebrows, and a body shaper girdle to be physically attractive. All the emphasis is placed on the external appearance with hardly any focus on the inner character. Perhaps it is because many ‘ladies’ don’t know what a real ‘wife’ should be like inside deep within.

2.     On the other hand, descriptions like drama queen, selfish, ugly duckling, too emotional/sensitive, overweight, wasteful spend thrift, temperamental or moody, untalented, homely or plain, and unattractive come to mind revealing substantial inner and outer complications. Unfortunately, many women attempt to hide, deny, or mask these undesirable traits instead of trusting God to eliminate, transform, or improve these areas! They would rather manipulate rather than be real or trust God for real change.

                                                iv.     Materialistic: High fashion with luxurious branding, extravagant jewelry, and exorbitant prices, seems to be fashionable and ‘common sense’ seems outdated and impractical! The fact is the average man cannot afford this spoiled little princess’s lifestyle!

1.     I am afraid we have allowed materialism to supplant bible mandates! In the fray femineity has been lost, the nurturing softness of female maturity is gone, and the receptive intelligent smoothness of womanhood has disappeared. Compassion, empathy, supportiveness, intuition, sensitivity, gentleness, vulnerability, connection, creativity, and cooperation have vanished into a business tilting feministic self-centered mindset.

2.     Women today are more like bad men: hard-strong-stubborn, overly masculine, aggressively rough, assertive, logical-analytical, independent, goal-oriented-calculating, uncompromising, and competitive. These women do not make good wives!

3.     Wives have forgotten they are the means to shaping the next generation of children for the Lord. The character of the wife must be correct for her to fulfill one of her primary roles as a mother. The next generation’s potential lies in their fathers’ leadership and their mothers’ ability to follow. If all we do is raise children to be good citizens who pay their bills and taxes, we have failed miserably because we adopted a worldly standard. The goal is to raise children who serve Christ with their entire lives! Mothers and wives are at the forefront of that effort every day! This is one way a godly wife makes a real difference for the kingdom of God.

                                                  v.     Mission Ignorant: Yet a Christian home exists to serve God and to advance His kingdom throughout the world with the gospel! Many couples mistakenly believe the home exists to make them happy, fulfilled, or pleased. Again, we have allowed ourselves to adopt worldly ideals for our families. God calls us as believers to His mission in this world and seeks to reign as King from each life consciously submitted to Him. His will is to be done on this earth as it is correctly being done in heaven. Wives have forgotten this or never knew this important purpose. Our homes present another chance to serve the Lord, and not ourselves. 

A Pure Offering

 

A Pure Offering

Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 John 2:15-16

The concept of a pure offering is roundly depicted and afforded in Scripture, and God rejects any offering of the wrong qualities or nature. This can be seen in Abel and Cain’s offerings in Genesis chapter 4 with God’s acceptance of Abel’s blood sacrifice and His rejection of Cain’s formidable efforts. In Revelation chapter 21 we witness the perfect New Jerusalem ornamented in the astounding beauty of holiness prepared for the Lord God descending from Heaven. God rejects wrong worship, and He accepts worship that aligns with His values.

It is in Ephesians 5 we find Christ’s example and the following encouragements,

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; ²⁶ That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷ That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-27)

We see this illustrates that the church, as a glorious spotless pure bride, is to be presented to Christ without even a wrinkle, denoting complete holiness and purity. Such commitment models this love to husbands for their wives, reflecting the Lord’s self-sacrificing, altruistic, and transformative impact on such relationships. Our work as minister of Christ is thus outlined and our task toward the church is given design and purpose. We are also smitten with the fact that Christ desires a holy virgin for a permeant wife.

Clearly, God prizes holiness, purity, cleanness, and spotlessness in His people and their services; any believer who presumes to make an offering to Him must undertake to ensure it is free of any contaminations. This is at the very least an expression of Christ’s transformative work in us. With a measure of confidence in Christ, we can so present ourselves to Christ to execute any aspect of His will. This is the standard though…we are so accustomed to hurrying to say, ‘but we are not perfect yet’ or that we are ‘extremely flawed at our best.’ While these observations are true of us, the standard expectations of God are not reduced or eliminated in light of our imperfections. He really wants and deserves a ‘pure offering.’ Great is our need to live and serve in the power of the Holy Spirit! Much else can be said about either of these passages, but the striking emphasizes of a pure offering is worth pondering further.

From God’s perspective purity is a state of being free from sin and moral corruption; this is a tell-tale sign of real holiness and sanctity. Purity encompasses both our outward actions and the conditions of our hearts and minds. We can see this clearly depicted in, Matthew 5:8, where God stipulates, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Therefore, God calls believers to pursue purity in thoughts, actions, and intentions, reflecting His own holiness and righteousness in our endeavors. God is obviously doing a transformative work in such lives and services. In addition, these believers are roundly assured of seeing God! Beloved, not just ‘any old thing’ is ‘good enough’ for God!

Then Romans 12:1, is so encouraging saying, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

Our Lord emphasizes the importance of dedicating ourselves as a form of worship…this is how we do acceptable worship to our Lord. God calls us to present our bodies as “living sacrifices”, which is living according to methods and conditions that honors Him and reflects His gracious mercies. Not merely a worship service or a song, but a lifestyle of devotion to Him. Our minds and bodies must be pleasing to the Lord as we make offerings and sacrifices of ourselves and our substance to Him. He mandates a transformation of the mind, urging us to reject worldly patterns and discern His “good, acceptable, and perfect will” (Rom. 12:2). Such transformation is essential for living a life that fall in line with God’s purposes and offering sacrifices expressive of His values.

Again, as Christ’s people, the only satisfactory worship is to offer ourselves wholly and entirely to the Lord. We are to be under God’s control, our yet-unredeemed bodies can and must be yielded to Him as “instruments of righteousness” (Romans 6:12-13; 8:11-13). Reflecting on the incredible ultimate sacrifice of Jesus for us and our sins, a complete self-sacrifice is only “reasonable.”

Beloved, we should live…breath in, exist, function, serve, and offer ourselves in the eternal flames of a “living sacrifice.” It is here that right motives are embraced, the pursuit of God-honoring purposes are incorporated, actions that mirror Christ once-and-for-all sacrifice of Himself for our sins are followed, and we afford precisely what God requires as He has need of us or it. We afford God a platform for His fire and offerings! It is in this space we realize our great purpose, true freedom, real power, and the kingdom of God over us! We sustain brilliant testimonies to His love, sacrifice, salvation, and faithfulness. We blend our motivations with His; we become whatever He requires; we donate and render anything He would use. We live for such sacrifices unto Him!

So, what exactly does a ‘living sacrifice’ look like anyway? Well Romans 12:2, explains, we are not to ‘conform’ to this world’s expectations. This ‘world’ (1 John 2:15-16) consists of the “lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” So, the “lust of the flesh” stemming from our fallen sinful nature, includes anything that appeals to our appetites. These very strong, inordinate desires are often associated with sinful behaviors and cravings that draw us away from a godly life. They may involve excessive desires for food, drink, sex, and anything else that gratifies our physical needs. It encompasses not only sexual lust but also other sinful desires such as jealousy, pride, and idolatry. This is the struggle between earthly wants and spiritual living. Ultimately, it represents the conflict between following our base instincts and obeying God’s higher morality.

The “lust of the eyes” refers to our covetous desires or longings for things that we see, often leading to sinful thoughts or actions. “Lust of the eyes” certainly involves materialism, coveting whatever we see that we don’t have and envying those who have what we want. It implies a craving that goes beyond mere approval, turning into a godless fixation on material assets, physical attractions, or prohibited wants. This is a temptation to desire what belongs to others or to indulge in visual pleasures that are not morally acceptable.

Then there is the “pride of life” which is any ambition that feeds our pride, puffs us up on a pedestal, and puts us on the throne of our own lives. This is the temptation and desire for power, personal recognition, self-aggrandizement, and personal glory. It encompasses a self-centered opinion of our life, identity, and achievements, often leading to arrogance and a sense of superiority based on material possessions and social status. God sees such persons as opposing Him as they emphasize worldly values over spiritual ideas. Beloved, we are not to permit the world to press us into its mode!

Furthermore, purity certainly involves parting with uncleanness and comprehensive consecration to God (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1). We are to be holy “in all manner of conversation [behavior],” so that everything we do reflects the holy character of God. To such dedicated believers, there is no such thing as ‘secular’ and ‘sacred.’ All of life is holy as we live in pursuit of glorifying God. Even such ordinary activities as eating and drinking can be done to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). If something cannot be done to the glory of God, then we can be sure it must be out of the will of God. You see holiness and purity address every area of our existence without exceptions.

Beloved, casual…unholy attitudes and lifestyles dominate the ‘Christian’ scene anymore. There is little regard for truly holy purity. We water down the requirements of God to avoid offending mere people! Though there are deeply committed followers of Christ, so many remain halfhearted in their pursuits for personal holiness. It is disturbing how there seems to be little interest in understanding holiness from a Bible-based perspective. Thank God there are those willing to stand on God’s promises, share their faith with the unsaved, worship God consistently, and serve others sacrificially. However, so many professing believers want God’s blessings, but they care little for his holiness or anything regarding His plan. Furthermore, many folks seem to be more concern with what they can get away with…is this okay or is that permissible? The interest is not on how much closer we can get to godliness, but how much closer we can get to worldliness.

Titus 1:15-16, says, “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. [16] They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”  

 I am merely repeating what God already said, and I am immensely humbled by this opportunity! There is a serious problem with such carelessness about God and the things pertaining to the Lord. Disrespectful attitudes toward God and a lifestyle devoted to Him can be seen in every sector of our culture. Oh, this fallen Adamic dismissive spirit in me! It’s a major mistake invading into politics, entertainment, sports, fashion, the internet, science, music, and even in modern ‘Christianity.’ Let me be the first to admit that I find these ideas extremely challenging and even intimidating. I confess myself unworthy and grossly unqualified in myself…no matter what my status is or my accomplishments are! A holy reverence has been erected in my very soul, and I will not deny it! Repentance…though it is necessary will take some serious courage to be truly counter-cultural, but God calls us to do just that. I am supremely thankful for Christ Jesus my Lord.

Yes, as a perceptive believer you understand this is a peerless opportunity afforded us. Before we can proceed though, we must examine ourselves to ensure we are ready to act. Ask yourself these searching questions. Do I regularly under-value the freedoms of knowing, approaching, and serving God? Do I take holy opportunities for granted or possibly disrespect them frequently? Do I casually dismiss responsibilities God considers vital? Would I be comfortable with God treating me, the way I routinely treat Him? Obviously, faithful devotion and purity of heart are roundly important to our great God, but are such pure sacrifices something I cherish?

Laying Aside Hypocrisy

 

 

1 PETER 2:1-5

SUBJECT: GROWTH THROUGH ENDURANCE

RELEVANCE: because God is always in control and our hope is in Christ, we are admonished to never despair or backslide due to difficult and unfair circumstances. We should rather strive to grow spiritually and persevere in practical righteousness. We must lay aside wrong attitudes because they encumber God’s glory and our spiritual progress.

THEME: We must lay aside hypocritical attitudes because they hinder God’s glory and our spiritual appetite and growth.

INTRODUCTION: how should I conduct myself when life seems to fall apart? What does God expect of me when the situation is harsh, one-sided, and bursting with uninvited burdens? God invites us to view our season of troubles as trials of our faith—opportunities to bring greater glory to God when Christ appears (see 1 Peter 1:6-7).

1) We are inclined to abandon godly expressions resorting rather to handling hurts, troubles, and unfair treatments as before we trusted Christ. In such times we need to refocus ourselves and adjust our perspective to live more according to God’s expectations emotionally.

2)  Instead of becoming cold towards God, we must maintain a correct spirit toward him and others.  Sometimes it is very easy to put on a smile and go through the motions, but to be real in our spirit, attitude, and heart is a different matter. Trials can be real opportunities to grow spiritually, but we will have to be especially attentive to the purpose of living for God during these challenging conditions.

MESSAGE: 

STRIVE TO GROW SPIRITUALLY BY LAYING ASIDE ATTITUDES OF HYPOCRICY (1PET. 2:1)

There is a great temptation to take on non-Christian attitudes and to assume a hostile spirit when difficulties come. Sometimes extreme adjustments, out of the ordinary pressures, and unfamiliar challenges can generate negative energies that will eventuate into hostility, irritability, and shortness of patience towards God and with others. In such times the Child of God must resist the temptation to revert to the old sinful tendencies and persist in uprightness.

1.  We must reject all forms of hypocrisy “and hypocrisies”  

Again, the idea of Laying Aside is like striping a banana peeling away from the fruit inside and casting it away as useless.  Likewise, we must reject hypocrisies because they will hindering God’s glory and our spiritual growth in the Lord.

         A. Hypocrisy Highlights a Person Who Is Insincere and Pretentious. 

The hypocrite is a play-actor, pretending to be someone he is not. They are feigning to be what they are not; assuming a false appearance of religion; cloaking a wicked purpose under the appearance of holiness.

ILLUSTRATION: He pretends to be happy in his marriage when his home is a battlefield of conflict with his wife and children. He or she pretends to be committed to Christ on Sunday, but is carnal, sensual, and worldly during the weekdays. He or she pretends to be interested in others’ welfare, but their motives are actually abusive, selfish, and advantageous. They commonly exploit, manipulate, milk, leverage, play on, and pimp people with little or no regard for their well-being.

         B. If a Believer Feels Like He Can Fake His Way Through His Christian Life He Will Never Experience Real Growth nor bring glory to God. Jesus repeatedly discouraged and warned of the downfall of hypocrites (Matt. 6:16-18; 7:3-5; 23:1-39)! We will be most tempted to fake the Christian life when the trials are heavy upon us. This is when we must concentrate the most on allowing the indwelling Christ to live genuinely and authentically through us.

ILLUSTRATION: READ SOME HYMNS WE REALLY SING

(1) When morning glides the skies/ My heart awaking cries/ Oh  no, another day

(2) Amazing grace, how sweet the sound/ that saved a wretch like you.

(3) The strife is o’er, the battle done/ Our church has splite and our side won.

(4) The church’s one foundation/ Is Tax-deductible.

(5) My Hope is built on nothing.

Let us take off hypocrisies and be real and genuine inside and outside.

2. There Are Several Forms of Hypocrisy. (1Pet. 2:1)

The word being plural comprehends all sorts of hypocrisies, and we have already suggested a few of these.

1. Religious 

Hypocrisy in Matters of Religion Is Counterfeit Spirituality.

Matt 23:27-28, Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.  (28)  Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Many times, it happens with saying the right things around the right folks. Speaking the Christian language, having the correct ‘look,’ and being present for the services of the church. They appear righteous and God fearing and this can readily be observed by on lookers. But when away from church and Christian influences that same person seems to be someone else altogether. They suffer greatly with a Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde lifestyle. 

                   i) We Must Beware of Spiritual Hypocrisy.

Matthew 16:6, Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Luke 12:1, In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

The Pharisees professed to adhere to the minutest details of the Law, yet their obedience was external and shallow. Inwardly they were evil and corrupt. Since this form of hypocrisy is likened unto leaven it has the potential to permeate the entire life with pretensions, manipulation, make-believe, abusing, play acting, walking on, exploiting, and counterfeiting. Leaving the individual totally corrupt–a living lie!

Matthew 23:24-28, Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [25] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. [26] Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. [27] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. [28] Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

What we actually are is far more important than what we want others to think we are.  We tend to emphasize reputation—what we want others to think we are.  God emphasizes the Person—what we really are!  He desires truth in the inward parts–the heart!

Psalm 51:6, Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

                  ii) Our Holiness Must Be Genuine and Free of Any Counterfeiting.

Matthew 5:20, For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

                       aa) “Your righteousness”, your holiness; your views of the nature of righteousness, and your conduct and lives. Unless you have God’s own holiness, one cannot be saved.

                       bb) “Shall exceed”, will excel, or abound more. The personal righteousness of true Christians are seated in the heart, and is therefore genuine. Jesus means that unless they had more real holiness of character than the scribes and Pharisees, they are not behaving like saved people.

                       cc) “The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees”. Their righteousness consisted in outward observances of the ceremonial and traditional law. They offered sacrifices, fasted often, prayed much, were extremely proper about hygiene and cleanliness, and tithes, and the ceremonies of religion, but neglected fairness in treatment, truth and honesty, purity in motivations, and holiness of heart. See Matt 23:13-33. The righteousness that Jesus requires is purity, chastity, honesty, self-control, the fear of God, and the love of man. It is pure, eternal, reaching the motives, and makes our lives holy within and outside.

1 Samuel 16:7, But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

Matthew 5:8, Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.  

2. Social.  

Hypocrisy In Social Relationships Is Counterfeit Friendship.

This is much practiced by those who give high compliments, which they do not mean, make promises which they never intend to perform, or pretend friendship when mischief lies in their hearts. They tend to smile in your face for now but will later stab you in the back!

James 1:26, If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. (James 3:17)

3. Moral.

Hypocrisy Is Self-Righteous or Counterfeit Moral Purity.

Luke 18:10-14, Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. [11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. [12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. [13] And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Far too many people rest in their own goodness or proper activities for moral excellence and cleanliness. But God accepts the person who owns their sinfulness and asks for God’s righteousness instead. True morality begins with being honest with ourselves before God and in our interactions with other people. The key to morality is not perfection, but authenticity.

3. God Expects us to be Real.

We Must Resist Pretenses and Strive to Be Authentic and Real.

1 Tim 1:5, Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: (Exercising Real Faith from a clean and pure heart)

1 Peter 1:22, Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: (Exercising Real Love out of a pure heart because we have believed the gospel)

1 John 3:18-19, My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. (19) And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. (A Real Walk before and with the Lord reflected in our authentic activities)

 

I'd Rather See A Sermon

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day,

I'd rather one should walk with me than merely show the way.

The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear;

Fine counsel is confusing, but example always clear;

And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,

For to see the good in action is what everybody needs.

I can soon learn how to do it if you'll let me see it done,

I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.

And the lectures you deliver may be wise and true:

But I'd rather get my lesson by observing what you do.

For I may misunderstand you and the high advice you give,

But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

-Edgar A. Guest

 

CONCLUSION: How does God expect me to conduct myself in troubled times? We Must Lay Aside any Wrong Attitudes of the Heart Because They Hinder Go’s glory and Our Spiritual Appetite and Growth. Let Us Lay Aside the Wrong Attitude of Hypocrisy!

1) God expects us to take off attitudes that hide/conceal His glory and distort our spiritual growth (see 1 Peter 2:1-2).  

2) Instead of giving up resorting to hypocrisy, pretense, and faking, refocus our perspective to God’s expectations for us emotionally.         

3) Being Godly, Pure and Clean in our innermost being in this polluted unfair world means submission to the Control of the Holy Spirit (Temperance) (Galatians 5:22-25). Secondly, we need to be authentic…real…free of any pretense.

4) Don’t spend your energy trying to avoid trials but thank God for them. Adversity helps us develop endurance, and endurance is a powerful weapon to have in our character arsenal. Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience (Perseverance/Endurance); [4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope: [5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

If you are at a quitting point, count the cost very carefully before throwing in the towel. Quitting is not glamorous. It does not develop your character. God does not call it blessed. In most cases, you will regret it for the rest of your life. But when you come to the quitting point and then, drawing on God’s strength, you build endurance in your life and glorify God.