Hypocrites

Generally, people call other people hypocrites, but they do not think of themselves as hypocrites. The reason for this is two-fold. People tend to be more critical of others than they are of themselves, and people can justify and rationalize any action or belief, if they are not being totally honest with themselves. However, this is a serious situation, because God sees our hearts, and He knows when we are being hypocritical. It happened to the remnant left in Judah in Jeremiah's day, and it still happens today.(Jeremiah 42:20) We must guard our hearts against being hypocrites.

Basically, a hypocrite is a person who puts on an outward show that is not the same as what is going on in his or her heart. The hypocrite says one thing, but really means something else. It is a form of lying. It is deceitful, and God hates it. God desires truth in our hearts, and He wants our words and actions to match our hearts. If things don't match up, He can't bless us.

The remnant of Judah asked Jeremiah to pray for them and to let them know God's directions for them. They did not really mean that. They were going to leave and go to Egypt no matter what God said, because they were afraid of Babylon, and they thought they knew what was right. Therefore, they rejected God's answer and went to Egypt. Jeremiah went with them, so he could continue to show them they had to be honest with God, but they would not.

Are you being honest with God and with other people? When you pray, do you really want to know God's will, or do you want Him to affirm your will? It is hypocritical to pray for God's will, if you have no intention of doing what He says.

Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 44-46.