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The Very Definition of Hypocrisy
Manage episode 420527874 series 3561225
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Let’s face it, loving other people can be hard. They don’t always treat us the way we want to be treated. They don’t always behave how we want them to behave. And little by little … that eats away at you.
More than likely, there will be people in your life right now who bring you great joy. And then, there will be others who, when you picture their faces, conjure up a variety of not-so-nice emotions like hurt, anger, pain.
Perhaps they’ve done you some wrong. Perhaps they’ve offended you in some way. Perhaps they have some crazy ideas with which you profoundly disagree. And so, the natural human response to those people is gradually to harden your heart against them as a protective mechanism.
The problem is, when your heart hardens, hatred begins to fester until it consumes you from the inside out. That’s where God’s Word on this is such a powerful healer:
1 John 4:19-21 We love because God first loved us. If we say we love God but hate any of our brothers or sisters in his family, we are liars. If we don’t love someone we have seen, how can we love God? We have never even seen him. God gave us this command: If we love God, we must also love each other as brothers and sisters.
Think about it. The very definition of hypocrisy is a Christian going around with a mouthful of Scripture and yet, a heart full of hate.
Allow God’s Word to set you free today. Invite the Holy Spirit into your heart to soften it, to heal it, to set you free from hatred.
We love because God loved first.
That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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