Think about this for a moment, you are walking in the park at night and you suddenly need to stop and tie your shoe. You have the option of stopping right where you are or walking an addition 100 feet to where there is a street light. Where do you stop? I know for me, I would walk the additional 100 feet to get to the street light for a couple of reasons. 1) It would certainly be a little easier to tie my shoe if I can see what I am doing and 2) I would feel a bit more secure in the light than simply stopping where I was.

“¹The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalm 27:1 (ESV)

I have a light to stop under at all times and that light is God. No, I am not saying that God provides the light for me to tie my shoe under. I have Him to provide the brightness that I can feel secure in as I cover this world. I do not have to be afraid of the world around me with the LORD lighting my way. The forces around me are in the dark and are not prepared for the light that the LORD provides. I am protected by simply living my life in the light of Christ.

Here is where it may be a bit confusing. Just accepting that the LORD provides the light for my path, does not mean that I have nothing else to do. I have to remain on the path. God has given me tasks to complete and as I am working through those tasks for God, He is providing the light for my protection. When I wander off the path is where I will find myself in danger of being devoured by the enemy. God is with me, always, I must remember that and when I do, I will bask in the protection He provides for me.

When you are in the world, are you sticking to the path lighted by the LORD? What have you experienced when you find you have wandered off the path? What protections have you benefited from as you have remained on the path lighted by God?

I just finished reading the book “FiSH” that lists out how to improve results at work and two of the ways are to “Be Present” and “Make Their Day”. God does this for us each day, especially when we ask Him.

“⁶There are many who say, ‘Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!’ ⁷You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” – Psalm 4:6-7 (ESV)

I see in these verses both of the concepts mentioned in the book I mentioned. God will “be present” as He shows us His face when we ask to speak with Him. He devotes His actions and time and attention to us as a father does for a child. There may not be anything that God does for us in that moment of attention, but He is there, listening and attentive to us as we let it out and “vent” things to Him. He allows us to speak to Him and he just listens intently to what it is we have to say.

He “makes their day” as well as he provides the hugs and care we are in search of in those times we come to Him. He holds us and spends the time with us as we are in need and during that time, His attention is there with us. He gives us more than just the monetary and physical, He give us joy and inner satisfaction that we do matter and for that I want more and know the way to get more is to ask and devote my time to Him just as He devotes His time to me.

God is there for us as a light, not just in the darkness, but also as security and provision. He is there with us when we ask and when with us, it is not just the cursory being in the room, He is there physically, mentally, and spiritually for us to draw on to satisfy the needs we have. I am grateful that God shows the light of His face for me to follow in all times.

What awareness do you have the God is present with you? What does it look like for your as God makes your day? How are you allowing God to demonstrate His presence through the light of His face in your life each day?

Too often I find myself brooding over what I perceive as a lack of reciprocation in the actions that I have taken in life. It seems as though I have provided assistance and compassion and guidance for others. Job felt much the same way, and said as much.

“²⁴Yet does not one in a heap of ruins stretch out his hand, and in his disaster cry for help? ²⁵Did not I weep for him whose day was hard? Was not my soul grieved for the needy?” – Job 30:24-25 (ESV)

I feel as though I provide help for those in need, much like Job, and in return I am left in the cold when my time of need arises, as Job does as well.

“²⁶But when I hoped for good, evil came, and when I waited for light, darkness came.” – Job 30:26 (ESV)

I feel abandoned when there is something I need, or have asked for, and do not receive in return. I give and give and serve and serve, only to be left out in the cold when I am in need.

But am I? Man only thinks of himself as it is in our nature to do so. Am I thinking of this all wrong as a man? I should be thinking of how I can glorify God and then look to Him for my reward and the reciprocation on the work that I have done. It really makes no difference what man thinks of the work I have done, I do not do any of it for glory in this world. I don’t know why it matters to me that I receive from this world.

My work serving others is driven by my work for God and therefore the reward I receive is from Him. I need to be looking for light in Him and know that there is no darkness there. I look for good in Him and know that there is no evil there. I look for God and know there is nothing or no one else there to provide for me.

When looking for the reciprocation for the work you have done, where are you looking? Are you seeking the validation from man? What would it be like if you looked to God to light your way?

“³And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” – Genesis 1:3 (ESV)

And there you have it, after created the heavens and the earth, God created light. I guess I had never really thought about the order of things and how that order plays into scripture. Christ was the light of the world and brought love to all of mankind and just like Christ, I am to be a light for Christ in the world today in all I do.

“⁴And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.” – Genesis 1:4 (ESV)

“God saw that the light was good”, what a glorious revelation, one that impacts the rest of my view of scripture and my outlook on my life here in this world. God knew good when he saw it and it only stands to reason that He would expand on that goodness and so He brought us Christ as the light of the world.

I am continually amazed at how something that I have read and been aware of for so long can finally hit me as knowledge so much later in life. I have known verses 1-5 of Genesis as long as I have known the bible. And until now, I had not really thought of the impact of those verses on the rest of God’s Word and how it impacts my life.

I am grateful that I have the chance to continue learning each day. I am blessed to have the opportunity to witness and be a part of the goodness that is Jesus Christ. I have been called upon to be a light in this dark world as to the glory of Christ and bring His bright light to those in the dark. I cannot hide that light under a basket. It is my task as assigned by God to let my light shine and be sure that I am making it visible to the rest of the world.

“¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing the in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

When you go out, are you the light to those around you? What actions are you taking to be that light? Are you carrying out the good light as God identified when the world began?

“²Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by I you may grow up into salvation—³if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” – 1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)

This morning as I wrap up my study of the word “hypocrisy” for now, I was brought to this passage in 1 Peter, where the text is titled, “A Living Stone and a Holy People”. In the first few verses, he indicates that we should be “like newborn infants”. I was reminded that when we become a “new” born again Christian, we are starting over and need to learn, just like the newborn infant.

Newborns know nothing and only “desire for nourishment that will lead to growth” (NIV Commentary, verses 2 & 3). They are reliant on simply receiving that which they need to live and grow bigger, stronger, and knowing. They are not sure what it is they need to know, only receive all that comes and apply it to situations as they see examples of when they learned.

Why is it that we are not like the newborn and feel as though we already know all there is to know?

“¹So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.” – 1 Peter 2:1 (ESV)

And there it is, the why. I forget that as adults, we are in it not for the knowledge and growth and learning, but for how it will benefit me and how I can use it against others. You see that Peter addresses it clearly by writing that we should “put away” such things and become “like a newborn infant”. I have to remember that as a child of God, I really don’t know anything and as such, when I do learn of it, I should apply it as I see examples of when I learned.

And where should I be learning, God’s Word and those that are mature in His Word, just as a parent providing examples for the immature child. I do not know and when I learn, I am still not mature enough to know how to use what I learn. I have to be willing and take the action to put away the selfish desires of me and look to how I can use this newfound knowledge for the enhancement of the gospel and of Christ in the world I am in.

I am even at almost 50 years old, just a child of God and I should be looking to Him as my example of what right looks like as I do the work He has for me.

Have you been acting “like a newborn infant”? What things have you learned and are applying to your life in a selfish manner to only be better than those around you? What if you “put away” all of that and applied your learning to the your tasks assigned by God?

I am sure that most of us have heard that phrase before, and I am confident that we are pretty clear on the meaning. Others will look at how we are conducting ourselves more than they will listen to our words. It is important for us to always act according to God’s plan as we never know who is watching, and frankly, God is always watching.

“¹¹But when Cephas cam to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. ¹²For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. ¹³And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.” – Galatians 2:11-13 (ESV)

In and of itself, Peter (Cephas) was not doing anything that was outside of the gospel. As with the death of Christ on the cross, the Jewish laws and customs were not what justified one in the eyes of God. So eating with the Gentiles was not the issue being addressed by Paul as we might think. It was the doing so when no one was around to see him do it and then when men of the Jewish church came around, he “came back” to the Jewish law to “be seen as right” in the eyes of those from the church.

This is not secluded to the church and in the eyes of Christ. I see this in the business world as often, if not more, than I see in my dealings with those from the church. It is a matter of integrity. What makes it even worse in the business world is that it is considered a common practice and accepted.

“¹⁴But when I saw that their conduct was not it step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, ‘If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentile to live like Jews?’” – Galatians 2:14 (ESV)

Thankfully, Paul calls Peter out and hold him to account for his actions. Paul makes it very clear to Peter, and everyone else, that his actions are not in accordance with his words. We cannot expect someone to do things in the way that we expect, if we are acting contrary to those expectations ourselves. This is the matter of integrity and having a lack of it is severely negatively impacting to the further of what is expected.

We are to not only be speakers of the truth, but we must act in the way that shows the truth. And those actions are all the time, not just when the “important” people are watching, because the most important, GOD, is always watching and knows our every move and more importantly, our motives.

What are some things that you are currently doing that may be contrary to what you expect to be the right thing to do? How are you acting differently in the presence of the “important” people? Are your actions speaking louder than your words as you travel this world working for Christ?

“²Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. ³Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.” – Luke 12:2-3 (ESV)

This is such a simple truth spoken by Jesus. We should all be taking heed to these words.

It is easy for us to think and believe that we will not be found out for what we say or do. And as Jesus was well aware and it did happen in those days, just look at how much more things are found out today. We are under a microscope of social media at every minute of our days. I know that even for me, as a corporate trainer, and we are now doing about 99% of our training virtually, I have been caught not being on mute and wonder if there was something I said that may have not put me in the right light.

As Christians, we are being scrutinized daily. We are being watched and vilified for the smallest of missteps and misstatements. We are being treated as hypocritical beings and when we are “caught” hiding in the dark, we should be.

I like to believe that I am honest and truthful. I have to remember that at all times, regardless of where I am. I am accountable for what I say and do, and therefore, I should be honest and truthful everywhere and at all times so as to not get “caught” hiding in the dark and risk being exposed.

How are you faring with what you are hiding in the dark? How rough is it when you are exposed? What can you do in order that you stay true and honest regardless of where you are?

It is right for me to follow the law of the land, as long as it is not in violation of the law of God.

“¹⁷Jesus said to them, ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they marveled at him.” – Mark 12:17 (ESV)

Jesus was being tested by the Pharisees and Herodians in an act of trying to catch Him either fully following the Roman way or in full rebellion of the Roman way. They were working to discredit Jesus by flattering Him with words they did not believe themselves.

“¹⁴And they cam and said to him, ‘Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?’” – Mark 12:14 (ESV)

I can see as this unfolds, the Pharisees and Herodians winking at each other as they speak and ask the questions. They were using backhanded compliments to work at manipulating the possible answers that Jesus could give. But, Jesus was clearly up to their game.

“¹⁵But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, ‘Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.’” – Mark 12:15 (ESV)

Jesus called them on it. He was not rude or overbearing in being right or wrong, He simply asked them to clarify their question by showing them proof of what should be done and not just speaking.

“¹⁶And they brought one. And he said to them, ‘Whose likeness and inscriptions is this?’ They said to him, ‘Caesar’s.’” – Mark 12:16 (ESV)

At this point, I can see them looking at each other realizing they had been exposed to which Jesus finishes by giving verse 17 from above.

I am put to the test by those around me as they bring their words and work to “catch” me. My duty is to bring the facts to them as I know they are doing it to mask their own deficiency in something as they deflect away from themselves. I am to show them the proof of what I believe to be correct based on the facts of the situation and the case at hand and not the concept of where they seem to be taking things to turn the tables on me to deflect from themselves.

I am to know where I stand and for who I stand. And when I do, following Christ, I am in the right.

Have you been tested by the words of others? What have you done to show your understanding in the facts? What if you simply dealt in the facts and avoided the hypocrisy of statements from others?

I look out in the world today and see all the influence that is wielded by those in the public eye. Socialites, politicians, entertainers, athletes, and captains of industry. Whereas each of these in their own right are great at what they do, they have taken on the role of prosecutor, judge, and jury for the rest of us, and have been, time and time again, found to do the opposite of what they say.

“²⁸So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” – Matthew 23:28 (ESV)

Jesus is speaking to the people and the disciples to say that they must be careful to view the Pharisees in the grand positive light they appear to be in. They may be talking a good game and showing a righteous way, when in fact that is only for show and when looking inward at the lives they lead they are less than the picture of righteousness.

I have witnessed on too many occasions those in the public eye telling me one thing and then getting “caught” doing the opposite. And when “caught” there is a long period of “explaining” what was seen away as not being true in context.

I will say that I am more inclined to believe the one that is open with their deception and does not try to be something they are not. At least then I know not to get close to or believe what they say as an application for my own way.

I know that I should be following Christ and not concerned with those in the world, but as such, I am looking to fellowship with those of like mindedness, and that is where I get tripped up. Those that appear to be of like mind, and then reveal themselves to be anything but in the actions when they get “caught”.

There was hypocrisy in the times of Jesus and there is hypocrisy today. I have to be diligent in minding where I put my faith in what is right. I should be looking to Christ and how He applies to me inwardly and be sure to bring that inward Christian to the outside for all to see. There must be a better sense in the world of example through actions and less so through our words.

When you are in the world, how much hypocrisy have you been witness? What approach are you taking in your own life? Are you living a life true to Christ inward and outward?

“¹⁷So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with and oath, ¹⁸so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast tot he hope set before us.” – Hebrews 6:17-18 (ESV)

It seems as though I may have found something in God’s word that I was not fully engaged with before. The commandment below clearly states not to take the name of the LORD in vain.

“⁷You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” – Exodus 20:7 (ESV)

As I am a sinner, I will lie. Therefore, my swearing to God about something is clearly in vain as I have all of the good intentions not to, but my capacity as a sinner is flawed and I will at some point fail to live up to the oath I make with God. And as such I will be taking His name in vain. I am not capable of swearing and fully holding to it. So I have found that swearing by the name of the LORD is indeed not possible. It is not about using bad words with God’s name attached to them, it is really about my incapacity to hold to the words I utter being that I am a sinner.

God does not have the capability to lie and therefore when He swears by Himself as He did with Abraham, His word is His full and trusted bond that I can count on, always. When God swears, it is the truth and He is bound to His words.

What swearing have you done lately? Have you sworn to God and taken his name in vain? What if you took the approach that you are incapable of holding to your words, and therefore would avoid calling on the name of the LORD in your swearing?