Scripture:
Luke 12:1-3 ESV
[1] In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. [2] Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known. [3] Therefore, 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.
Observation:
People wanted to hear what Jesus had to say. They would follow HIM for miles to find out what HE was teaching stories about seeds, fruit fish, and building houses that were used to teach the principles of the kingdom of heaven. On this day, HE had a message that would be set down in the bones of the religious leaders of that time, and I’m not really sure they were ready to receive it. Jesus was not one to sugarcoat things when it came to those who were in positions of leadership. HE shot about as straight as HE could aiming directly for the heart. You see, the Pharisees would hold those they were leading to one standard, but behind closed doors, they were not willing to live that standard themselves. The common term for that is hypocrisy. This term comes from the Greek, and what it means is 2-faced, or someone who pretends to be someone they are not, and Jesus was calling it out. Warning all those around to beware of that kind of behavior. These religious leaders thought they were pulling the wool over the eyes of those they were leading. But the real truth is they were not hiding anything, and the Son of GOD was putting them on notice that although they may think they were getting away with living a double life what they were doing would soon be exposed. It could not be hidden forever, and they certainly were not going to hide it from GOD.
Application:
The question is, what are you doing that if others saw it, they would think differently of you. If we are honest, all of us would have to say there is at least one thing that, if exposed, would change someone’s opinion of us. Well, guess what. At some point, it will be exposed. Whether by your confession or by the curtain being pulled back, it’s really your choice. One way will lead to healing, and the other way will lead to more damage. However, the bottom line is that it will be exposed, and the double life will come to an end. I have found over the years that it’s best just to be the same person no matter where I go. Living in the light not only helps you see but also keeps you from tripping over hidden actions and conversations. Now I don’t want you to get me wrong. There are conversations I will have with my wife that others will never hear. But that’s because she is my helper, and making decisions together is one of the commitments we have made to each other. I’m sure that’s not what this scripture is talking about. Hypocrisy is dangerous. It’s one of the number one things Jesus confronted the Pharisees about. My point is this. If you live in the light, you don’t have to worry about the deeds done in the dark because there are none, and if you do have some things that, if exposed, would hurt or change someone’s opinion… confess them. It will not only set you free from the shame and guilt. But it will shut down the lies of the enemy and honestly take his power away from him. Just like GOD knew that Adam had eaten the fruit… He knows what you have done as well, and just like GOD wanted to hear it from Adam, HE wants to hear it from you. The Bible says to confess your sins one to another so that you may be healed. The warning is this: Don’t be a hypocrite. Holding others to a standard that behind closed doors, you are not willing to hold yourself to. How can you take the speck out of someone’s eye when there is a 2×4 in yours blocking your view? Bring your sins to the light. They will be there at some point anyway, either willingly or against your desire. Like I said, at the beginning, one way hurts a lot less.
Prayer:
Father, I know this is a hard thing for most of us to do. But I’m asking you this morning to hear our prayers and let the healing begin. Help us to live in the light. We don’t want to do anything in our lives that we couldn’t do if you were sitting next to us… because in reality, you are not just sitting next to us, but you live in and through us. We want to live like we have nothing to hide… and we want to live that way because it’s true. Not just because we think we have hidden it so well that it won’t be uncovered. We just got done reading in your word that it will be exposed at some point. One thing we need to ask is that you would forgive us and change us from who we were into who you have made us to be. If confession is needed, give us the tools needed to do so. We want to be healed, and we want others to heal as well. Just show us how to move forward. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.