A Hypocrite In The Family
But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil. -- Jesus (Matt 5:37)
I recently discover a hypocrite in our family. A couple of my sons recently said they would finish some homework “tonight”. But, when we rose in the morning the work had not been done. So, I woke them up an hour early to finish their work. They brought up excuses of “I forgot”, “I’ll do it later”, and “It’s not important.” But, it was their character quality of integrity that was important -- would they be men of their word or not?
After a couple of mini-sermons on the importance of character, being men of their word, and resisting temptation, they eventually got up and did the work. As I then got into my prayer time, my mini-sermons and these verses from Scripture continued to echo in my own mind. I suddenly realized that I had not kept my word to Ouida, my bride. I had told her that I would seek to have an in-depth conversation with her on a regular basis. But, I had not been keeping my word to her. Other things were getting higher priority. On top of that, this meant I had failed to keep my vow before God and man to love her “for better or worse”, and “in sickness and in health”. I was only keeping my promise and vow when it was convenient or suited my own selfish schedule and purposes.
So, I went to my Bride and told her what God had revealed to me about how I was a hypocrite in talking to my sons about being a man of integrity while failing to keep my word to her. I sincerely asked for her forgiveness. I was shocked when she told me that she had just been praying that God would help her with the feelings of hurt and loneliness that she had been feeling from my neglect. We prayed together and she told God that she forgave me for the hurt I had caused her and I asked God’s forgiveness and strength to keep my word.
I’m realizing how easy it is to be a liar to those I’m closest to. It’s easy and comes natural to make commitments and then find excuses to default on our obligations and responsibilities. Think about your relationship to your spouse, children, parents or co-workers. Are you making excuses for not “being there”, for not keeping your word, or not sincerely carrying through on your commitments as husband, wife, student, spiritual leader or employee? If so, let’s not whitewash the truth – we are liars, thieves and, worst of all, hypocrites. Yes, I found a hypocrite in the family and it was me.
Project:
- Let’s change our minds about the righteousness of our actions and bring our load of sin to Jesus at the cross. He has already paid the penalty we deserve.
- Let’s go to those we’ve damaged or hurt by not keeping our word and ask their forgiveness.