Are you a hypocrite?

"He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him. Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears." Job 13:16-17 

Many Christians are accused of being a hypocrite, myself included.

So what is a hypocrite? 

a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs. ~ Dictionary.com

"Let me ask you, how many atheists are now in this house? Perhaps not a single one of you would accept the title, and yet, if you live from Monday morning to Saturday night in the same way as you would live if there were no God, you are practical atheists; and as actions speak more loudly than words, you are more atheists than those doctrinal unbelievers who disavow God with their mouths, and, after all, are secretly afraid of him."~ CH Spurgeon.

"A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." James 1:8

Another term for this "athiest", "hypocrite" or "double-minded" person is LUKEWARM...

"So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." Revelation 3:16

This is a very dangerous place to be. God will not allow you into the Kingdom of Heaven without the mark of His Son's blood that covers a multitude of sin, and sealed by His Holy Spirit! Chose this day whom you will serve. You never know when your final breath will be drawn. If you talk the talk then walk the walk! You may be fooling others around you and possibly even yourself, but God judges the intents of the heart. He cannot be deceived!

There is nothing hidden from His sight. Are you truly living what you claim? Do words and actions match? Are you willing to prayerfully examine yourself in the light of Scripture?

Watered in the Word

Photo credit: picture captured from my garden

One day while standing outside with my husband and a friend, my husband noticed a plant in dire need of water. So, I went and grabbed the hose. 

Common sense right, Lol! Plants need water to not only grow but to survive. As I'm watering our plants in need, the Lord spoke immensely to my heart. 

He reminded me of those around us (born again believers). People notice when we are dry and parched too. Though they likely can't put a finger on why we are changing, they take note. Others around us are watching! 

If we aren't being watered daily, our hearts can become hardened which makes a prime breeding ground for weeds (i.e. bitterness, anger, resentment, etc.) to set in. Sounds crazy, but it's true. The Word is the Living waters we need daily! 

If we don't allow the Word to saturate us from the inside out, there's no way we can live what we believe is true about God, much less share those wonderful testimonies that belong to the Lord! Even if we tried sharing, who would believe a crabby, complaining & contentious Christian?

If we've allowed ourselves to become dry and dusty, it only takes a few moments to get back on track. Turn back to those living waters and allow the ground of your heart to heed His call!

"Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." 2 Corinthians 4:1-2

Question is, are we willing to look at the state of our hearts conditions? Are we watered daily, regularly consuming the Word resulting in a reflection of Christ? Or, have we grown dry, dusty, crabby and contentious?