The Holy Spirit in my communion time with Him this morning reminded me of this issue with hypocrisy and our willingness to discern and deal with it if we are to have victory in situations in our lives as it will continue to surface because it is a weapon set to keep followers of Jesus to stumble and give access to defeat from a position of victory. So allow these words to minister life and wisdom and understanding to you today as you look to the New Year and what is ahead for you in Jesus name. Amen.

The Holy Spirit reminded me this morning of something to beware of in all my doings in life that Jesus spoke emphatically to His disciples in Luke:12:1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. To watch out for hypocrisy that comes from people and hypocrisy that flows from yourself.

Proverbs:26.24-26 Kind words can be a cover to conceal hatred of others, for hypocrisy loves to hide behind flattery.25 So don’t be drawn in by the hypocrite, for his gracious speech is a charade, nothing but a masquerade covering his hatred and evil on parade. 26 Don’t worry—he can’t keep the mask on for long. One day his hypocrisy will be exposed before all the world.

When you look at this scripture you can understand why Jesus made it a priority to teach His disciples this important truth because it would be an issue they would have to deal with every day and mastery of it would be vital to their progress or failure, because depending on whether they could see through hypocrisy would determine how they would walk with or refrain from walking with individuals.

The first point the Holy Spirit made clear was that hypocrisy had the garb of much praise and flattery which is a lie and discernment of this in individuals would show whether you fall for it or not. He pointed out that their gracious speech is a charade and masks the hatred and evil of their heart on show.

He reminded me of Judas at the home of Martha in John:12.4-6 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

It appears from this verse that judas was against waste and had a special place in his heart for the poor and was even more concerned than Jesus who was basking in the gift Mary was giving Him but it turned out that judas’ motive was not the poor but that he could not lay hold of the money the fragrant oil would bring in if it were sold because he was a thief not a minister to the poor.

Everybody who witnessed that event would have thought and said that judas had a special gift and passion for the poor because of what he said not did, however Jesus knew it was a charade and dealt with it squarely and blessed Mary for her offering of love for her Master Jesus and her guaranteed reward for doing this wonderful deed which judas was seeking to show as an extravagant waste of money which could be put to a more important use.

Well by John:13 we get to see who Judas really was when he betrayed his Master again for money (his heart was still the same) and the kiss he used to express love though again it was a charade as it showed his hatred and evil heart in full view. You can’t hide your heart, it will expose who you really are.

Now you can see why Jesus made this issue of hypocrisy so important because it needs to be spiritually discerned because in the natural it really looks like wisdom and good deeds but is sensual and demonic in nature because it is really a lie and there is no truth in it seeking for you to approve it as true. Well today the Holy Spirit wants you to begin to weigh or judge hypocrisy in your life and watch for it in your dealings with people and make sure you are not swayed by its persuasive natural evidence.

The Holy Spirit just reminded me of an incident I had when ministering in Botswana. I had ministered that whole day to a lady that evening and as she brought me home and there was another lady waiting for me at home and she was complaining on my behalf that people should give me space and not keep expecting me to be available at all times to help them.

However the Lord spoke to me and said minister to her for she will be a blessing to you so I ignored the ladies advice and good words and ministered to her and that day she was saved from a potential accident that would take her life and yes she became the blessing to me God said she would be and support in my life and ministry for several years while the other lady did nothing for me though I had given her my time and ministry that day and other times before and after.He reminded me that just looking at the seeming good intentions of people do not truly reflect who they are so we need to follow the Holy Spirits discernment and do as He requires for in that obedience is life.

My prayer for you today is that you allow these words to take root in your hearts and change your view and perception of events and be freed from the power of hypocrisy and find the life Jesus purposed for you because you walk with truth and not a charade put on display to take you down.

May God’s grace in these words empower you to discern correctly and deliver you from past misjudgements that are still costing you and potential new ones being hatched against you so that freedom in the Holy Spirit will guard you against all hypocrisy and keep you as it did Jesus from losing His reward and you yours.

Have a fruitful and productive day radiating in the Presence of the Lord loaded with benefits in Jesus Name. Amen.