double standards

Matthew 7:3-5 & Luke 6:41-46

3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye’, when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

The hypocrite is an expert on other people’s sin but has excuses for his own. The hypocrite wants justice for other people’s sins but justifies his own. She notices other people’s sin and ignores her own. She wants to confront other people on their sin while bristling if anyone mentions hers.  The non-christian friends of the hypocrite do not see judgement (with double standards), not grace, as the primary characteristic of the church..

Am I a hypocrite? Am I quick to see faults in other people but ignore my own? Am I outraged that someone else has committed a particular sin but justify my own? Do I criticise others and expect them to change but get defensive or angry with any criticism I receive? Do I listen to challenges from God’s word with somebody else in mind? Do my non-christian friends learn from me that Christianity is about pointing out what everybody else is doing wrong?

If I am a hypocrite when it comes to having different standards for myself and other people, I do not need to ignore sin in everyone else. The solution is not just to try harder to clean myself up. I need to look at myself and others honestly in the light of God’s holiness, seeing my sin for the disgusting rebellion it is. I need to rejoice in God’s grace that he died for us out of his love for us, despite that sin. I need to stop comparing myself with others but realise that we are all great sinners with a great Saviour in Jesus.

hypocrites series

making a sacrifice?

Matthew 6:16-18

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

The hypocrite wants other people to see that they are fasting. They want others to be impressed by their sacrifice and commitment to God. They want others to realise how hard it is so they disfigure their faces, making sure it looks difficult. Their fast is for the benefit of others and the focus of their fast is themselves. 

Am I a hypocrite? Do I need others to realise what a sacrifice I’m making by doing a certain activity. Am I making sure everyone knows that I’ve put myself out? Would I be willing to do this if no one else ever knows about it? 

If I am a hypocrite when it comes to fasting, or any spiritual discipline, or any sacrifice that I am making, I don’t need to just grit my teeth and keep quiet about it in begrudging obedience. I need to think about the One who sacrificed himself for me. The One who gave up everything for me, when I deserve nothing. When that truth comes alive in my heart, I no longer feel the need to impress people with my sacrifices because they don’t seem like big sacrifices any more.

hypocrites series

do you pray like a hypocrite?

Matthew 6:5-6

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

The hypocrite wants other people to see that they are praying. They pray on the street corners or in the synagogues, which are not bad places to pray in themselves, but they have been chosen so that other people can see. We might think that praying is a beneficial act in and of itself, but prayer is only a big deal because of the One we are praying to. The hypocrite may be speaking words about God, and it may even sound as if his prayer is directed to God, but, in reality, he is praying to the audience of others and the focus of his prayer is himself. 

Am I a hypocrite? Am I more likely to pray when others are present because I want to impress them? Or am I less likely to pray in front of others because I’m so concerned about what they will think? How does my private prayer life compare to my public prayer life? Do I pray just because I think I should? Is my focus on what is being prayed more than the person who is being prayed to? 

If I am a hypocrite when it comes to prayer, I don’t need to just discipline myself to pray more as if God is someone else to impress with my prayers. My prayer does not make me acceptable before God, neither does the motivation behind my prayer, Jesus does. When I rest in that fact, prayer becomes less of a discipline and more like a child approaching a loving Father.

hypocrites series

how to be a hypocritical giver

A hypocrite is someone who has an image that doesn’t match the reality. A hypocrite appears differently depending on when and where you see them and whether they know you’re looking. A hypocrite is an actor, someone who wears a mask, who is two-faced. Everybody hates hypocrites. To be called two-faced is a big insult. It’s a common attack against the church to describe it as being full of hypocrites. Funnily enough, Jesus also called a lot of religious people hypocrites. If I call someone a hypocrite, I might be wrong, but when God starts calling people hypocrites, we’d better listen.

I hope that, as we look at the reasons why Jesus calls people hypocrites, we would recognise hypocrisy in ourselves. But don’t stop there, in despair or vowing to try harder to stop being a hypocrite. Look at Jesus, the only non-hypocritical person who ever lived, and the one who died for your hypocrisy.

Part 1 - how to be a hypocritical giver 

Matthew 6:2-4

when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you

The hypocrite wants others to see that they are giving. They are giving, not to help others, but in order to be praised by others. We might think of giving as a selfless act by definition, but the hypocrite shows that it can be done selfishly. The hypocrite looks generous but that is because they like to look generous. God isn’t fooled. God sees how generous we are when no one is looking. 

Am I a hypocrite when it comes to giving? 

Do I think first about what others will think when it comes to meeting a particular need? Am I generous if no one else will ever know about it? Do I talk as if I’m more generous than I am? Would people in the church think I'm more generous than people who know me at work?

If I am a hypocrite when it comes to giving, I don’t need to try harder to be generous when God is watching (which is all the time!), as if trying to impress God as well as others. What I need to do is look to the great Giver, the Generous One, who gave his Son for us. When I start to grasp what that means, it results in generosity that is oblivious to who’s looking.


hypocrites series

Sermon on the Mount

All the posts from the recent sermon on the mount series on this blog:

crazy talk Matthew 7:28-29
foundations and storms Matthew 7:24-27

job interview or party? Matthew 7:21-23 

undercover wolves Matthew 7:15 

going with the crowd Matthew 7:13-14 

a loving father Matthew 7:9-11 

the golden rule Matthew 7:12 

don't judge me Matthew 7:1-5 

anxiety Matthew 6:25-30 

money is a rubbish god 

two masters Matthew 6:24 

Am I a hypocrite? Mathew 6:1-18 
Praying to impress Matthew 6:5-8

why pray? Matthew 6:8 

look at me, look at me Matthew 6:1 

be perfect Matthew 5:48 

be more righteous part 7 - grace not karma Matthew 5:44-47 

be more righteous part 6 - love your enemies Matthew 5:43-45 

be more righteous part 5 - outrageous mercy Matthew 5:38-41 

be more righteous part 4 - spin doctors Matthew 5:33-37 

be more righteous part 3 - attack the root Matthew 5:27-28 

be more righteous part 2 - anger Matthew 5:21-22 

be more righteous part 1 - look deeper Matthew 5:20 

fulfilled Matthew 5:17-19 

on display Matthew 5:14-16  

true happiness part 5: shocking attitudes  

true happiness part 4: it will be uncomfortable Matthew 5:9-12 

true happiness part 3: you need rescuing Matthew 5:7-8 

true happiness part 2: don't look after number one Matthew 5:5-6

true happiness part 1: don't believe in yourself Matthew 5:3-4 

crazy talk

Matthew 7:28-29

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

The crowds didn't hear the sermon on the mount and remain indifferent. They didn't just think it was a nice bit of moral teaching. They were astonished. It blew their minds. They couldn't believe what he was saying. If we look at Jesus' teaching and don't think he is either God or a lunatic, then we haven't understood it. Here is a man that has claimed that it's humble and broken people who are blessed, not the proud "successful" people. He has raised the bar on the level of righteousness that the Pharisees demanded. He said that you need to be perfect, you need to love your enemies and turn the other cheek. He has called the respected religious leaders hypocrites. He said that there are people claiming to follow God who are actually on a path to destruction. It's not only shocking to the people at the time but also for us - it's the opposite of the common opinions held in modern society.

It is crazy. Or true

foundations and storms

Matthew 7:24-27

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.

• Two men are mentioned, wise and foolish. What's the difference between them? They're both listening to the words of Jesus but the wise man acts on it, he obeys Jesus. He doesn't just agree with the principles, he surrenders his life. Are you just listening to Jesus or are you following?
• Both men build houses. The difference is the foundation. the wise man builds his house on the rock - Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only sure foundation to build our lives upon. If we are building on anything else - money, career, relationships, reputation - then we are building on sand. The house may look just as good, but it could be moments away from collapsing - you lose your job and it's gone, your marriage is in trouble and it's gone. The foundation is like sand.
• We tend to think that building your house on the rock means that the storm doesn't come but that is not what happens here. Both men, both houses get hit by rain, floods and wind. Being a Christian does not mean the storms will not come. It doesn't mean that you wont suffer or face difficulties. The promise is not that you will have an easy life. It is that the storm will not be the end of you. Your foundation can survive the storm.

job interview or party?

Matthew 7:21-23

Not everyone who says to me "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?" And then will I declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness"

There are people who call themselves Christians but they are not. there are people who believe they are Christians but they are not. Jesus makes it clear that the test is not what you say, or even what you do, but whether you know him. Entering eternal life with Jesus is not like a job interview where our CV (resume for any American readers!) is examined to see whether we've made it. The people described in these verses are doing a lot of things, and doing them in Jesus' name. They've got a way better CV than the one I could present to Jesus, but he sends them away because he doesn't know them. Christianity is not a job interview but a party, where what matters is whether you know the host. I wouldn't show up for a wedding reception of a couple of complete strangers, expecting them to let me in if I presented them with a list of how great a guest I've been at other parties. But I would expect to get into a part when I know the host.

Are you doing churchy stuff and talking churchy language without knowing the one for whom the church exists?

undercover wolves

Matthew 7:15

beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

To beware of false prophets is a common warning in the bible but are we actually doing it? It seems like we are aware of the possibility of false prophets in theory but don't really expect to encounter them, even though the bible says that it's almost certain that we will. To beware is to be on the look out for them - it's not a witch hunt but it does mean that we try to evaluate  what people are saying.

These wolves look like sheep. If they looked like wolves there wouldn't be much of a problem. If they came along teaching crazy stuff it wouldn't be much of a problem because we'd probably notice. The danger is that they will seem plausible, they will seem attractive, what they are saying will sound like something that we want to be true. Jesus pulls no punches, they are ravenous wolves and we are in danger.

How should we go about this, the Bereans in Acts 17:11 give a good example:

Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

They weren't accusing everyone of being a false prophet - they listened to the message with eagerness. But they weren't just taking Paul's word for it - they examined the scriptures every day to see if he was telling the truth

going with the crowd

Matthew 7:13-14

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

The opinion of the crowd is powerful. We tend to think that whatever most people do is most likely to be the right thing, whatever the majority of people think is probably correct. If it's suggested that we might be wrong on something we take comfort in the fact that many others believe/do the same thing so we're probably ok. But what if the majority is wrong? What if the popular view that there can't just be one way to God is untrue? What if the common idea that trying to be a good person will keep God onside is a massive mistake?

The truth of a particular statement does not depend on the number of people who agree with it. Look for truth, but don't just go along with the crowd.

a loving father

Matthew 7:9-11

Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

We do not have to persuade God to be good to us. He is a loving Father who loves to give good gifts. Even as sinners, we care for and provide for our children so we can expect God to do that but in a perfect way that we could never achieve. So, if we think God is withholding something for us, it's likely to be for the same reasons you might withhold something from a child - when it is in their best interests. The child may be upset at the time, but the parent knows more about the bigger picture. God knows our needs better than we do and can be trusted.

the golden rule

Matthew 7:12

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the prophets.

Everybody, Christian or not, seems to love this verse - the golden rule. Everybody thinks that if we all just did this then the world would be a better place. That is true but the problem is that we all think that we are following it and the problem lies with other people. Too often we have twisted the golden rule into a selfish version that's more about what others should be doing than me - "other people should treat me the way that I (think I) treat others". Jesus gives this command to you to think about your own behaviour, not to be the golden rule police for others.

Or maybe we try to follow a negative version of the rule - "don't treat others in a way that you wouldn't like to be treated" - so don't steal, murder etc because you wouldn't like that doing to you. Jesus wants more - you are to treat others the way that you wish you treated - this is positive and requires initiative and positive action rather than just the absence of negative action - you like to be loved so love others, you like to be appreciated so appreciate others, you like others to be generous to you so be generous to them.

Don't look straight to the golden speck in your brother's eye but examine the golden log in your own.

don't judge me

 Matthew 7:1-5

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, "Let me take the speck out of your eye" when  there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

"Don't judge" is probably the most quoted verse in the bible. We use it to excuse anything. We see it as the ultimate defense to any criticism. Reading this verse in context, we see that it is not about never making a judgement about anything or anybody[1] but about hypocritical judgement - judging others while letting yourself off the hook.

We do this all the time. We are quick to see other people's faults but ignore our own. We are outraged that someone else has committed a particular sin but we justify our own. We criticise others and expect them to change but bristle at any criticism we receive or any suggestion something needs to change in our own life.

This isn't new - Calvin observed the same thing:

We see how all flatter themselves, and every man passes a severe censure on others. This vice is attended by some strange enjoyment: for there is hardly any person who is not tickled with the desire of inquiring into other people’s faults...This depraved eagerness for biting, censuring, and slandering, is restrained by Christ, when he says, Judge not. It is not necessary that believers should become blind, and perceive nothing, but only that they should refrain from an undue eagerness to judge

Jesus instructions are not about never confronting sin, or about needing to be blameless before doing it. It is about being more concerned about our own sin than the sin of somebody else. It is about looking at ourselves more than we look at others. Life in the Christian community should include rebuke, confession and repentance but that doesn't work with people who are eager to criticise. It is supposed to take place between people who are aware of their own sin and so approach each other humbly.




[1] 1 - that would be impossible 2 - Jesus tells us to be discerning (Matt7:6) - which involves making a judgement 3 - Jesus instructs us how to address sin in others lives (Matt 18:15-17) - which also involved making a judgement

anxiety

You're anxious about something. What is it?

Matthew 6:25-30

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith. Therefore do not be anxious, saying "What shall we eat?" or "what shall we drink?" or "what shall we wear?" For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Jesus tells you not to be anxious!

• v1"therefore" - the command to not worry is related to what he has been saying previously. We will be anxious if we are focused on storing up earthly treasure. We will be anxious if we are serving the god of money, or even trying to serve money and God (as if that was possible). Peace will be found in serving God with our eyes fixed on our eternal life with Him.
• Don't be anxious because God is concerned about the needs of the birds, and pays attention to the grass in the field, and he is more bothered about you than them! (v26)

• Don't be anxious because it doesn't work. You can't extend your life by anything, including worry. God is in charge of your survival (v27)
• Do not be anxious because life is about more than survival (v25). Is a long life of worrying your goal?
• Do not be anxious but have faith in God instead (v30). He can be trusted.

• Do not be anxious because God knows your needs (v32). He knows them far better than you do.
• Do not be anxious because anxiety is a pagan mindset (v32) - always wondering if you've done enough, wondering if God is in a good mood. The Christian mindset is confident - we know we haven't done enough but we know what mood God is in!

• Do not be anxious but seek God before all the other things that are the subject of our anxiety (v33) "Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither". cs Lewis
• Do not be anxious because there's enough stuff going on today that needs our attention rather than worrying about tomorrow (v34). Are we so concerned with what might happen in the future that life is passing us by? Are we worrying our life away?

money is a rubbish god

Money makes a rubbish God. Acquiring "stuff" is not worth devoting your life to. Why? Jesus gives a few reasons in Matthew 6:

• It doesn't last. You'll want an upgrade to your new phone this time next year. Your car is losing value as you read this. Your house will need money spending on it to stop it falling apart (v19)
• It can be taken from you in an instant. (v19 and see Luke 12:16-21)
• It messes everything up. (v22-23) If your focus (eye) is fixed on created things rather than the Creator, then  everything else gets messed up (darkness fills the house). Relationships, work, families, every aspect of your life will be negatively affected because your primary concern is getting more stuff.
• It will enslave you. Money wont be serving you, you'll be it's slave, sacrificing your time and effort for more of it, despite the fact that it never fulfills it's promise to satisfy (v24)

On the other hand, a disciple of Jesus finds life that is everlasting, that can not be taken away, that brings every aspect of life into it's proper place and a master that fulfills all his promises

two masters

Matthew 6:24

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

We try to serve two (or more) masters all the time. We think we can do it by dividing up our lives. Serve God in this section. Serve money in this section - although we would never say it like that, it would be something about needing to work longer hours to pay the mortgage, or talking about "needing" that new phone. The problem is that the "masters" will eventually come into conflict and whichever one you're truly serving will win. So we claim to be serving God but our giving to church is the first thing to get cut if our financial situation changes. We see somebody in need but are not willing to do anything to help that would impact our standard of living. Money wants your entire devotion, it wants your life. Jesus wants your entire devotion, He wants your life. Money will enslave you - you think it's serving you but you're the one making sacrifices for it. But to have Jesus as your Master is to find real life.

Am I a hypocrite?

In Mathew 6:1-18, Jesus talks about what it means to be a hypocrite using three examples: giving, praying and fasting. He makes it clear that they are giving to the needy in order to be praised by others. They are praying publicly so that others will hear them. They are fasting so that others will see their devotion and sacrifice. Their actions may indicate worship of God but their motivation has little to do with him, it is primarily concerned with their own reputation.

Am I like them? Am I a hypocrite? Jesus contrasts the public show of the hypocrites with the "secret" worship of the disciple. This is not about no one ever knowing that you pray but about how your private and public life match up:

• Do others think I'm more generous than I actually am?
• Do I have a reputation for being "spiritual" that does not exist when I'm on my own?
• Would I be as willing to serve if no one ever knew what I'd done?

why pray?

Matthew 5:8b

.. your Father knows what you need before you ask him

If God already knows what I need, then what's the point of praying? That question seems to make sense but it probably reveals a misunderstanding of the fundamental nature of prayer. If prayer is simply a transaction, with God knowing what I need and going to provide, then there is probably little point in praying. But prayer isn't a transaction, it's a conversation with our Father. I regularly borrow tools from my dad and he is always happy to give them to me, but my interaction with him consists of far more than me turning up at his house, saying "pressure washer", him handing it over and me walking away. Prayer is not about the end result, it's about the person you're praying to - your Father in heaven.

praying to impress

Matthew 6:5-8

And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward . But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

When you pray, are you trying to impress God. When you pray, are you trying to impress others?

The Pharisees made themselves the centre of attention when they were praying. Is that what you are trying to do? It could take two different forms. Maybe you try to create a good impression of yourself by praying eloquently, emotionally or at length. Or maybe you try to avoid creating a bad impression by just keeping your mouth shut. The same pride and self-concern motivates both the show-off and the person refusing to pray if others are present. It's not about whether we speak or not but our motivation that matters

Also, our prayer does not impress God. You do not have to try to create a good impression with God by the way you pray or the words you say ("heaping up empty phrases"). God's response to your prayer is not dependent on what you said, how you said it or how many times you said it.

Jesus likens prayer to a child talking to their father. A child approaches their father in conversation freely. Maybe it's a long conversation or maybe it's short. Maybe it's eloquent or maybe it wouldn't make much sense if it was written down. Maybe other people hear maybe they don't. The child knows that whether the father listens or not is not dependent on the form of the conversation. 

It's the same with us. Our prayer does not make us acceptable before God. Jesus does.

look at me, look at me

Matthew 6:1

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

If we are living lives empowered by the Holy Spirit, showing signs of the counter-cultural attitudes that Jesus describes, then it is inevitable that people will see and notice. Jesus' warning here is that about behaving "righteously" in front of people in order to be seen by them. Are we turning the other cheek out of love and mercy or because it will impress someone else? Are we going the extra mile as a response to the grace God has shown us or because we think that's what we should do? Are we really serving ourselves when it appears that we are serving God and others? The actions may be exactly the same in both cases but God sees our motivation. It is possible to resist God's grace by disobeying him but it is also possible to resist God's grace by following the rules and relying on our own performance.

There is no reward from God for self-serving service. He is not impressed by token generosity or superficial love. He looks at the heart, and shows mercy to those who recognise they need it. His mercy sets us free to serve him without thinking about what we can get out of it.