DRAWING NEAR
MAY 29
The Characteristics of Hypocrisy
The twelve apostles included "Judas Iscariot, the one who
betrayed Him" (Matt. 10:4).
On a recent trip to New Zealand I learned that sheepherders
there use specially trained castrated male sheep to lead other sheep
from holding areas into the slaughtering room. Those male sheep are
appropriately called "Judas sheep." That illustrates the commonness
with which we associate Judas with deception and death. Pretending to
be a friend of Jesus, Judas betrayed him with a kiss and became for
all time and eternity the epitome of hypocrisy.
Several characteristics of spiritual hypocrisy are clearly evident in
Judas's life. First, hypocritical people often seem genuinely
interested in a noble cause. Judas probably didn't want the Romans to
rule over Israel and he saw in Christ an opportunity to do something
about it. He probably had the common misconception that Jesus was
immediately going to establish His earthly kingdom and put down Roman
oppression.
Second, hypocritical people demonstrate an outward allegiance to
Christ. Many of those who followed Jesus in the early stages of His
ministry deserted Him along the way (John 6:66). Not Judas. He stayed
to the end.
Third, hypocritical people can appear to be holy. When Jesus told the
disciples that one of them would betray Him, none of them suspected
Judas. Even after Jesus identified Judas as His betrayer, the other
disciples still didn't understand (John 13:27-29). Judas must have
put on a very convincing act!
Fourth, hypocritical people are self-centered. Judas didn't love
Christ--He loved himself and joined the disciples because he thought
he could gain personal prosperity.
Finally, hypocritical people are deceivers. Judas was a pawn of
Satan, whom Jesus described as a liar and the father of lies (John
8:44). Is it any wonder that his whole life was one deception after
another?
Judas was an unbeliever, but hypocrisy can also thrive in believers
if its telltale signs are ignored. That's why you must guard your
motives carefully, walk in the Spirit each day, and immediately
confess even the slightest hint of hypocrisy.
Suggestions for Prayer:
Ask God to purify your love for Him and to protect you from the
subtle inroads of hypocrisy.
For Further Study:
Read John 12:1-8.
How did Mary demonstrate her love for Christ? What objection
did Judas raise? What was his motive?
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
John 6:66
66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with
Him no more.
John 13:27-29
27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said
to him, "What you do, do quickly."
28 But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him.
29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had
said to him, "Buy those things we need for the feast," or that he
should give something to the poor.
John 8:44
44 "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father
you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not
stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks
a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the
father of it.
John 12:1-8
12:1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany,
where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the
dead.
2 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was
one of those who sat at the table with Him.
3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed
the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house
was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
4 Then 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.
7 But Jesus said, "Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of
My burial.
8 "For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have
always."
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
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In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase@wowway.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
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