WE ALL FALL SHORT-Yes, we all fall short at times. Yes we all at times operate out of the flesh. We are broken people. BUT if we claim to be Christ Followers, it should be out of the ordinary that we manifest ungodly behavior. Our lifestyle should be that who we are privately is who we are publicly. (Reputation and character should be the same.) Who we are at church is who we are in public or on Facebook. Our lifestyle should be such that we would not qualify for a Certificate of Hypocrisy.
Hypocrisy
The practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform; pretense; acting of a theatrical part; pretend. Being two-faced would be hypocrisy. Manifesting ungodly behavior and then acting moral to seek a position is a form of hypocrisy. Having secret ungodly alliances can be hypocrisy.
Cope Out
"Everyone falls short", "Nobody is perfect", "I could not help it", "My ungodly behavior is justified" become excuses to willfully sin. It is hypocrisy to claim the name of Christ and to then justify and excuse ungodly behavior. Name calling, mocking, labeling, insinuations, lying, spreading rumors, gossiping, cursing, stirring up strife, ungodly alliances, bitterness, resentment, grudges should not be the ongoing behavior of Christians. It is the taking of the name of Christ in vain.
Repentance
So, yes, we all fall short. But when we do, we repent with no justification for our behavior. If we sin publicly, we repent publicly. We repent not because we have been exposed, but because what we did is wrong.
PRAY
There is certainly hypocrisy going on within all the drama of Fairfield Bay. One can get angry, frustrated, and resort to attacking and becoming a hypocrite themselves or they can pray.
Pray that we do not become hypocrites ourselves. Pray that God will reveal any hypocrisy in our own life, that He will convict us of it, and give us the gift of repentance. Pray that hypocrisy will be exposed for what it is. Pray that the community is not deceived by the hypocrisy of others. Pray that those who are guilty of hypocrisy will repent. Pray that ulterior motives are exposed. Pray that there can be unity in diversity. Pray for godly leaders to lead in Fairfield Bay. Pray for divine strategy to work out the challenges that are unique to Fairfield Bay. Pray for mercy and grace be bestowed upon all. Pray for evil to leave the Bay. All of this should also be praying for the churches of our nation and for our State and Federal government.
STANDING IN THE GAP
Intercessory Prayer
Tuesdays, 4:45pm, Saturdays, 5:30pm
130 Village Pl, Suite 1-F, Fairfield Bay in Towne Center behind Village Market and next to ATV Encounters.
Call 1-866-WANTGOD, 1-866-926-8463, for details or to request prayer.