As a mentor and role model, I speak of
Character and Reputation.
Reputation is what the public knows and thinks
of us. Character is what we know and think about ourselves, (and what God knows
to be true); based on the thoughts and actions of which only we, as
individuals, are aware.
Based on what we know to be true, and others
believe to be true: 1. One can have a good reputation, but a poor character. 2.
One can have a good character, but a poor reputation. 3. One can have a good
reputation and a good character. 4. One can have a poor character and a poor
reputation. (Of course, we strive for the third option, but if we are left with
the second, God knows the truth and justifies us).
We who are growing in sanctification or
Christian Character have an innate desire to please God, and allow the Holy
Spirit to refine our thoughts and behavior. We are sensitive to sin, and
"take the first avenue of escape" when we are tempted. We follow
after the plans God dreamed for us before He made the worlds. We emulate
Christ, take up His cross, die to self, and follow after Him. We desire to
replicate ourselves among the next generation. We have made a pre-meditated
decision to cooperate with God.
As I understand it, the Greek connotation for
Hypocrite is one who wears a mask.
While they "walk among us," they are
easily tempted, and are double-minded in all their ways. They are not
"taken up" with the plans of God, and their love for Him has cooled;
if there was ever any warmth about it. They are selfish and introspective, and
dying to self is the last thing on their minds. They have not made an
"etched in stone" decision to do the right thing and please the Lord.
They live for today, and are content to let tomorrow take care of itself. They
like to be seen and known for their piety, but their character is dark and imperfect.
Relevant scriptures:
"Thou hypocrite. First cast the beam out
of your own eye, and then will you see clearly to cast the speck out of your
brother's eye." Matthew 7:5
"For there is nothing covered which will
not be revealed; neither hid which shall not be known." Luke 12:2
"The good that I wish to do, I do not.
The evil which I ought to avoid is what I find myself doing." Romans 7:19
"They profess
they know God, but they deny Him with their works; being abominable, and
disobedient, and reprobate unto all good works." Titus 1:16
"A double-minded
man is unstable in all his ways." James 1:8
"If any man is in Christ, He is a new
creation. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things have become new."
2nd Cor. 5:17
"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord urge
you to walk worthy of the vocation to which you are called." Eph. 4:1
"Take off the old man (mindset). Put on
the new man (mindset)". Eph. 4:22,24
"Filling up in my own body the unfinished
sufferings of Christ." Col. 1:24
"As long as we are confessing our sins,
He goes right on forgiving our sins, and continually cleanses us from all
unrighteousness." 1st John 1:9
I hope this is helpful.
Blessings
dr. bill
by William McDonald, PhD. 2018. Response to an intern.
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