DCLM Daily Manna 26 April 2023 — Counsel Against Hypocrisy
DCLM Daily Manna 26 April 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Counsel Against Hypocrisy
Click HERE for Previous DCLM Daily Manna by Pastor Kumuyi
TOPIC: Counsel Against Hypocrisy (DCLM Daily Manna 26 April 2023)
KEY VERSE: “And he said unto them in his doctrine, beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces” (Mark 12:38).
TEXT: Mark 12:35-44 (KJV)
35 And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?
36 For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
37 David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.
38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
40 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
DCLM Daily Manna For Today MESSAGE:
The Master’s counsel to His disciples against the leaven of Pharisaic hypocrisy is noteworthy. Jesus knew clearly how damaging hypocrisy and its practice can be in the life of God-seeking believers. In every encounter the Master had with the scribes and Pharisees, He would warn His disciples to distance themselves from the views of these adversaries of Christ. Such expressions as ‘beware…’, and ‘take heed to yourselves…’, are reflective of the warnings to avoid both the teaching and practice of the hypocrites.
Also Read: DCLM Daily Manna 25 April 2023 — Divine Judgement Against Sin
Hypocrisy or duplicity is a self-deluding sin. It defiles, demeans, and devalues a soul before God. It is a tool in the hands of Satan to make a man/woman build his/her hope on sinking sand. The miry ground of self-deception is part of what Jesus would not allow any of His followers to experience. The Master cataloged the hypocritical attitude of the Pharisees and Scribes including gorgeous ceremonial dressing to command respect, receiving religious greetings in public places, seeking the highest seats in the synagogues and social gatherings, and pretentious long prayers while defrauding and defiling widows around them.
The hypocrite must understand “That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?” (Job 20:5). They will not escape God’s judgment unless they repent.
Our God hates hypocrisy. It is the bane of true worship of God and must be avoided by true worshippers at all costs. These are the Lord’s demands from us.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
The hypocrite has the worst career in life – he deceives himself in an attempt to deceive others.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Joshua 1-4
Also Read: Open Heaven 26 April 2023 – Who Is Your Head?
Deeper Life Daily Manna For Today 2023 was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
