AUGUST 11
scripture reading: Matthew 15:1–9

What a Bunch of Fakes!

The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people.” (Luke 18:11. NASB)

Not long ago when Katy and I were travelling, we found ourselves in a motel room with a television that had hundreds of channels. Because we had only a few channels on our television at home, I found myself surfing through the plethora of options before us. What caught our attention that night, however, were the religious programs being offered. One after another we paused to see what America was learning about God through the medium of television.

On one channel was a pretty preacher dressed in a silk suit. He oozed wealth, success, fashion and celebrity. Frankly, the platform of the church and the persons on it looked more like the Academy Awards than a service of worship. “God can fix all your problems and make you healthy, wealthy, and happy . . . like me,” he seemed to say.

Changing channels, I listened as a rather rotund woman with big hair and indus trial-strength mascara sang praises to the Lamb of God. With eyes closed and hands raised high, she said she wanted us to focus on the Lord Jesus . . . but all I could see was her.

Another channel allowed us to watch a funeral service for a young girl who had been kidnapped and killed in California. The story had captured national attention and her funeral was being held in one of the major “evangelical” churches of our country. As we watched, speakers from a wide range of religious traditions (Muslim, Jewish, Christian Science, etc.) came to the pulpit and shared some words, then lit a candle. I stayed on this station longer than the others, assuming that the pastor of the church would come and give a clear word from the Gospel. Alas, we waited in vain. In this evangelical church, Jesus was hardly mentioned.

One final zap of the remote took us to a Texas arena filled with thousands of people. The man with the microphone had glassy eyes that made me almost wonder if he was in a trance. His voice and demeanor were mesmerizing as he reached the climax of the service. Placing his hands on people’s heads they were instantly “slain in the Spirit” and fell to the floor.

Turning off the television in disgust, I said smugly to Katy, “What a bunch of fakes!” As we turned out the light I prayed silently, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people.” As I tried to go to sleep, the Holy Spirit gently but firmly began to reveal to me the trap into which I had fallen. Assuming that I was holier than others was a posture that revealed the hidden cancer of hypocrisy deep in my own soul!

O Lord Jesus, have mercy on ME ! What a fake, what a pretender, what a hypocrite I am. I am the one most in need of your grace, Lord Jesus, because I am the one most tainted by self-absorption, egocentrism and pious hypocrisy. Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy on me. Amen.

We have met the enemy and he is us.
—Pogo (comic strip by cartoonist walt kelly)

point to ponder • Why is it so easy to see hypocrisy in others yet so difficult to see it in ourselves?

prayer focus • “God, be merciful to me a sinner.”