INTRODUCTION

Though hypocrites strongly desire the praise of men, they are not often willing to work hard to obtain that praise. They stoop to tactics such as attacking others in order to elevate themselves. This truth is illustrated in the prayer of the Pharisee found in Luke 18:11-13 [11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. [12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. [13] And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
See All.... While the Pharisee was busy thanking the Lord that he was not wicked like the publican, the publican was busy confessing to God how wicked he was. In order to exalt himself, the Pharisee determined it was necessary to destroy his neighbour with the words of his mouth. This practice is old, but it is certainly not dying, as many today inflate their own pride or station by destroying others.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Judas complained that the expensive ointment Mary used to anoint Jesus should have been sold and the money given to the poor. In reality, Judas cared nothing for the poor; he was a thief (John 12:1-8 [1] Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. [2] There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. [3] Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. [4] Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, [5] Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, 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 bag, and bare what was put therein. [7] Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. [8] For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
  See All...).
• Have you ever sought to destroy others so that you could be exalted in the mind of God or man? Did you find that this bothered your conscience?
• Did the Pharisee gain any favour with God by destroying the publican? How did the publican gain favour with God and go away justified?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to help you edify others with your mouth.
• Ask God to show you your own hypocrisy.

HYMN

Take Time to Be Holy

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