INTRODUCTION

The hypocrite lives for the present by seeking his reward from the praise of man (Matthew 6:2Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
See All...). He finds his greatest joy only when men shower him with the praise he so desperately seeks. According to scripture, this joy is only temporary. As soon as the hypocrite does something to gain the praise of man, he becomes jealous as he sees others accomplish greater feats. When the hypocrite loses man’s attention and praise, he becomes distraught and seeks more aggressive ways to win men’s lost admiration. Only those ignorant of God’s ways would want to live such a horrible existence! This life yields no lasting peace or joy which is the very outcome offered by God for those who live for Him and love Him. For the hypocrite, nothing remains constant. His standard is always changing and bar ever raising while the faithful Christian joyfully seeks to please the never-changing God (Malachi 3:6For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
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DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Haman was promoted by king Ahasuerus but lived miserably inside because Mordecai refused to praise him (Esther 3:1-2 [1] After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. [2] And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.
  See All...; Esther 5:11-13 [11] And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. [12] Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. [13] Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.
  See All...). He reaped what he sowed when his wicked plan to kill Mordecai turned against him (Esther 7:10So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.
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• (For everyone): Do you have lasting joy? Are you constantly trying to gain the admiration of others? Whom are you ultimately supposed to live to please?
• What are some other reasons why the joy of a hypocrite might only last for a moment of time? How is this different from the joy of the believer as noted in Psalm 16:11Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
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PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to give you lasting joy.
• Ask God to show you when you are acting the hypocrite’s part.

HYMN

JOY UNSPEAKABLE

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