So I also have made you despised
and abased before all the people, just as you are not keeping My ways
but are showing partiality in the instruction.
Malachi 2:9 New American Standard
Bible 1995
In God’s rebuke of the priests, one of the things He had against them was their partiality in instruction. They picked and chose what they would teach the people and what they themselves obeyed instead of teaching the whole truth and living in a godly manner. Because of that, God made them lowly in the sight of the people. He humiliated them.
Eventually our hearts, sins and true selves show through. We can’t hide our hypocrisy, lies, or pet sins forever. Leaders of the church need to be especially careful how they live and be open about their faults and short comings rather than trying to hide them. Yet, every Christian is considered part of the “royal priesthood” so it applies to all believers. This is evident in how unbelievers respond to the way we live and what we say. They know far sooner than we do how our actions portray our faith. Do we live the same on Wednesday as we do on Sunday? Do we hound one scripture or teaching, and yet ignore or gloss over others? It is so important that we handle the truth accurately and live in a way that honors God. We cannot afford to worry about what others want us to do because every one has a different opinion and those change regularly. We need to focus on God and the truth, living in a way that pleases Him and leaving the results up to God. If we live for ourselves, do just enough good to get by, or compromise the truth to please people eventually it will catch up with us and expose our errors.
Do you justify sin? Do you pick and choose what verses you will read/teach/obey? Do you live to glorify God or yourself? Ask God to reveal where you need to grow, what you need to let go of, and what needs to change. Then do what needs to be done before you become despised and abased before all the people. Teach the truth, but go that way yourself, too.
sorry, no video today.
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