The opposite of religious hypocrisy is faithful sincerity. With God’s help we want to move from the first category to the second. Not only do we want to say we believe in Jesus, but to think and act like we believe in Jesus.

An important ingredient is humility.

In Mark 7 Jesus speaks with a Gentile woman. She wants help. Her daughter has a demon. Jesus replies with words which at first seem harsh: “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs” (verse 27, ESV). In other words, let the message and grace of God be extended first to the Jews, for it is not right to take what is due to them and give it to non-Jews.

Jesus’ message was indeed shared with the Jews “first.” After that it extended to all people. The apostle Paul carries on the same emphasis in his letters.

But Jesus was making a point. Not only was he testing her, but he was contrasting her humility and sincerity with the Pharisees who had just been arguing with. The Pharisees appeared to have it all together on the outside but didn’t on the inside. The woman, however, didn’t appear to have it all together on the outside but did in fact have it together on the inside. She replied: “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs” (verse 28, ESV).

What humility! She persisted in faith and was rewarded. As a result, Jesus healed her daughter.

People who are willing to yield to God are people who are willing to be changed by God. If we are not willing to yield it might mean that we think we know best. But we cannot be full of God’s Spirit if we are full of ourselves. If we’re believers, God’s Spirit dwells with us, but we are engaging in an internal battle, not letting him lead.

God knows best. 
His word is always true. 
His love is always real. 

When our lives don’t match our beliefs, isn’t that because deep down we would rather do what we want to do instead of what God wants us to do?

So let’s practice humility. We cannot be full of God’s Spirit if we are full of ourselves.

Notes:

–“How can I stop my own hypocrisy?” Sermon. January 19, 2025. Click here.