SEEK DAILY (NBC) DEVOTIONAL FOR SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 : TOPIC – AVOID HYPOCRISY

By | September 30, 2022

SEEK DAILY (NBC) DEVOTIONAL FOR SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 : TOPIC – AVOID HYPOCRISY

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SEEK DAILY (NBC)

AVOID HYPOCRISY

Date: Friday, September 30, 2022

Bible Text: Matthew 6:16-18

Memory Verse: ‘When you fast, do not look sombre as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.’ Matthew 6:16, NIV

“I would be very disappointed if one of our team members did that,” a cricket player said, referring to a South African cricketer who cheated in a game in 2016. But just two years later, that same player was caught in an almost similar scandal. It was a matter of time, and that player’s hypocrisy was revealed.

Jesus addressed the issue of man-centered fasting practiced by hypocrites and then prescribed God-centered fasting. The word hypocrites was a reference to the Greek actors who played their parts in drama behind masks. Therefore, a hypocrite is one who deceives by masking their true motives. Like actors, the hypocrites go around with disfigured faces while fasting and appear miserable to impress people. Jesus warns that the praise of men will be our only reward if we fast the wrong way.

When you are fasting, don’t act like a hypocrite. Instead, behave normal and focus on God alone. The purpose of fasting is to demonstrate humility and give full concentration on God. When you fast, take care of your appearance so that men don’t know you are fasting, and then you will receive a reward from God.

Insight: A true fast must be God-centered and void of any motive for impressing people.

Prayer: O LORD Evacuate from my life any hypocritical tendency that prevents me from serving you in truth.

RBT Passage: Zechariah 11-14

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