Sunday morning I had a chat with my 10-year old cousin, Caleb. He wanted to bring his cell phone into church and I didn’t think it was a good idea. I was 10 once and he sometimes forgets that. I explained there was no reason he would need his phone and it would be just fine left in the car. I then went on to explain that the only reason I bring mine into church is to take sermon notes. All was settled, so I thought.
I sat absorbing the sermon and typing notes on my iPhone. Then something struck me that I wasn’t sure about. I decided to text my friend sitting two seats from me to ask her a question about something the pastor had just said. I was immediately convicted with that morning’s previous conversation in my mind, but I justified it. I’m asking a question about the sermon. It should be fine.
As soon as I hit the send button, I knew I was a hypocrite. I didn’t practice what I had just preached an hour earlier to someone who looked up to me. Not only that, but I even wrote a blog post in May to share with others how to honor our pastors.
H Y P O C R I T E !
So, I had to eat my words. I told Caleb what I had done and then we had a conversation about the word hypocrite. He forgave me, of course and a lesson was learned. All was well and the day went on. Though I accepted the forgiveness from Jesus, the memory is still fresh in my mind – a reminder that we have to constantly practice what we preach.
Have you experienced this? Comment below…
You are so great at reminding me to work on this. Your transparency rocks!
thank you.
You is welcome. 🙂
Yes! I find myself ordering my little brother around when it comes to morality and responsibility, but I’m often not willing to live up to the same standards. He is completely justified in resenting me for that. One of the reasons that I’m working hard to stop being a hypocrite is because hypocrisy destroys relationships.
You’re right. The Pharisees were hypocrites and had no interest in a relationship with Jesus. Hard to believe we can quickly find ourselves in the same shoes as them.
Oh that’s a rough one but you are so gracious to share with us and before that to go back to him and ask forgiveness. I eat humble pie so often with my kids that I get disgusted by myself but God uses me to teach them. Boy do I wish he’d pick someone else sometimes. 😉
My husband said one day that I’m more humble than him. I laughed because in my mind that just means I’ve made WAY more mistakes. At least the type that people see. 🙁 Thank God he uses even our oops’.
Came from Michael Hyatt’s blog to say hi!
Jessie, Thanks for stopping by.
1. LOVE the wisdom that Michael Hyatt offers.
2. I eat humble pie often as well, but you’re right. He uses our oops’ many times to teach us, and others about His grace and mercy.
Guess it just goes to show you that we are all imperfect people. We can only work every day to be better people and fail forward as John Maxwell so eliquently writes.
Love John Maxwell!
Way too often, SundiJo. I’m thankful His mercies are new every morning.
Daphne
Yes.. Me too.