Luke 12:1-2 Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, with its hypocrisy. Nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing is secret that will not be made known.
Be on guard against hypocrisy. Hypocrisy, like yeast, may seem small, but it will corrupt the whole. Secret thoughts or actions that introduce the cancer of hypocrisy into our lives don’t have to be as severe as adultery or hatred to render our lives ineffective. In Luke 11, Jesus had just rebuked the Pharisees for tithing on every possession (even their herbs), yet neglecting the more important things like justice or the love of God. The danger of an outward facade of righteousness, which masks our sin or our neglect of God’s ways, often prevents us from having the motivation to repent.
Be on guard! Jesus gave a stern warning to His disciples regarding this yeast of self-deception. At the same time, He knew that they needed a powerful serum to overcome the paralyzing venom of hypocrisy. The remedy that Jesus gave His disciples is the light: the fear of the Lord. “Nothing is hidden that will not be revealed. Nothing is secret that will not be made known. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light. What you have whispered in private will be proclaimed from the housetops. Fear God. Yes, I tell you, fear Him.”
If we fear people, we hide our mistakes. If we fear God, we get down to the business of repentance. Hypocrisy lives an outward appearance of righteousness and condemns others. Integrity lives a life in God’s light and mercy – extending that mercy to others as well. If there are any hidden secrets in your life, be done with them now. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you face them and bring them into the light, while His grace is available. Listen to His words. Fear the moment of standing before Your Lord and having those secrets declared in the open – shouted from the rooftop. This may seem harsh, but it is truth. Be free from that hidden life that causes you regret and renders you ineffective. Fear God. Hate hypocrisy. Walk in His marvelous, glorious light.