Phony

<<fake>>

Being a hypocrite by saying one thing but doing another, or giving a different impression from what is reality by being insincere, is to be a sham and not genuine. Scripture calls this “Having a form of godliness but denying its power” (Mt 23:2-4, 25-28; 2 Tim 3:5). Is my faith firmly anchored in Jesus or is it just an appearance? Be warned, the storms of

Is there some area I am not fully honest in?

life, which will affect us all at some time, will reveal the real foundation (Mt 7:24-27; 1 Pet 1:6,7). Will it prove my faith genuine? God’s word is truth, so build your life on it’s principles and a vital relationship with Jesus. If I claim to live in Him, I must walk as Jesus did (1 Jn 2:3-6).

The disciples of the early church at first didn’t believe Paul’s conversion was real, thinking it may have been a trick but his life proved otherwise (Act 9:26,27). His challenge is, “test yourselves” (2 Cor 13:5; Gal 6:4). Is my faith real or false, are my actions appropriate and honourable before God as well as man? Consider or test everything, reject what is not true or valid but take hold of what is good and right (1 Thes 5:21). Are my motives pure or do I have an ulterior plan, hidden behind a mask to conceal? We might be able to deceive others yet we certainly can’t trick God about our real spiritual condition (Heb 4:13).

See also: counterfeit, deception, false, hypocrite, imitate.