I recently read an interview of a famous rock musician who is known for putting on shows that appear to be something taken right out of a horror movie. I was surprised to read that this man devoutly professes Christ, prays and reads Scripture daily, faithfully attends church and is not ashamed of sharing his faith with his non-believing friends. However, his concerts do not reflect the righteous God he claims to follow and so he is frequently labeled a hypocrite.

In the book of Titus, the people of Crete were, like many of us, finding that old habits die hard. Titus was struggling to help the young believers see the connection between their new belief in God and the way they lived. So, Paul sent Titus this letter to encourage his ministry while at the same time being very straight-forward as to how a Christian should live. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he also set this point straight when he said, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.²

Hypocrisy is a disconnect between your stated beliefs and your behavior. It’s claiming to love Jesus while consistently acting in the opposite manner. Those who love Jesus seek to reflect God’s righteousness. Christians are accused of hypocrisy a lot; of talking the talk, but not walking the walk. It’s easy for us to dismiss such accusations as unfair persecution; sometimes, they certainly are. It’s important that we don’t mistakenly believe that we are above hypocrisy. It is important that we don’t say we believe in a Biblical moral code and then practice something else entirely in real life. What are your actions reflecting today? Are they bringing light to a dark world or keeping the world in the dark about the Light that is Jesus? It is said that our actions speak louder than words. Let’s take advantage of the spotlight on our life’s stage to proclaim Christ with our actions as well as our words!

Suggested Prayer: Dear Lord, I don’t want my testimony of You to be confusing to those who hear it. Give me the wisdom to discern what brings You glory and what brings you shame. Allow my life to shine on any stage you place me. In Jesus’ Holy name, Amen.

1.    Titus 1:16a (NIV).

2.    2 Corinthians 5:17.

Today’s Encounter was written by: Veronica B.