A Daily Purpose

Bible Study & Devotional 195

Written by: Torrie Slaughter

Guiding Scripture: Romans 2:1, ‘You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.’ 

🔴Self-Deception

Failing to practice what we preach is a controversial topic. According to a research article on cognitive science in Frontiers Psychology, self-deception can allow people to hold a preferred belief, regardless of the truth.”

The Apostle Paul makes the Jewish community face their hypocrisy. Just as he did with the Gentiles in Romans 1, his goal is to impact change. The transformation process begins with acknowledging the errors.
Romans 3:9, “What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin.”

More often than not, we are guilty of the same offenses we accuse others. That is the ‘excusable’ nature of self-deception. To know we’ve committed the same crime(sin) but hold our brothers and sisters to a different scale.
The pretentious nature of our faith walk is in vain if one cannot repent of their hypocrisy.

Condemnation

Romans 2:3, ‘So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?’

God will not excuse our behavior because we have wisdom. His Holy Spirit is an ever-present Helper sent by Jesus Christ. If we say we trust in God, profess with our mouths that we believe in Him, yet continue to judge people according to the sins we commit- how are we following the command to love?

Believers, I pray the burden of guilt takes you to the Lord in prayer. The days are evil, and we do not know the hour Jesus will return. Will He find you struggling in prideful bitterness because you are afraid to humble yourself?

Adjust your goals and ask the Lord to help you stop self-deception. It creates a stumbling block for your neighbor. Be wise and cherish understanding, for, by it, you prove to love life with God.(Proverbs 19:8)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to know your Truth and guide us into understanding. Show us the error of our ways and grind the stumbling blocks into sand that we may lead others to you. Our one purpose in this life is to live authentically for you. Help us thrive with passionate hearts to love as you command. Amen