Hypocrites Repeat Mistakes
The wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies. They dig a pit to trap others and then fall into it themselves. -- Psalm 7:14-15
She holds herself up as a righteous woman. She casts a haughty glance down at the sinners who surround her. She spends her days watching preachers and teachers on television. She reads her Bible daily.
And yet she sins. Adultery haunts her past. And her present. She can’t seem to get beyond the desire for something different. To be someone else.
Her choices tend toward users. She feels in control as she spends money on her lovers. They stay until the money is gone and then so are they. She is alone…again. Except for the husband who has finally had enough.
She has forgiven herself and tells all who listen that God has forgiven her. Still, she is a hypocrite. Because she refuses to extend the same grace she claims to those around her.
Most days I understand that this arrogance of faith really comes from a deep rooted insecurity. She and her siblings were abused children and all have carried scars into adulthood. It isn’t an excuse but certainly explains how someone so aloof could give themselves away so freely.
Why do some people think that forgiven sin doesn’t matter anymore? Refusing to step up, to make amends, to admit wrong, only means that she hasn’t really taken responsibility. She’s keeping her sin at a distance, pretending that it has gone away. Until she does it again. And again.
It isn’t just this woman. And it isn’t just adultery. A friend’s son is once again in prison on a drug conviction. His first conviction came with plenty of excuses and blame. He wanted help but couldn’t get it so he robbed a store so he could get help.
He never accepted responsibility for what he’d done. It wasn’t his fault he was a drug addict. It wasn’t his fault he’d robbed a store. Nothing was his fault. He got out of jail and it wasn’t long before he was right back again. Still blaming anyone but himself for his own actions.
God offers us mercy and grace. He extends forgiveness when we repent and ask. But He expects us to learn and grown from where we’ve been so that we won’t repeat the same mistakes again and again.
We are all sinners. We all fall down. Don’t hold yourself up as superior to others and don’t blame other people for your own actions. Accept responsibility and ask God for strength, wisdom and guidance to keep you from making the same mistakes again.
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