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The trait I hate most in myself is something that is probably the hardest thing to get rid of--hypocrisy*.
The worst thing about hypocrisy is that it defies reason. Paul said, "...I really want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead I do the very thing I hate." (Romans 8:15)
How can that make sense? I don't do what I want to do. It seems so easy to say,"Oh, yes. I believe thats wrong, but I can't seem to make myself do anything else but that which is wrong."
But that is hypocrisy. For centuries Christians have argued amongst themselves whether it is by faith we are saved or if its by works.
The Bible assures us that we can't do anything to earn our way into heaven, yet it also reminds us that our actions show the condition of our hearts.
This Easter, I'm reminded how far I've fallen astray. Of course I haven't gone out and murdered, but the Bible says that sinning in one way is like sinning in multiple ways, because it defies all that is good and true-the Law.
Like Paul, I don't understand why I can't control myself. Are humans so feeble that we can't control any aspect of our lives?
YES. Without Jesus we become nothing. Our inherent worth as God's creation is lost to sin.
Does this mean that our ability to decide for ourselves is limited. No, it just means that we're prone to make the bad decisions if we don't let Jesus control our lives. That is what we must choose--to give our lives to God.
Humans have a heart condition known as pride. This isn't to be confused with self esteem, though often it is. Pride is the condition of the heart which says, "I don't need God, I can do this by myself."
I am sitting here, typing, confessing with this text, this moment, saying, SHOUTING: "Dear Jesus, I NEED you in my life, in control of every word and deed. Creator, Savior, save me.....from myself!!!"
And of course that is the key to my hypocrisy, as well as yours. Romans 8:25 gives us the Answer, "Thank God! The answer is in Christ Jesus our Lord..."
Most lexographic content is from www.dictionary.com and cites their footnotes.