For the last two weeks, the Gospel of Luke has challenged us with Jesus’s stark warnings about hypocrisy. Below is a summary of Noah & Carson’s preaching points, along with a handful of resources and scripture passages that Carson mentioned may prove helpful in growing a healthy fear of God.
Ten Symptoms of Hypocrisy from Luke 11:37-54
- Hypocrites value cultural traditions over miraculous movements of God. (11:38)
- Hypocrites draw boundaries where God does not. (11:39)
- Hypocrites prefer to give attention to the exterior (what is visible) rather than the interior (what is hidden) (11:40)
- Hypocrites prefer giving things to God over loving Him or doing right by others. (11:42)
- Hypocrites desire to be revered and their rank to be recognized. (11:43)
- Hypocrites subtly contaminate others. (11:44)
- Hypocrites are happy to heap religious weights upon people, while offering no assistance in carrying them. (11:46)
- Hypocrites are unwilling to denounce the past faults of their tribe, and are destined to repeat them. (11:47-48)
- Hypocrites hate to hear the Wisdom of God in Christ. (11:49-51)
- Hypocrites are happy to lead others away from God as long as they get to hold the keys. (11:52)
Five Prescriptions Against Hypocrisy from Luke 12:1-12
- Realize that nothing is really a secret. (12:2-3)
- Recognize Christ as Lord, even when pressure is on. (12:8-12)
- Remain sensitive to the work and word of God in your life. (12:10)
- Replace fear of man with a healthy fear of God. (12:4-5)
- Remember that God deeply values you. (12:6-7)
A few Scriptures to add to your toolkit in fighting fear of man and growing fear of God:
- 1 Samuel 16:7
- Proverbs 19:23
- Proverbs 29:25
- Isaiah 2:22
- Isaiah 40:1-31
- Isaiah 51:7-8
- Isaiah 66:2
- Jeremiah 9:23-24
- Jeremiah 17:5-8
- Matthew 10:28
- John 12:43
- Galatians 1:10
- Colossians 2:10
- Colossians 3:23
- 2 Corinthians 5:9
- 1 Thessalonians 2:4
A few resources to add to your library in growing a healthy fear of God:
- “When People Are Big and God is Small” by Ed Welch
- “What Do You Think of Me and Why Do I Care?” by Ed Welch
- “Disclose or Be Exposed” by Ed Welch (online article)
- “Rejoice and Tremble” by Michael Reeves
- “Evangelical Pharisees” by Michael Reeves
