As Halloween season is here and with that comes the opportunity to dress up in costumes and masks to pretend to someone or something we normally aren't. Halloween is fun for both kids and adults (at least some adults!) But if we are honest, wouldn't we have to admit that Halloween isn't the only time we wear masks. Some of us wear masks in our daily lives. Jesus talked about wearing masks.
In Matthew 23:25-28, Jesus addressed a group of Pharisees. Repeated he calls them "Hypocrites!" In Scripture, the word translated hypocrite is the same word we would use for actor. Someone who plays a part. The Pharisees wanted to appear more religious/spiritual than they actually were. Because they were pretending, Jesus called them out on it.
But why do we wear masks today? I think there are a few reasons. 1) Fear- We are afraid that people won't really like us if they see the real us. So we wear a mask. 2) Avoidance - It is easier to pretend to be something I am not than to deal with my flaws and hurts. 3) Acceptance - I can wear whatever mask is necessary to fit in with the right crowd. As you can see from the list, not one compelling or good reason to wear a mask.
So how do we remove the masks? 1) Be honest with yourself. The root of hypocrisy is pride, a desire to have others see you better than you actually are. We need to get over ourselves, reject the lie of society that image is everything and get real about who we are on the inside. In the story of the Pharisee and tax collector in Luke 18:9-14, Jesus tells us that the tax collector, the one with a honesty self-perception, is the one who went away justified. 2) Learn to be transparent. Don't be so afraid to let people see and get to know the real you. They might just like you for you. 3) Be honest with God. God sees and knows us from the inside out. There is no point in trying to hide reality from God. He knows it and loves us anyway. So be honest with Him.
Masks can be fun to wear (and scare people) at Halloween. But if not taken off soon after, can cause us problems in our lives.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday Night Recap - The Masks We Wear
As Halloween season is here and with that comes the opportunity to dress up in costumes and masks to pretend to someone or something we normally aren't. Halloween is fun for both kids and adults (at least some adults!) But if we are honest, wouldn't we have to admit that Halloween isn't the only time we wear masks. Some of us wear masks in our daily lives. Jesus talked about wearing masks.
In Matthew 23:25-28, Jesus addressed a group of Pharisees. Repeated he calls them "Hypocrites!" In Scripture, the word translated hypocrite is the same word we would use for actor. Someone who plays a part. The Pharisees wanted to appear more religious/spiritual than they actually were. Because they were pretending, Jesus called them out on it.
But why do we wear masks today? I think there are a few reasons. 1) Fear- We are afraid that people won't really like us if they see the real us. So we wear a mask. 2) Avoidance - It is easier to pretend to be something I am not than to deal with my flaws and hurts. 3) Acceptance - I can wear whatever mask is necessary to fit in with the right crowd. As you can see from the list, not one compelling or good reason to wear a mask.
So how do we remove the masks? 1) Be honest with yourself. The root of hypocrisy is pride, a desire to have others see you better than you actually are. We need to get over ourselves, reject the lie of society that image is everything and get real about who we are on the inside. In the story of the Pharisee and tax collector in Luke 18:9-14, Jesus tells us that the tax collector, the one with a honesty self-perception, is the one who went away justified. 2) Learn to be transparent. Don't be so afraid to let people see and get to know the real you. They might just like you for you. 3) Be honest with God. God sees and knows us from the inside out. There is no point in trying to hide reality from God. He knows it and loves us anyway. So be honest with Him.
Masks can be fun to wear (and scare people) at Halloween. But if not taken off soon after, can cause us problems in our lives.
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