Have you ever noticed a person putting up a front and pretending they have a personality or trait contrary to their true character? This is aggravating, because we often know (or soon find out) the real person is completely different. Imagine how God feels when He sees us doing the same. No matter how much we try to conceal from men what lies beneath the polished exterior, we cannot hide the truth from God, Who sees us as we really are. For this reason, hypocrisy in any form is a blatant lie against God.

The Apostle Peter had pulled down the framework of the Law to preach justification by grace apart from works. There was a problem, however. In practice, he would often retreat into the performance-based observance of the Law—all within the course of a meal. Peter, a Jew, would heartily eat steak and potatoes with Gentile Christians—until some Jews showed up. Then he would quietly slip away because he didn’t want to offend the Jewish Christians. This caused some believers to be led astray.

Are you aware that your actions are influencing others? Double standards in our lives may lead some away from accepting Christ, bringing to naught our testimony for Him. As Christians, we need to make certain our walk is carefully aligned with our talk. May we desire to be found “blameless and harmless, the sons of God.”