It’s the story of an old man who always carried a small can of oil wherever he went. If he came across a door that squeaked, he would squirt a little oil on the hinges. If he tried to enter a gate that was rusty and hard to open, he would promptly oil the latch. Everywhere the man went, he made it a point to make it easier for those coming after him to open doors that were noisy and gates that were hard to open. Instead of ignoring the hard spots, he made them easier for those who came behind.

He was an ambassador of kindness, healing and helpfulness in a world filled with selfishness, pain and hardship.

The story made me think of difficult people or tough circumstances that we encounter, which tend to incite negative responses from us.

It’s the natural law of cause and effect. If someone is negative and harsh, our normal response is to defend ourselves, fight back, often adding insult to injury. If a situation is difficult, our natural tendency is to fear, act impulsively, or sometimes despair.

But I believe that it is in those hard places that the strength of our spirituality is truly tested.

Not when doors open without a noise, people in our lives are helpful and easygoing, and our days are carefree; but rather, our faith is tested and proven when we meet tough obstacles and negative responses.

It is then that we have an opportunity to measure the strength of our spiritual convictions, or the duplicity of our faith.

“I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.”

The apostle Paul wrote these words in his letter to the Roman church, describing the eternal struggle between the flesh and the spirit, our natural tendencies and our God-given convictions.

In other words, we know how we should react when we face difficult people and circumstances, but often find ourselves doing the very opposite of what we preach.

We know we should not judge others, and yet, we do. We should forgive, then again, we find ourselves sustaining old grudges, holding people hostage to their mistakes.

He calls it a war between the spirit and the flesh, and I believe it is a war indeed.

How many times do we start a conversation with the intention of offering peace, only to find ourselves arguing, raising our voices and saying things that we later regret? How many times do we know that we need to help someone, but out of laziness or lack of time, choose to do nothing at all?

The problem is, because it is a war, we will never win it, unless we make a deliberate decision to tame our flesh and allow God to direct our response. We do that by pausing before reacting, praying before acting, and holding our tongues.

Just as the man in the story, who purposely spread kindness wherever he went, we must make a willful decision to tame our natural responses, thus reflecting in our actions the spiritual truths we preach about.

Religion that stops at the words we speak is useless, ineffective and, worse of all, hypocritical. And unfortunately, we are all guilty of that at some point in time.

Religion that stops at the words we speak is useless, ineffective and, worse of all, hypocritical.
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But in a world filled with rusty gates and squeaky doors, I’d like to be remembered as someone who chose to spread a little oil in the rough places, rising above any natural tendency to speak carelessly, fight ugly, and always win.

This article was published in Patricia’s column for the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Faith & Value Section on Saturday, December 10th.

The post Word-Only Religion = Useless, Ineffective, Hypocritical {Atlanta Journal Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

In one of his publications, titled “Moody’s Anecdotes,” he wrote a provocative story about a picture exhibited in a gallery in London. From a distance, the picture seemed to depict a monk engaged in prayer — his hands clasped, his head bowed. Upon closer examination, however, the reality of the monk’s activity became clear. He wasn’t praying. He was actually squeezing a lemon into a punch bowl.

This illustration presents a timely reflection during this election year, when presidential candidates’ character and integrity have been questionable to an unprecedented extent. Hypocrisy and inconstancy have been hot topics during this presidential race, and we, the voters, are left to wonder whether the “monks” are praying or, indeed, squeezing a lemon in the national picture.

But the presidential elections is only a side note on my column today. It is not my intent to discuss our politicians’ integrity on this commentary, but rather, the natural tendency humans have to exalt their own goodness, often hiding the true condition of their hearts.

I believe Moody’s picture anecdote is an amusing, yet poignant observation that also rightly reflects the hypocritical standing for many people of faith. Superficially observed, many of us have a tendency to appear good, righteous and holy, whereas in reality, the contradiction between our outward appearance and inner reality are only fully known to God, and perhaps immediate family members.

Many tend to value the appearance of goodness more than the truthfulness and transparency of one’s faith. On the outside, we, church-goers, know all the right buzz words, reflections and charitable works needed to give us the appearance of godliness amongst our peers.

We agree to follow rules, look and behave a certain way. We are also quick to judge those who appear not to follow our (often legalistic) decrees. But when we are left alone with our thoughts and actions, it’s not uncommon that they don’t reflect a genuinely charitable and good spirit.

During his time, Jesus called these types of church-goers “whitewashed tombs.” They looked great on the outside – chaste, controlled and wise. But their faith was skin deep and bore no substantial fruit.

These are the good ol’ church folk who won’t miss one Sunday service, but turn their faces away from their unchurched family members. These are Christian friends who slander your name when you are not around. These are gossipers who are quick to spread rumors and denounce pastors, rabbis and other leaders without verifying the facts. These are deacons and Sunday school teachers who turn to pornography when no one is watching.

Like whitewashed tombs, they carry a faith that is dead inside. Their works and appearance are for show, not a reflection of a changed and truly generous heart.

Like whitewashed tombs, many carry a dead faith inside. Their works and appearance are for show. #Hypocrisyinchurch
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We have all been hypocritical at some point in time, but I personally tremble at the thought of hypocritical faith, because I sincerely believe this is one of the foremost reasons many people leave the church. Surrounded by monks who were squeezing lemons while appearing holy, they are exposed to heartless religion, and consequently choose to turn away from God.

May it never be that our words and appearance are found deeper than our faith, lest we become a stumbling block for the world around us, hence living a life of little impact and consequence in the places we were planted.

This article was published in Patricia’s column for the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Faith & Value Section on Saturday, September 17. Patricia is a Christian author, blogger and International speaker. Her Book Twelve Inches is on sale at Barnes & Nobles, Amazon and retailers worldwide. Visit her website www.soaringwithHim.com. For speaking engagements and comments, email pholbrook@soaringwithHim.com

The post The Empty Pew – Is Hypocritical Faith to Blame? {The Atlanta Journal Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.