Whether or not we set out to be hypocrites, the truth of the matter is that we often are. What we appear to be in church on Sunday morning is sometimes not at all what we are behind closed doors. Psalm 139:12 tells us, “Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.” God sees us in the dark privacy of our homes just as clearly as in the light of the public eye.
What goes on behind our walls that we would not want revealed to the outside world? Are harsh and hateful words spoken by us on a regular basis? Proverbs 15:1 says that, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Do we shout, and fight, and yell at everybody? It is said of the “Proverbs 31 Woman” that, “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” This isn’t a lady who is screaming at her husband and children! Instead, we find her speaking with kindness, and giving wise advice and counsel to those she loves. In the place where others rarely see, the virtuous woman is found “blameless”.
Jesus tells His followers in Mark 3:25, “And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” There needs to be sweet UNION in a home! As the woman of the house, are you building other family members up or tearing them down? Proverbs 14:1 declares, “Every wise woman buildeth her house; but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” We must not tear down what God desires to build through us!
As we walk in the privacy of our home, do we find ourselves spending too much time chatting about other people? I Timothy 5 speaks of ladies who “learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.” In those private moments behind locked doors, do we say things to others ABOUT others, that we would not say in public? Are we ever guilty of GOSSIPING?
Psalm 101:3 declares, “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes . . .” Are we keeping our eye gate from evil during quiet alone times at home? Do we get caught up in inappropriate romance novels and begin to complain about our marriages? Do we Ooo and Aww over handsome actors on television to the point where we are no longer satisfied with our own husbands? Do we make our hearts terrified by watching horrible graphic images, even on the news? Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Even those of us who do not have young child eyes to be concerned over, need to be concerned about what we OURSELVES allow OURSELVES to see and dwell upon!
Psalm 101:2 “I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.” That verse can be such a convicting one! Within our home castles every week, are we found blameless? Are our hearts “perfect” before the Lord even in a place where others do not see?
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