They stay in one place and do not travel far.

He ends up even more under judgment than they are.

He becomes spiritually cleaner and more mature than they are.

He is treated as if nothing has really changed.

Care more about real change in the person than about visible success.

Press the person for a quick decision so the group can count another success.

Treat being associated with the right circle as proof that the work is healthy.

Focus on how much effort you invest, even if the person never really understands.

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I confess that I have sinned and that I cannot make myself clean. I have cared too much about appearances and too little about truth. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and ask you to forgive me, save me, and lead me as my Lord. Amen.

From Performance to Mercy

Lord, revive your Church from empty religion. Free us from hypocrisy, from chasing success at the cost of people, and from making disciples who are only outwardly connected. Give us clean hearts, honest witness, and compassion that seeks true good, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Revive Your Church from Hypocrisy

Father, search my motives. Where I have wanted respect more than faithfulness, or results more than truth, forgive me. Make my witness humble, patient, and sincere, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Clean My Motives

Pray for people who have been rushed, manipulated, or disappointed by religion: that God would protect them, heal what has been wounded, and lead them to real faith in Jesus.

For Those Hurt by Pressure

Pray by naming one person, then ask God to keep you honest, to free you from pressure, and to help you care about that person's real growth more than a visible response.

Ask for Honest Witness

Thank God for the people who led you gently and truthfully toward him, and ask him to make you that kind of person for someone else.

Gratitude for Honest Guides

Οὐαὶ{oo-AE###oo-AEH###Woe} ὑμῖν,{hEE-MEEN###hEE-MEEN###to you} γραμματεῖς{gra-ma-TEES###grahm-mah-TEES###scribes} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} Φαρισαῖοι{fa-ri-SEE-ee###fah-ri-SEH-ee###Pharisees} ὑποκριταί,{hEE-po-kree-TE###hEE-poh-kree-TEH###hypocrites} ὅτι{HO-tee###HOH-tee###because} περιάγετε{pe-ri-A-ye-te###peh-ree-AH-yeh-teh###you go around} τὴν{TEEN###TEEN###the} θάλασσαν{THA-la-san###THAH-lah-sahn###sea} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} τὴν{TEEN###TEEN###the} ξηρὰν{ksee-RAN###ksee-RAHN###dry land} ποιῆσαι{pee-EE-se###pee-EE-seh###to make} ἕνα{HE-na###HEH-na###one} προσήλυτον,{pro-SEE-lee-ton###proh-SAY-ly-tohn###a proselyte} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} ὅταν{HO-tan###HOH-tahn###when} γένηται{YE-nee-te###YEH-nee-teh###he becomes} ποιεῖτε{pee-EE-te###pee-EE-teh###you make} αὐτὸν{af-TON###ahf-TOHN###him} υἱὸν{hEE-ON###hEE-OHN###son of} γεέννης{ye-EN-nees###yeh-EHN-nees###Gehenna} διπλότερον{di-PLO-te-ron###dih-PLOH-teh-rohn###more double} ὑμῶν.{hEE-MON###hEE-MOHN###than you}

Matthew 23:15 — DynamicTAB

More on this verse