They seem upright to other people on the outside

Their inner life is full of pretending and rebellion against God

Their outward life matches their inward life

Their problem is only that others misunderstand them

Let God expose hidden sin and let private life match public faith

Keep the public image strong and leave private habits largely unexamined

Add more visible religious activity so the gap is less likely to be noticed

Assume that looking decent is enough if nobody confronts you

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have cared too much about looking good while my heart was not right. I confess my sin and my need for your mercy. I turn from my hypocrisy and rebellion against God. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I confess you as Lord and ask you to make me clean and new inside and out. Amen.

Make Me New Inside

Lord, revive your church so we are not content with polished appearances and hidden sin. Tear down our masks, humble our pride, and make our private lives match our public confession. Rebuild us in truth, holiness, and repentance, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Renew Your Church in Truth

Father, I confess the places where I have cared more about being seen well than being clean before you. Forgive my hidden sin, my shallow religion, and my divided heart. Give me a truthful spirit and a steady love for what is right, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Forgive My Double Life

Pray by naming one area where your public life and private life do not match, then ask God for one honest change, one person to trust, and one step you will take this week.

Pray for a Whole Heart

Thank God that he does not stop at appearances, but deals with the heart. Thank him for exposing what is false so that what is true can grow.

Thank You for Truth That Heals

Pray for leaders, families, and friends to be the same in private and in public. Ask God to give courage to repent quickly and live with integrity before him and others.

For Those Living Behind a Mask

οὕτως{OO-tos###OO-tohs###thus} καὶ{KE###KEH###also} ὑμεῖς{hee-MEES###hee-MEES###you} ἔξωθεν{EK-so-then###EHK-soh-then###outwardly} μὲν{MEN###MEHN###indeed} φαίνεσθε{FE-nes-the###FEH-nes-theh###appear} τοῖς{TEES###TEES###to the} ἀνθρώποις{an-THRO-pees###ahn-THROH-pees###people} δίκαιοι,{DEE-ke-ee###DEE-keh-ee###righteous} ἔσωθεν{E-so-then###EH-soh-then###within} δέ{DE###DEH###but} ⸂ἐστε{ES-te###EHS-teh###are} μεστοὶ⸃{me-STEE###meh-STEE###full of} ὑποκρίσεως{hee-po-KREE-se-os###hee-poh-KREE-seh-ohs###hypocrisy} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} ἀνομίας.{a-no-MEE-as###ah-noh-MEE-ahs###lawlessness}

Matthew 23:28 — FormalTAB

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