hypocrite

Q&A – Am I being a hypocrite to pray when I don’t feel like it?

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A hypocrite is somebody who professes certain things or qualities without really possessing those qualities in themselves.

When you pray, or talk to God, at a time you do not feel like it simply means that you are not depending upon feelings, but you are rendering your heart to God by faith.

It is dangerous to solely depend upon feelings, because they are as changeable as the weather.

“A large class of the professed Christian world are watching their feelings; but feeling is an unsafe guide. … Satan can move upon our feelings, and he can so arrange surrounding circumstances as to make our feelings changeable. Victory in God is not feeling, but faith. It is the faith that will not yield although there are seeming impossibilities to be encountered.” The Signs of the Times, May 22, 1884.

We should never depend upon our feelings in matters of praying. In fact, at the time when we do not feel like praying is when we most need to draw near to God and talk with Him.

“As soon as one begins to contemplate his feelings he is on dangerous ground. If he feels happy and joyous, then he is very confident and has very pleasing emotions. The change will come. There are circumstances that occur which bring depression and sad feelings; then the mind will naturally begin to doubt whether the Lord is with him or not.

“Now, the feelings must not be made the test of the spiritual state, be they good or be they discouraging. The word of God is to be our evidence of our true standing before Him.” In Heavenly Places, 126.

Satan might try to make us feel like hypocrites but we must remember that talking to God when we do not feel like it gives us just the strength and faith we need for that moment. “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” I John 5:4.

“Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” Mark 9:24. We must live by faith in Jesus and in His Word which tells us to, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. And in Isaiah 26:3 we are told, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

It is good that our minds are stayed on Him and by faith we talk to God and do not follow our emotions of the moment. This is not hypocrisy, but faith! When you kneel down to pray, even when you do not feel like it, the devil has lost the battle for that moment.

If you have a Bible question you wish to have answered, please write to Steps to Life or e-mail it to: landmarks@stepstolife.org.

Keys to the Storehouse – Spot of a Hypocrite

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There are so many distractions to lead us from that quiet time with God. Many times when our prayer season begins, we are immediately disturbed by empty thoughts of the world which have nothing to do with our time with the Lord. Much quality time is lost when distractions of mind and heart are allowed to replace the time with God.

We are told to “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

Be concerned! A wandering uncontrolled heart can cause the loss of your soul and may cause the spot of a hypocrite to appear on your soul. How you respond to a wandering heart is a reflection of carefulness or carelessness and gives evidence of either sincerity or hypocrisy. You see, a hypocrite can perform a round of duties never regarding the condition of his heart or its wanderings. Never be satisfied with an empty round of duties, including prayer.

“Christians should be careful that they keep the heart with all diligence. They should cultivate a love for meditation, and cherish a spirit of devotion. Many seem to begrudge moments spent in meditation, and the searching of the Scriptures, and prayer, as though the time thus occupied was lost. … To keep your heart in Heaven, will give vigor to all your graces, and put life into all your duties. To discipline the mind to dwell upon heavenly things, will put life and earnestness into all our endeavors.” The Review and Herald, March 29, 1870.

“The noble powers of the mind have been given to us by the Lord, that we may employ them in contemplating heavenly things.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 3, 1145.

The first thing you need to do when you find your heart under the powers of distraction is to humble yourself before God right then and call for assistance from heaven.

  • Each wandering thought should bring sorrow to your heart.
  • Lift your voice to God and ask Him to forgive you and to help you.
  • Tell Him you came to spend time with Him, but all of these thoughts are bombarding you.

Never consider this a small matter when something takes you away from communing with God. Plead for the Lord to never let you leave His presence until your heart is one with Him.

Our prayer should always be, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14.

Father, I come to spend time with You. I am so sorry all of these thoughts are bombarding me; please forgive me. Lord, how can I claim the promise, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31) while these distractions will not let me wait peacefully in Thy presence? I would so enjoy this time of communion with You without any distractions of mind or heart. Grant me peace of mind and heart that I may sit with You in that secret place and find that fullness of joy in Thy presence. Amen.