“Shall we pay or shall we not pay?” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to look at” (Mark 12:15).
The Lord knows hypocrisy. We are not to put the Lord to the test, but we do it all the time. “Lord, if You do this . . .” Our prayers are to be from our heart and without condition, just as our love, in order to be love, should be without condition. We receive mercy and the Lord has put up with the foolishness of sinners throughout the ages. His desire is that we would not perish, but come to Him humbly, willingly, and without condition.
Lord, I confess that I too have lived with my share of hypocrisy. Guide me away from foolishness to follow You alone in the hope that only You can give. Help me to live according to Your grace and mercy, and not to be tempted to put You or anyone else to the test. Teach me to live the life You have given me, looking to You as the One who will guide me in the way of living righteously.
Lord Jesus, long-suffering Savior, You have made the way possible for me to move from living a life of hypocrisy toward living righteously. Help me to have the right fear so that I overcome those places where I am tempted to put You or anyone else to the test. Guide me in my living so that I humbly walk under Your direction and live the life You have given me to live. Through You, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, I am more than able to do all You command. Amen.
