Paul wrote Timothy about those in Crete who professed to be godly, but they were in fact the opposite.  Titus was to work
on setting things in order (Titus 1:5ff.).  In this context, Paul wrote the following: “They profess that they know God; but in
works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Titus 1:16).  It is easy
to read through the majority of the first chapter of the book of Titus and to think about how ungodly those in Crete were
because of their hypocrisy.  However, we must use the word of God not just to see others, but most importantly to see
ourselves (Haggai 1:5 and I Corinthians 11:31).  We must ask ourselves some questions.  Consider, if someone is working to
save our souls, do they find that we say one thing and do another?  Do others see us as those who speak swelling words of our
faith, but our actions speak louder showing contrary statements?

   Do you recall reading about King David lusting after Bathsheba, committing adultery with her, having her husband (a loyal
servant in his own army) killed, and then taking her as his own?  David was a hypocrite.  Notice what happens after his sinful
actions: “And the Lord sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one
city; the one rich, and the other poor.  The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: But the poor man had
nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with
his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a
daughter.  And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd,
to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that
was come to him.  And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth,
the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing,
and because he had no pity.  And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man…” (II Samuel 12:1-7).  Are you like David?


   Folks, maybe we haven’t anyone among our fellowship who has had a man killed that he may have that man’s wife after
previously committing adultery with her.  Maybe there are no acts we perceive as wrong as those that David had committed.  
Folks, if we are sinning while calling ourselves the children of God, we are no different than David (I John 3:8-10).  We are
adulterers (Jeremiah 5:7, Jeremiah 23:14-18, and James 4:4).  “What”, some may say.  Come on folks!  Get off the bus of
deception and step onto the sidewalk of truth for a minute or two.  Those that say they love God, but He is last on their
schedules are self-deceived (Psalms 63:1-8).  Those that say they love the Lord and still yet hate to worship Him are more than
just slightly confused (Psalms 95:6-7).  There are those who proclaim that they love the brethren.  Yet, they really spend no
time with them aside from our scheduled times of assembling together.  Is that all there is to our relationships one with another
(Acts 2:42-46; 4:32, Hebrews 3:13; 10:22-25, and I John 4:19-21)?  Those that love God, but spend no time finding out what
He has written for them are blatantly ignorant of the terminology they proclaim (Psalms 119:97-103).  Are some “in the church”
like David?  Yea, and much more deceived even than he was!


   Have you had loving brethren let you know from time to time that you aren’t where you need to be (Galatians 6:1)?  Well,
they weren’t just passing on a suggestion for the day.  Others can often see those who are self-deceived better than that
person.  Even worse, some that are self-deceived are very capable judges of everyone else (Matthew 7:1-5).  Do you
understand what that proves?  It proves that those who can see the faults of others and not themselves are not ignorant of what
sin is.  They are just not honest about what sin is in their lives.  Yes, they know that sin will cause someone to be eternally lost
(Romans 6:23).  Yes, the self-deceived understand that they are to examine themselves (II Corinthians 13:5).  No, they’re not
honest.  That is the whole truth.  They will be staunch defenders of the faith.  They will proudly erringly establish their own
faithfulness (Proverbs 27:2).  They may even know how to use a few Scriptures (Matthew 4:5-6).  They may even be zealous
in some works for the Lord (Romans 10:1-3).  Folks, it all amounts to a huge load of dung if they themselves are not practicing
what they preach (Matthew 23:1ff.).  So, when others see our hypocrisy we have reached a point when all the good we can do
is now for naught (Romans 2:17-24).  So, let’s see ourselves for what we really are so we can change not just how we appear,
but what we really are?


   Yes, many do change just the way things look to others (Jeremiah 9:5).  Some even appear to be godly, but they are really
just the opposite (II Timothy 3:1-5).  However, a sincere seeker will look to self and turn to what God wants them to be
(Psalms 119:59 and Lamentations 3:40).  To really change, we need to set aside our desire to be self-deceived (Galatians 6:3-
5 and II Thessalonians 2:10).  Those who choose to fool themselves will not get where they need to be (Psalms 10:6).  What is
the motivator for people to just change the way things look to others?  It cannot be God, for they know that God cannot be
fooled by outward appearances (I Samuel 16:7).  If it is to please men, they must know that will not please God (Galatians 1:
10).  If you are just trying to appear righteous, why are you wasting your time?  God will sort through the fakers (I Timothy 5:
24-25), so why not just live the way you really are?


   Looking into the Scriptures is like looking into a mirror.  If we are honest in what we see, we can get things right (James 1:
21-25).  The word of God will truly open us up and let us see what we really are if we let it (Hebrews 4:12).  When your
actions are contradicting your words, you are wasting time trying to pretend to please God.  If you’re a fake, why not get things
right and stop wasting time now (II Corinthians 6:1-2)?
Volume VII    ~    Issue XLIV   ~   July 29th, 2007
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)?  Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17), repent of their
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6).  Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16).  One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10).
Edited by: Brian A. Yeager
When Your Actions Show Your Words to Be Untrue
By: Brian A. Yeager
Are We Like David in Some Matters?
When We Cannot See in Ourselves What is Apparent to Others
Changing More Than Appearances
Conclusion