If You’re Wise, You Won’t Disguise

By Rick Warren — December 8, 20188

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17 NIV). A mark of wise people is that they don’t try to hide their weaknesses.

The Bible says true wisdom is “impartial and sincere.” Those words in Greek both sound like “hypocrite,” and for good reason: They mean “without hypocrisy” or “straightforward.”

Greek theater often featured just a few actors in an entire play who would repeatedly change parts. They would hold masks in front of their faces for each part, and one person could have five or six different masks and parts. That person, that actor, was called a hypocrite.

If you’re wise, you’re not phony. You don’t wear masks and try to be something you’re not. You’re genuine and authentic. What others see is what they get! You don’t strive for perfection or pretend like you’ve already achieved it. You’re aware of your weaknesses, and you don’t try to hide them.

Proverbs 28:13 says, “You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins” (GNT). It’s ridiculous to pretend that you’ve got it all together, because nobody does.

When you start telling people what your weaknesses are, they’re not going to be shocked. They’re already aware. Everybody knows your weakness. If you won’t admit your weaknesses, you’re the only one! We see each other’s weaknesses all the time, and most people are more than willing to point out the weaknesses in others. But we don’t want to point out our own.

If you’re wise, you won’t disguise your weaknesses. People appreciate honesty—when you are straightforward about where you are. It helps the people you’re sharing with to be more open, because they might be struggling, too.PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor RickTalk It Over

• What weakness have you been trying to conceal from others? Do you think that the people in your life are not already aware of it?
• How does trying to conceal your weaknesses affect your physical and emotional health?
• Why does the Bible say you won’t have success if you try to hide your sins?

In a brazen attempt to re-write history, President Barack Obama in a speech on Friday blamed “the politics of resentment and paranoia,” which he said had found a home in the Republican Party, for “wild conspiracy theories – like those surrounding Benghazi.”

Here’s a link to the editorial at Fox News.

The early investigation into what caused a tour boat in Missouri to capsize Thursday, killing 17, has found that the vessel set out despite winds approaching hurricane force, according to a National Transportation Safety Board official.

Here’s a link to the story at FOX News.

John R. “Bob” Williams, 84, of Valier, IL, passed away on May 10, 2018.

He was born on March 21, 1934 in Macedonia, IL. He was a loving Dad, Grandpa and Great Grandpa. He was friendly and good natured. He always had a smile for everyone he met. He was funny and would do anything for anyone just to see them smile. He loved talking with people, he could talk for hours. He had so many great stories. He served the United States army in Germany for 21 months as a medic. He loved fishing, hunting, animals especially horses and dogs, camping, telling stories and spending time with his friends and family. He had numerous jobs in his life but the one he liked best was his Heating and Air Conditioning Business. He was preceded in death by his parents Oscar and Irene Williams, brother Eddie Williams and sister Sharon (Ron) Mabry. He is survived by his two children, Kevin Williams and Deb (Williams) Gabriel. Four grand-daughters, Christine (Lamone) Whitfield, Kaylee (Derek) Hillinger, Jordanna Marsh and Karissa Marsh. Two great-grandchildren Max Whitfield and Arya Scott. Several siblings: Charles (Janis) Williams, Carl (DeeAnn) Williams, Karen (Jim) Sanson, Brenda (Jim) Hewlett, Norma Bollinger, Linda (Ken) Aldridge and several nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his friends and family. Funeral services will be at Valier First Baptist Church on Friday May 18 at 4:00 PM with visitation from 2:00 PM until the time of the service. There will be a luncheon at the church immediately following the ceremony. Memorial fund is being set up with National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV).