Saintly or Snaky—Part two by John Hagee

Matthew 23:27—Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you are like whitewashed tombs, which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.

Do you do what is right only because you know others are watching or do you long and thirst for righteousness?

There is the restraint of associations.  When we are hemmed in by a close circle of friends who live righteously, we can hardly do anything but go along with their behavior.  We’re like barrel staves held in place by hoops of steel.  But what are we like when we leave town for two weeks and go to a place where no one knows us?  Do we then start acting snaky?

There is the restraint of tasks.  I have known people to function in the church because they had a titled position.  When they leave the position, they collapse like a house of cards.  They quit the church and start acting snaky.

The true test of our righteousness comes when the restraints are lifted.  Do we act saintly or snaky?  Catalog your own actions and activities.  Would you like them to be published in your hometown newspaper?  What does that tell you about how much you really hunger and thirst after righteousness?