There Was Found No Guile
By J. W. Rich
The Master and the Hypocrites — Grow Large Inside ONE of the first words we find in the Bible, after the record of the entrance of sin, stands out with an uncommon interest. That word is “beguile.” Another, of similar import, which appears near the close of the sacred Volume, is “guile.” And from beginning to end of the Scriptures, we have the history of guile. In the list of synonyms for this word are “deception” and “hypocrisy.” And that is just what Satan practiced back there in the garden of Eden. He wanted Eve to believe he was a god, and more, that he was greater than the God of heaven; for he substituted his wisdom and authority for God’s. He pretended to be something he was not. That was hypocrisy. It puts a sham in place of the genuine, and then endeavors to have others think that the sham is the true. That is the thing that is sometimes given to the world to-day as Christianity—a sham of the Christ. THE COUNTERFEIT MOST DISTASTEFUL
There is nothing that appears so distasteful to a lover of gold as to be defrauded by counterfeits of gold. So to those who are lovers of that which is of more value than gold, nothing is so distasteful as to see efforts made to counterfeit the Christian character. The human race, all the way along, has been tempted to cherish guile; and though we have the record of their experience, we are prone to go on repeating their history. When Jesus was here on earth, He found it necessary to reprove men for cherishing hypocrisy, and note how sharply He denounces them: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” Matt. 23: 25-28. WOULD HE DO THE SAME TO-DAY?
What a picture! And yet how accurately does it portray the characters of some men and women! Did it ever occur to you that the Master would say the same thing now as then, were He to denounce the sins of the modern world? Would He find any guile? Would He find any pretenders, any professional Christians, any who would have us think they are genuine Christians, but who really do not want to be genuine? Would He find any following Him simply because it helps them in their business, because a profession of Christianity would afford them a cloak under which they could carry on avarice and covetousness? Would He find any such thing in you? When Samuel was told to anoint a king over Israel, and was led to the home of Jesse to anoint one of his sons to the responsibility, the sons were each made to pass before him. As the first approached, a stalwart, manly, noble looking young fellow, Samuel exclaimed, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him.” But the Lord said: “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Sam. 16: 6, 7. Were there more time given to heart culture and growth, and less to outward appearance, the world would be blessed as a result. Did we all follow the counsel that a theological professor offered his son in this respect, there would be less guile in every community. His counsel was, “Grow large on the inside.” In other words, take time for the culture of character. From the reading of the Word as it is in Rev. 14: 5, we are led to conclude that when Jesus comes, He will find many people who are hypocrites or pretenders; for of only a small company will it be said, “And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” No pretenders there! That company of men and women are exactly what they appear to be. Close examination reveals no defects or imperfections. It is grand to know that there will be such a people, but it will be grander still to be one of them. This is your privilege and mine. Do not allow Satan to make you think he is anything different from what he is, or that you are free from guile when you are not. If there is any hypocrisy, in your following the Master, or guile in your daily transactions or profession, let Jesus take it away for you now.