Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 202

Joseph Sold Into Egypt. "Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." James 3:16.

Envy, Jealousy, And Hatred

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Saul Seeks David's Life. "Who is able to stand before envy?" Prov. 27:4.

1. What does Solomon say of envy?

"Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but _who is able to stand before envy_?" Prov. 27:4.

2. What is said of jealousy?

"Jealousy is _cruel as the grave_." Song of Solomon 8:6.

3. What is said of one who hates his brother?

"Whosoever hateth his brother _is a murderer_." 1 John 3:15.

4. What did envy lead the chief priests to do with Christ?

"For he [Pilate] knew that the chief priests had _delivered Him [to be crucified] for envy_." Mark 15:10.

5. What did it lead the Jews to do in Paul's day?

"But when the Jews saw the mult.i.tudes, they were filled with envy, and _spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming_." Acts 13:45.

6. What exists where envy and strife are?

"For where envying and strife is, there is _confusion and every evil work_." James 3:16.

7. Why should the heart be closely watched?

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for _out of it are the issues of life_." Prov. 4:23.

Hypocrisy

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Jesus Betrayed By A Kiss. "Let love be without dissimulation." Rom. 12:9.

1. Of what sin were the Pharisees guilty?

"Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is _hypocrisy_." Luke 12:1.

NOTE.-Hypocrisy is a feigning to be what one is not; dissimulation; a concealment of one's real character or motives; especially, the a.s.suming of a false appearance of virtue or religion.

2. How did the Pharisees show themselves to be hypocrites?

"Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people _draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoreth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me_." Matt. 15:7, 8.

3. How did they make void one of G.o.d's commandments?

"For G.o.d commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother.... But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. _Thus have ye made the commandment of G.o.d of none effect by your tradition._" Verses 4-6.

4. How did Christ say hypocrites pray?

"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for _they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men_. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." Matt. 6:5.

5. What does Christ call one who readily sees the faults of others, but does not see nor correct his own?

"_Thou hypocrite_, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

Matt. 7:5.

6. How does a hypocrite treat his neighbor?

"An hypocrite with his mouth _destroyeth his neighbor_." "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: _Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee_." Prov. 11:9; 23:7.

7. Which of the apostles was once guilty of dissimulation?

"And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him [Peter]; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation." Gal. 2:13.

8. Why did Paul say he opposed Peter in this matter?

"But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, _because he was to be blamed_." Verse 11.

9. What did David say he would not do?

"I have not sat with vain persons, _neither will I go in with dissemblers_." Ps. 26:4.

10. How pure should be our love?

"Let love be _without dissimulation_." Rom. 12:9.

11. What will become of the hypocrite's hope?