Gerald H. Wilson on Psalm 28 and two-faced people:
In our psalm, it is interesting to note the kinds of “works” for which the psalmist’s enemies are condemned. It is not that these are murderers or thieves – – there is no indication of physical assault or robbery. Instead, they are described as “two-faced” or deceptive in their relations with others. They “speak peace” (NIV “speak cordially”) to their neighbors–expressing a concern for others well-being–while actually harboring resentments and “malice” toward those they address. This is an interior attitude of self-focus and self-concern that is not visible to those around about. Yet lack of integrity in inner thought and outer expression is one of the sinful attitudes commonly addressed in the psalms.
Chris,
Thanks for being a channel of God’s confirming of the message that He has given me to preach this coming Sunday. We are beginning to look at the beatitudes and I am looking at the first: ‘blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’
I was pondering how hard – impossible – it is for the natural man to have a rightful understanding of how poor in spirit he is before God. Ever since the fall of Adam and Eve, we’ve become experts at covering up our shame with the fig leaves of cosmetics, our salaries and bank balances, suits and ties, favourable Facebook photos, fake smiles, the veneer of religiosity…
My personal experiences and observations have been that we’re so good at it that we even fall for the fake version of ourselves! So much so that we would even have the audacity to believe that God could be pleased with the fake.
As I was reflecting on Jesus’ parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee I just realised how often I can be just like that Pharisee.
“Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” – Romans 7:24,25
Thanks for sharing the helpful thought, Chris.
ry