Tag: Hypocrisy

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Living In Community, Not Made to Be Alone, Quiet Time

Love and Honor

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based on, Not Made to Be Alone, a LGG Study, w4d4

Today’s Reading: Romans 12:9-21 / SOAP: 10

Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another.


Romans 12:9-10
Outdo one another

We talk so much about loving others that the ‘lesson’ can sometimes become old or stale and easy to brush off. But today’s passage isn’t just about loving others or even how we show love, instead it focuses on making sure our love is devoted, mutual, and eager to honor the other – or as one translation puts it – “Outdo one another in showing honor”. These other translations are helpful as well.

  • Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. NIV
  • Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor, NASB
  • Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. CSB
  • Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. NLT
  • Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; KJV

To truly love like verse ten teaches, we must first heed Paul’s words in verse nine of chapter twelve, that says, let your love be without hypocrisy. In other words, their love – like ours – is to be ‘genuine’. Only this genuine love will translate into the love that Jesus described in Mark chapter twelve as the second greatest commandment, which is loving your neighbor (or those from your community of faith) as yourself. When this is the love we possess/share we will be able to fulfill Paul’s teaching of being devoted to one another in love, sharing a mutual love, and eagerly honoring (greatly valuing) each other.

Don’t just pretend to love other. Really love them –

Romans 12:9 NLT
The impact of Real love

When we “love really” we will fall into step with the rest of Paul’s instructions. We will be enthusiastic in spirit and serve the Lord. We will rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, and persist in prayer. We will contribute to the needs of the saints and pursue hospitality. We will bless those who persecute us. We will rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. We will live in harmony with one another and we won’t be haughty but associate with the lowly.  We will not be conceited. We will not repay anyone evil for evil but consider what is good before all people. If possible, so far as it depends on us, we will live peaceably with all people. We will not avenge ourselves but give place to God’s wrath, because we know vengeance belongs to the Lord. Instead, when our enemy is hungry we will feed him, if he is thirsty we will give him drink, and we will not be overcome by evil, but we will overcome evil with good.

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Friendship: Week 6, Day 5 — Life-Giving Friendship

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READ: PHILIPPIANS 2:1-18, ROMANS 12:9-21: SOAP: ROMANS 12:9-10

Philippians 2:1-18 New Living Translation

Have the Attitude of Christ

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

6 Though he was God,
    he did not think of equality with God
    as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges
    he took the humble position of a slave
    and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
8     he humbled himself in obedience to God
    and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
    and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Shine Brightly for Christ

12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

Romans 12:9-21 New Living Translation

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

“I will take revenge;
    I will pay them back,”
    says the Lord.

20 Instead,

“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
    If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
    burning coals of shame on their heads.”

21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

There is mutual love, each of us seeking the good of the others.

Read the full devotional

Reflection Question(s):

  • What does it mean to have love without hypocrisy?
  • How can we be devoted to one another with mutual love?

Be sure to read today’s Love God Greatly Blog Post at

– https://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg-blog/

YOUR TURN: I WOULD LOVE IT IF YOU WOULD SHARE YOUR TAKEAWAY FROM TODAY?