Private whispers vs. Public preaching

Luke 12:3 You can't whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public. The day's coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town.

How many of our leaders, both secular and religious, fall into this trap? There's something about reaching a position of power that seems to invite people into thinking that they've done it all under their own steam, that they're above the rules, above the law, that it doesn't apply to them. Think Eliot Spitzer, Tiger Woods, and a host of others whose names I don't remember but whose scandals I do. The anti-gay conservatives who are caught in homosexual hook ups. It's legislators preaching ethics who are caught taking bribes. It's each of us whenever we whisper judgmental gossip about someone privately and smile with fake friendliness when we see them. It's called hypocrisy, and it's the thing teenagers get all riled up about, usually about their parents.

That's when a wise person recognizes the danger and takes steps to counter the influence of power and success. That's why humility is such an important Christian virtue: it reminds people that the lowliest homeless person and the highest ranking politician are both still human beings and highly flawed. It's why God prefers the tax collector, who comes to God aware of his shortcomings, to the Pharisee, who is convinced of his own righteousness. It's an easy slip to make and we humans are especially prone. Humility reminds us that we are not God; only God is God.

Prayer: Dear God, Help me be watchful that I don't slip into thinking I"m doing this all on my own. I want always to remember Who's in charge. Amen.