2 Timothy 1:312, SINCERITY vs. Hypocrisy (4)

f)    To help apply this matter of “sincerity,” consider how sincerity (pure motives) relates to the areas mentioned in the following Scriptures.

i)      Luke 8:15; Rom. 10:6-10: The word of God is effective when received with a “noble and good heart.”  We are saved by believing in your heart that God raised Christ from the dead.

ii)   Matt. 18:5: Granting forgiveness must come from the heart, a pure heart. 

iii)            Matt. 22:37: We have not loved God with all our heart if that love does not come from a genuine heart with pure motives.

iv) Matt. 12:34-35: Our words ultimately come from our hearts.  It is not enough to speak words that make sense; they must come from a true heart.

v)    Matt. 6:2, 5, 16: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said our “religious” actions (giving, praying, fasting) must be carried out with a pure heart.  The primary issue is that they not be done just to be seen by others.

vi) Mk. 11:23: Doubt in the heart makes good sounding prayers null and void.

vii)          Acts 2:46: True unity in the fellowship of believers is carried out with “gladness and simplicity of heart.”  That last phrase means our hearts are not complicated with fleshly motives.  Our goal is not pride among the believers.  An illustration of this is Ananias and Sapphira in Ac. 5:1-11.

viii)       Rom. 6:17: The Roman believers were seen to be genuine in their faith because they “obeyed from the heart.”

ix) 2 Cor. 9:7: Giving is to be accompanied by Spirit-led purpose in the heart, not a decision made to satisfy the expectations of others.

x)    Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16: Our worship (singing) in the fellowship must come from a pure heart, not just to provide entertainment.  Words are important, and so is the heart of the musician.

xi) Eph. 6:5-6; Col. 3:22: How we do our job must be done with “sincerity of heart,” pleasing God, not just the boss.

xii)          Phil. 1:7: Service for others must be done with a sincere heart.

xiii)       1 Th. 2:4: Preaching must not be designed to please men but to please God.  Preparation and content must not only involve good study; it must involve communion with God.

xiv)        1 Pt. 3:4: A woman and her make-up needs to be sincere.  The prime issue is beauty on the inside, a chaste heart.

xv)          1 Pt. 3:15: Witnessing is not just quoting a “gospel presentation.”  It is sharing the good news from a heart set apart to God.

Space says we must just say sincerity is a key to assurance of salvation (1 Jn. 3:19-21), prayer (Ps. 66:18), faith (2 Tim. 1:5), love (1 Pt. 1:22; Rom. 12:9), behavior (2 Cor. 1:12) and handling the Word of God (2 Cor. 2:17).  Check out these passages on your own.  Then I suggest 1 Pt. 1:22 for memorization and meditation.