Religious and Wicked at the Same Time

“‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury,burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching!declares the Lord. Jeremiah 7:9-11

Self-deception. Using religion as a cover for wickedness. Living a lie. The fearful thing is that my heart is capable of this. I can make excuses for my behavior and sooth my conscience with the fact that I have devotions every day. That I memorize Scripture. That I am faithful in my church attendance. 

Dear Father, deliver me from self-deception. When I am wrong, when I sin, smite my conscience and let me submit to your rebuke. Help me to walk before you in truth.