"Chameleon"

"But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."  Matthew 5:37

 

There is a lizard that fascinates me.  It is called a Chameleon.  What makes it so fascinating is its ability to change colors in order to adapt to its surroundings.  While this is a good thing for the chameleon, it is not a good thing for people.  I know people that I would identify as "chameleons".

 

What do I mean by that?  These are people who change their opinions or behavior according to their situation.  They will say one thing to you and something totally the opposite to someone else.  They will tell you to your face what they think you want to hear but talk about you behind your back.  They will make you think that they believe the same thing you do when they are talking to you.  But when they are talking with someone else they will go along with them. They agree with you when talking to you.  But disagree with you when talking with others.  If it will win them "votes" or "popularity" they will change their minds and words just like a chameleon changes its colors.  They will go along with you and everyone else even if your opinions and views are different.  You never know where they stand or where you stand with them. 

 

God forbid that any of us who call ourselves Christians are "chameleons".  Our yes should be yes and our no should mean no.  We should not be double-minded.  We should know what we believe, what we stand for, have our minds made up and stick to it-- no matter who we are with.  (Unless the Holy Spirit shows us otherwise.)  We should never just go along with whoever we are talking with at the time.  I am being polite when I call these people chameleons.  Jesus used a stronger word.  He calls them hypocrites. 

 

I hope this doesn't describe you this morning.  If it does, ask the Lord to help you, forgive you and deliver you.  We all have the desire to be liked and accepted.  And we tend to think that if we go along with other people, believe like they do and agree with them that they will like us.  That is not always the case.  We may very well be selling ourselves out instead.  Let what you believe and what you say remain the same no matter who you are talking to.

 

Have a great day.  Are you a chameleon?