There are some thoughts and behaviors that we control pretty well until we are put into certain situations or when certain circumstances befall us (or even when we steer circumstances in a particular direction). For example, we may not curse when certain people are around us. We may only smoke a cigarette when we are under a lot of stress. We may only drink alcohol when in our homes or when out with certain people. We may not hunt for internet pornography except when it’s late at night and everyone else is asleep. We may act differently or speak differently when our parents are around, when our kids are around, when church people are around, when worldly friends are around, when the preacher is around or when no one else is around.
Paul commended Timothy for his “genuine faith” (2 Tim. 1:5; also translated “unfeigned faith” and “sincere faith”). The word used here literally means a-hypocritical (the very opposite of being a hypocrite). As a Christian, I must not wear two different masks (or more). I must strive to imitate my Savior and Lord daily, no matter the circumstances or the situation.