Whether it is elected people in our government telling us to wear a mask, but being caught without one in public, or other government elected or unelected officials telling us to take a shot while they grant themselves immunity from the same shot, hypocrisy is indeed prolific in our world. It is time to take a look in the mirror, review our thoughts and actions, and repent (change direction) in areas we need to change direction, if it is not aligned with the path of Jesus Christ.
There are 100 examples and references to hypocrisy in the bible. It’s something that Jesus Christ spoke of often and it displeased Him greatly (Luke 16:15). He taught us that we are to honor each other by (honestly) believing and doing what we say, and honor Him not only with our lips, but by our actions and obedience.
Here are a few of examples of hypocrisy in the bible:
#1 – Saying we love God when we hate our neighbor.
If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 1 John 4:20
#2 – Honoring God in words only.
You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” Matthew 15:7-9
#3 – Judging others while doing the things we judge others for.
Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Romans 2:3
#4 – Saying we “know God” but failing to follow His commandments.
“Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,” 1 John 2:4
#5 – Praying long prayers, fasting with a suffering face, being generous, or doing good only as in a show in front of others.
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. Matthew 6:5
There are many examples of the expression of hypocrisy, so let’s try to summarize, quickly, why God dislikes hypocrisy so much. Hypocrisy is the same as lying, and when it is done, it is done from impure, unclean heart. God expects us to show our faith by doing good deeds or works (James 2:26), but we are to do them in a way that pleases God. We also must not sear the consciousness of weaker-in-faith believers by showing off or behaving in a way that makes them believe they are inferior or unworthy of God’s love, or worse, reveal to them falsehoods in our lives that goes against who God created us to be.
In short, God expects us to do the good works with love in our heart for Him and for each other as we live in faith. The Lord searches our hearts, knows our deepest desires, and knows us intimately. We cannot get away with doing good, while doing the good deed for evil gain, thereby stealing the glory from God. “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” Jeremiah 17:10
God also shares His understanding of the heart with prophets (Amos 3:6–7) to help them know His will for others. Yes, there are presently men and women walking among us that can discern the condition of the heart through Christ. It is a gift from God to be able to help others grow and mature in God’s truth and to learn and know God’s will for each other. When we are obedient to do this, we all will learn and grow in our divine purpose!
Jesus Christ knows our hearts. He reads it as a man reads a book. He knows the “why” of every action we take. Even people who do their best to not be a hypocrite can sometimes be deceived by the true intention of their actions. We must repent and learn not to be hypocrites. To keep our mouths and intentions pure and holy, as He is holy. It is with daily practice and self-control, a fruit of the spirit discussed in Galatians 5:22-23, that we do this. If we are not wise and pay no attention to this concern God has for His children, we can become like the Pharisee and spread hypocrisy like unleavened bread (Mark 8:15).
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness.
Matthew 23:27
May the Lord bless your understanding of this message. May it add hope and peace to you and a renewed sense of truth to what God is seeking from true sons of God and the brides of Christ. You are loved! 