Am I A Hypocrite?
Hypocrite Comes from the Greek word: (hupokrinomai) : refers to an actor, who wore a mask, and played a part In the Bible, Hypocrite is used to describe one who is pretending to be something he is not. According to Webster’s Dictionary - a person who claims or pretends to have certain beliefs about what is right but who behaves in a way that disagrees with those beliefs.
What Does the Bible Teach? Romans 12:9 – “Let love be with out hypocrisy” Galatians 2:11-13 – Paul rebukes Peter 1 Timothy 4:2 – A product of a seared conscience James 3:17 – Wisdom without hypocrisy 1 Peter 2:1 – “Therefore laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and evil speaking.” 1 John 1:6 – “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
How a Hypocrite Acts He cares more for his reputation than his character This is how the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes were in the Gospels How did they treat Jesus? Name Calling - Matthew 9:3-4 Attempts to Entrap Him – Mathew 22:15-40 Tried to get rid of Him – John 11:45-50 Wanted to please man rather than please God (Matthew 6:2,5,16) Their Goal was to reach the highest rank (Matthew 23:5-7)
What about us? Do we ask ourselves “What will others think about us?” Are we doing things to be praised by those who see us? Do we care more about our reputation than our character?
How a Hypocrite Acts He practices religion when they are truly distant from God He lives in sin but justifies his life with attendance and worship. Matthew 23:23 – Example of the Pharisees and Scribes Is our religion becoming more tedious? Is it becoming something we don’t look forward to?
How a Hypocrite Acts He will emphasize his good deeds and the faults of others He always has something to say about everybody else. Luke 18:10-12 – Story of the Pharisee and Tax Collector Matthew 7:1-5 Matthew 23:29-31 Matthew 23: 2-4 – They give others heavy burdens but they do no work. What about us? Are we like the Pharisees? Do we ever say: “That was a good lesson. Too bad it doesn’t apply to me”?
Results of Hypocrisy He is self-seeking His heart is corrupted (Matthew 23:25-28) He drives some away (Matthew 23:13) He corrupts others (Galatians 2:11-13) He has his reward (Matthew 6:1-7) He will lose his soul (Revelations 21:8)
Am I A Hypocrite?