HYPOCRITE
This is a word that Jesus used often. He used it in reference to the scribes and pharisees as recorded in Matthew 23, for several of their doctrines and actions. They were deceptive to the point of not only leading others astray, but themselves also. Notice some of Jesus condemnations.
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, even while for a pretence ye make long prayers: therefore ye shall receive greater condemnation.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he is become so, ye make him twofold more a son of hell than yourselves.
Woe unto you, ye blind guides, that say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor. Ye fools and blind: for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that hath sanctified the gold? And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gift that is upon it, he is a debtor. Ye blind: for which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? He therefore that sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And he that sweareth by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that sweareth by the heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done, and not to have left the other undone. Ye blind guides, that strain out the gnat, and swallow the camel!
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full from extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the platter, that the outside thereof may become clean also.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but inwardly ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity".
Hypocrisy is a big danger in the church today. As in the days of Jesus it is easy to deceive ourselves. We profess to serve Christ, yet ignore some of his most basic teachings. Concerning our actions Jesus pointed out "but there is nothing covered up, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. Wherefore whatsoever ye have said in the darkness shall be heard in the light; and what ye have spoken in the ear in the inner chambers shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. (Lk. 12:2-3)
Listed among things that we are to put away, while seeking the spiritual milk is hypocrisies (I Pet. 2:1) The wisdom that is from above is without hypocrisy (James 3:17). Our love is to be without hypocrisy (Rom. 12:9). Hypocrites are said to have a beam in their eye, which makes them unfair judges (Mt. 7:5). Those who allow their traditions to rule are said to be hypocrites (Mk. 7:8-9).
The above things, as well as many others, make one a hypocrite, and hypocrites do not please God. They have a destiny that none of us want (Lk 24.51).
Hypocrisy in the church comes in many forms. We must be aware it exist, many times knowingly. We face false teachers who know they are false teachers. Brethren who cannot get along, and speak evil of one another. Some who have deceived themselves into believing what they want to believe on certain subjects. Make your own applications, first to yourself (remember the beam), then to others. Jesus described the scribes and pharisees as being "like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.” (Lk. 11:44) The big problem with hypocrisy is its deception of both the hypocrite, and those they teach. If we do not see the danger then we will not deal with it, and deal with it we must.
The prophecy of Isaiah was true in his time, and unfortunately still holds true in many cases. Let us be aware!!
"These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."
Jack