Walking With Jesus (Repentance)Uzorak

A hypocrite

What is hypocrisy? A hypocrite person is a two-faced person or someone whose words are different from his heart. He is someone full of pretense or a person whose words do not match his actions. In the New Testament, the word hypocrite comes from the Greek word ὑποκρίτης (hypokritēs), which means a playwright. The characters they play on stage are very different from their daily lives.

Hypocrisy means full of falsehood or pretense - and this was the way the scribes and Pharisees lived. They knew the contents of the Bible or the Torah very well, but they didn't live it. That was why Lord Jesus strongly criticized them: because they only taught others but did not do what they taught. They just made ministry a mask. Lord Jesus said, "So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach." (Mat. 23:3).

A hypocritical life is a sign that a person is not truly repentant and does not have a God-fearing heart. Since they don't want to lose their reputation, they try to cover up all their depravity by presenting a life that seems spiritual through religious activities that other people will praise, respect, and appreciate them "... on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." (Mat. 23:28).

Our worship and ministry should not be limited to outward physical activities, while our hearts and lives are very far from the truth. Let us be people of integrity with the fear of God. God does not judge us based on our outward appearance and sweet words. He knows the depths of our hearts and everything that is hidden within them.

Reflection:

1. Have you been living your Christian life full of pretense? How does it feel when you live that double life?

2. What can we do to avoid being hypocrites?

Practice: Throw away all hypocrisy because God hates hypocrites! Be open to God when He wants to mold us.