Hypocrisy

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What Does the Bible Say about Hypocrisy, and Are Christians Hypocrites?

Mike Leake

| Borrowed Light

2021

10 Nov

You’ve heard it before. “Christians are a bunch of judgmental hypocrites.” I used to respond to this by saying, “we’ve always got room for one more.” But I don’t think my snarky response really gets to the heart of the accusation. I answer it a bit differently now. On our church website and in the literature we give to our guests, I ask that question: “Are you judgmental hypocrites?” Now I just answer the question honestly:

“Yes. But that is not all you will find. You will find not only judgmental hypocrites but sinners of all stripes. You will find those struggling with addictions, you will find those wrestling with insecurities, you will find those fighting bitterness and jealousy, you will find broken people just like yourself. Our goal as a church is to be honest about our brokenness and to find refuge in Jesus alone. No matter where you are in your journey, there is a place for you here."

The truth is, it’s a good thing when someone is appalled by hypocrisy. Because Jesus is also appalled by that. Rather than defending ourselves, it’s a better idea to use it as an opportunity to point to Jesus. What exactly does the Bible say about hypocrisy? And how can we avoid it?

What Does the Bible Say about Hypocrites?

Hypocrisy is not a common word in the Old Testament, but the New Testament is rife with examples. This isn’t surprising since the word itself comes from the Greek stage acting. It came to mean “acting a part.” Advertising something on the outside that is not consistent with the character on the inside is the picture of hypocrisy. When an actor puts on a mask and pretends to be someone he is not, his appearance is different than who he is behind the mask. When this happens morally, it is called hypocrisy.

Though the word itself doesn’t appear there, Mark 11:12-25 gives a vivid picture of hypocrisy. Here, on the heels of Palm Sunday, Jesus curses a fig tree. It seems an odd action given the context. But it is an enacted parable. The fig tree is an illustration of the temple. The fig tree advertises having fruit and being ready for nourishing a passerby—but it’s deceptive. The fig tree is being a hypocrite. Outwardly beautiful, inwardly rotten or empty. This is why Mark sandwiches the cleansing of the temple between the discussion of the fig tree. The fig tree is a picture of the temple and its religious leaders/system. Hypocritical.

The opposite of a hypocrite is to be sincere. It is to be authentic—to be pure and unpolluted. It is to be the same on the inside as you are projecting on the outside. Philippians 1:10 gives us an example of this word. This can be illustrated by the ancient world of pottery. Dishonest pottery salesmen would fill in cracks with hard pearly wax—these cracks couldn’t be detected unless you put them up to the sun. But once held up to the sun, the crack would become evident. So a vase would be “sun-judged” if it passed the test, then it would be considered “without wax” or sine-cera. This is where our word sincere comes from. It means to be pure—with integrity and not having hidden cracks. You are on the inside what you advertise on the outside.

Is Hypocrisy a Sin?

Ask Ananias and Sapphira if God classifies hypocrisy as a sin. In Acts 4 we see that these religious leaders lied about what they had given, and they were struck dead. It’s a shocking story in the New Testament, but it’s an indicator of how serious God takes hypocrisy. This and Jesus’ narrative of cursing the fig tree shows how God views this particular sin.

Why is hypocrisy such a big deal? Hypocrisy is a big deal because we are image-bearers. Each human is supposed to be a representative of who God is. It has been said that “our lives either tell the truth about God or they tell a lie.” The story of the Bible is that we are image-bearers, but that image has been shattered through our sin. This means that we all tell some lies about God’s character. But there is a special type of hypocrisy for those who promote and present themselves as representatives of God (is this not what it means to be a Christian? A “little Christ”?) This is why it is so odious. When we say one thing with our lips but do another with our lifestyle, we are misrepresenting God.

Bible Verses about Hypocrites

Matthew 7:1-5 is an important passage in regards to hypocrisy. Here Jesus tells those who would look for a speck in their brother’s eye to consider the plank in their own. Judgmentalism typically accompanies hypocrisy. Often the sins we are most vocal about speaking against are the ones running wild within.

Matthew 23:27-28 is part of Jesus’ woes against the Pharisees. This entire section is a good place to look for visual pictures of hypocrisy as well as to consider how Jesus thinks about hypocrisy.

Galatians 2:11-13 shows that even great Christian leaders like the apostle Peter can be given over to hypocrisy. Here he is rebuked by Paul for being a hypocrite. Peter believes the gospel, but his lifestyle doesn’t match up to the implications of the gospel, and it is causing harm to others.

1 Peter 2:1-3 tells us that hypocrisy is part the old man that needs to be cast aside. By craving the spiritual milk of the word, we will grow up into salvation and thereby be more consistent in our lifestyle.

Are Christians Hypocrites?

Yes. But we shouldn’t be. The only One who was never hypocritical is the Lord Jesus. He was always consistent inside and outside. We should be people of sincerity. The truth, though, is that believers are being changed into the image of Christ. Though many have given Christianity a bad name, there are many sincere and authentic believers in Jesus. One of these dear saints was John Newton. Newton spoke well of sincerity and simplicity. He notes that this grace can only come through the gospel. We are by nature hypocrites, only through growth in the gospel will we see hypocrisy rooted out. Here is Newton in his own words:

“The true simplicity, which is the honor and strength of a believer, is the effect of a spiritual perception of the truths of the Gospel. It arises from, and bears a proportion to, the sense we have of our own unworthiness, the power and grace of Christ, and the greatness of our obligations to him. So far as our knowledge of these things is vital and experimental, it will make us simple-hearted. This simplicity may be considered in two respects, — a simplicity of intention, and a simplicity of dependence. The former stands in opposition to the corrupt workings of self, the latter to the false reasoning of unbelief.”

A Prayer to Be More Truthful and Trustworthy

Lord,

Help us to be consistent. Help us to be bold enough in the gospel that we can be honest with our sin. But help us to also believe the redemption that you bring about in our lives. Help us to walk in the holiness that you’ve purchased for us. We know, Lord, that through the work of Jesus we have a wholeness and integrity which we did not have before. Forgive us for those times in which we have been inconsistent. Forgive us for the lies that our lips and our lives have spoken about you. Heal those we have wounded by our hypocrisy. Cleanse us in Jesus and give us lives of integrity.

Amen.

Christians can still be hypocrites. But by the grace of God as we walk in step with the Spirit, we are not nearly as hypocritical as we once were. Hypocrisy is not reserved for the religious. There are many types of hypocrisy. There is only one who was never a hypocrite—and through union with Him we have an unblemished record. We are called to live out of this perfect record and to be in practice who we actually are in position. We are spotless in Christ. May we be consistent people, honest about our continuing corruption but also honestly living in the work of Christ.

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The 'Good Old Days' Of the 'Slippery Slope'

Were you expecting a “Red Wave” on November 8th? Why would you think that? Did you forget about the presidential election of 2020? We were still using the same, easily manipulated electronic voting machines. Even after the “People” demanded a redress of grievances for an obviously stolen election on January 6 of ‘21, it was the PEOPLE who were persecuted and prosecuted. Congress never addressed “Election Reform” in any way, so we still had mail-in ballots, an abundance of questionable absentee ballots, and ballots mysteriously showing up after election day. And in this age of computerization and electronic ease, it’s still taking more than a week, in some areas, to complete the counting. How stupid do they think we are? Nevermind — they know how stupid we are.

Even when millions were outraged at the arrogant election steal of 2020, and after presenting irrefutable evidence of such, the People, being brainwashed by the Mainstream Media and just plain tired of it all, just gave up and gave in and accepted the usurper in the White House as being “legitimate,” but with an asterisk. But that was not the first time our elections were rigged — just the most blatant example. Our elections have been maniupulated for decades. It’s no longer who is “elected,” but rather who is selected. And in case you don’t realize it, we the People, aren’t doing the selecting and haven’t for years. An obvious example might be the junior senator from Illinois who suddenly became “president” after having done nothing whatsoever, other than learn to lie convincingly.

And yes, today, I’m speaking of politics — something we’ve been trained to believe that Christians are supposed to keep their grubby hands off of, especially so-called “pastors.” Today’s modern American Pastors wouldn’t speak on anything that could even remotely be considered a “political” issue if their lives depended on it. Actually, they do depend on it...as do the lives of the sheep they’re supposed to be leading. Not to mention their children and grandchildren.

As go the pulpits, so goes the nation. Our pastors’ lack of courage to address the vital issues of the day, and teach their people what the Bible has to say about all these matters is THE sole reason our country is now in total collapse. Forget the “slippery slope” we were on in the 1980s and ‘90s. We’ve long since descended into the abyss. That “slippery slope” is now just a pleasant memory of days gone by... we only WISH we could go back, and have the guts to do something to avert the disaster that is 2022.

You cannot separate “Church” and “State” in a nation that was established by God’s mercy and grace, and whose Founding Fathers not only knew this, but enshrined the Word of God in our country’s sacred foundational documents, carved into stone in our nation’s capitol, built into legislation they passed and worked hard to ensure God and His Holy Word would be studied and revered by children of future generations.

But here we are. Now, we go to church on Sunday, daring not to speak a word about so-called “politics” to anyone, and then go vote on Tuesday, looking to the Republicans as our Great Saviors.

Honestly, I’m done using the verbiage of the Establishment State. Let’s call things as they are. Instead of “Democrats” and “Republicans,” let’s use the proper terms: “Communists” and “Politicians.” Because that’s what we’re really dealing with and it’s time we acknowledge it. I’ve heard people call the Democratic party “demonic,” and I have no doubt it most definitely is. But the other wing of the demon is still part of the same demon. Some may honor God with their lips, but when are we going to learn that none of them can be trusted, any more than we’d trust a telemarketer?

Show me some FRUIT and then they may earn a bit of my trust. Simply having the letter “R” after your name means nothing to me, and it shouldn’t mean anything to you. The lesser of two evils is still evil — and the Communists and Politicians have earned my disdain. If you don’t feel the same way, I feel sorry for you that you’re so mislead.

“Democrats” and “Republicans;” “Left” and “Right” are nothing more than buzz words used to divide us. Even when the so-called “good guys” have held majorities in office, very little good has come of it. Not only do they NOT advance the righteous agendas of God — they don’t even fight for the very things they claim to stand for while on the campaign trail.

And isn’t it amazing how these people go to DC and suddenly get a six-figure income for working less than half a year; but they actually become multi-millionaires or billionaires before they leave office — if they ever do. How does that happen? And why doesn’t anyone ever really ask those questions? Not to mention, the hefty pensions they receive for the rest of their lives if they ever do retire or are somehow “voted out.”

Now, we’re supposed to believe that a majority of voters actually CHOSE to re-hire those who shut down businesses and churches; forced us to wear bacteria-laden facemasks to enter a store, school or use public transportation; conspired with Big Pharma to push a series of KNOWN deadly, de-population shots and show proof of our jab status to enter restaurants, travel or stay in hotels...

Forced these shots into adults lest they lose their livelihoods; forced these shots into our children, rendering them sterile, with serious life-long illnesses and killing others; purposely destroyed our energy independence, causing massive spikes in costs to operate our cars, trucks, trains, planes and ships — not to mention heat our homes; purposely neutered our US military, leaving us virtually defenseless at a time when they’ve ALSO led us to the brink of hot, kinetic war...

Opened our borders to foreign invaders and handed them, on average $4000 a month in “benefits” along with free housing and food, while our senior citizens subsist on $1200 a month; brainwashed our kids to hate their parents and their country; brainwashed our kids until they develop “gender dysphoria — a phenomenon that has risen by 4000% just in the past two years alone; pumped pornography into our schools; cheered sodomites as the most “courageous” among us; have blatantly stated they’re pushing for Marxism, Democratic Socialism and Communism...

Thrust us into an economic depression; have attempted to force us into the Green New Deal; have stolen children from parents; labeled parents who care as “the most dangerous threat to our democracy” — those “domestic terrorists;” imprisoned without charges, without bail and without representation all who dare voice dissent. Sent billions of dollars to Ukraine — one of the most corrupt countries on Earth and the epicenter of money-laundering for the Globalists, Communists and Politicians.

I could go on. Suffice to say, the United States of America has become the laughing stock of the world. We’re now officially a third-world country.... just as Barack Hussein Obama intended, and is now implementing in his “third term.”

In some political races November 8th, the Politicians beat the Communists — but only by less than 1%. In other races, the Communists beat the Politicians by similar margins. If we’re to believe these numbers, presented to us by the Mainstream Media, which 85% of Americans say they do not trust, then this country really IS divided. And perhaps it’s true. Maybe they really HAVE brainwashed half the country to believe that evil is good and good is evil. If that’s the case, it won’t take much longer before every thought of every person is only evil all the time.

This didn’t have to happen. Things didn’t need to be this way. If only we’d stood up — in the “before times” — when “all” we faced was that “slippery slope.” I’ve been warning of this for nearly 25 years now. A few understood and saw this coming too, and some took action. Most thought I was nuts. Especially the pastors, who will have nothing whatsoever to do with me and absolutely HATE our truth-telling newspaper, Wisconsin Christian News. I guess you can lead a person to the truth but you can’t make them think.

Again, this all goes back to the destruction of the American Church. As goes the Church, so goes the Family. As goes the Family, so goes the Nation. Or a simplified version, which I mentioned previously: As goes the Pulpit, So goes the Nation. Either way, it comes down to worldly, carnal compromise, cowardice from the pulpit and the invasion of our “churches” by demonically-influenced lost souls, who were never counseled, discipled and trained for the work of the ministry, but rather simply catered to just as they were, in their sin.

This was followed by the “seeker friendly” movement in which pastors began to tailor their sermons to soothe the consciences of the lost sinners, allowing them to remain in their carnal lifestyles and unrepentance. So instead of pastors preaching the whole Word of God leading to the salvation of souls, pastors have allowed the unrepentant sinners in the audience to dictate what was preached from the pulpit, which of course, is apostasy. Reverence for God was lost in the process. Respect for God and Country is dead now. Biblical illiteracy is rampant. Only a small remnant remains, as described in Matthew 7:14.

The Remnant has been shouting 2 Chronicles 7:14 from the rooftops. Even the cowardly preachers will quote it, in their hypocrisy. But it has little to none effect anymore... it’s become just something we say, with no intention of ever really doing: “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

I’d also recommend studying Deuteronomy, which contains the wisdom of the final words of Moses. But as you do so, understand that we are now in the place where the people of our land have forgotten God. We’ve done exactly what Moses warned us NOT to do. For the most part, Americans have shunned God, spit in His face at every opportunity. Even as He’s blessed this country with abundance and wealth, luxury and ease, as He’s not only given us all we need, but abundantly more than we need, we have pridefully cursed Him, denied Him, and followed false teachers in our churches who preach doctrines of demons. Thus, we have so-called “Christian” churches now promoting sodomite “marriage,” “drag queen” performances and pagan ceremonies of all types. We’ve set up idols to Satan in our cities and towns, we’ve allowed the murder of our children, first through abortion, now through the death shots. And we’ve done so with pride.

While most Americans still claim to be Christians, few have any depth of knowledge of God’s Word, and few truly follow Christ. If we did, we’d be causing “no small stir” in this nation; we’d be turning the world upside down for God, as the early disciples did, rather than blending in to the carnality and ignorance of the heathen.

Now that our US Justice system and every 3-letter agency has been openly weaponized against Christians, the “chilling effect” of that will only thin the remnant further... even fewer will now be willing to resist the devil, for fear of imprisonment, persecution and losing their “stuff.” I’m happy to tell you, I am one who will stand firm ‘til the end. I’ve stood firm through all that’s happened so far, and I plan to finish the race well, even if the Communists and Politicians require my head in a basket. What do I — or any of us who truly follow Christ — have to lose? Philippians 1:21, “For me to live is Christ, an to die is gain.”

So, sorry folks, you didn’t get the “red wave” you were hoping for. Sorry to have to tell you that you’ve been chasing after the wrong Savior... Meanwhile, for those who can understand...Philippians 4:4-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Prepare for persecution, and pray without ceasing.

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We are surounded by Judas Isacariot everywhere.

May God have mercy and forgive.

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Its so bad now, that if a person grows up trying to be good in society (even though we know, that we are not good) and naively believes that others must be doing the same too (because, isn't it just logical? That we should all try to be good, so that the world will get better and therefore, that people everywhere would all be thinking like this) then that person just ultimately ends up feeling betrayed by everyone in their society, when finally learning to see and accept the truth. Some people, it seems, pretend and act as if they are really trying to be good but it seems that's not what most people actually do. It seems that while (perhaps?) most seem to be just pretending, others don't even bother and just make it known in various ways, that they are openly and arrogantly opposed. That this is the state of the current Western society, can be a rude awakening for anyone who thought (and naively believed) it to be different. And eventually, when after enough time of hoping, one sees the impending doom that is coming down onto this society, you can't even feel bad for people anymore. Feeling bad for people just seems like it would be wrong, because what's coming, is coming because it's justified and it's people's own doing (choices). Looking back at trying to warn people, about for instance not taking the poison injections, shows that no matter what one could say, the ones who were going to get it ended up getting it either way. There was nothing that could be said to them to stop them. The more you try to warn them, the more determined they seemed to become to get it and they did. It's like there was nothing one could do to stop them, which it seems, may have been the case/ And now it's too late for people who did. Once someone is injected, they cannot be un-injected, once it's in, its in. Everything that happens, happens for a reason. People were not created with "flaws", as so many like to claim in order to try and shift the blame for their bad deeds (or, that they are just bad because, you know, we are "only human after all", which is just another lie). The flaws/faults that people/we have, are all of their/our own making. We do it to ourselves. It's all about choices and everyone is responsible for their own soul (TWHOFTF). However, trying to warn people is still worth it, for those who might heed it due to already having doubts (Father warning them/us from within). And in doing so, we at the same time end up warning ourselves too, because we have to think about what we are warning others about. Warning another while not heeding that yourself would be hypocritical. So in striving to warn others, we also warn ourselves. But for those who reject faith, it makes no difference whether they are warned, they will not believe.

Sura 2
2:6. As to those who reject Faith, it is the same to them whether thou warn them or do not warn them; they will not believe.
2:7. The "I AM" hath set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing, and on their eyes is a veil; great is the penalty they (incur).

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Ezekiel 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the "House of Israel": therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
3:18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked [man] shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
3:19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. King of kings' Bible - Ezekiel

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This is where I have always gone wrong, this kind of thinking, then reality shocks :roll_eyes:

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Good day Nam,
Awareness of The Way home or face The Fire 2:47, solves it.
("Remember where you are." - The Lord)
Peace be upon you.

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Thank You.

Amen.

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You're welcome.

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