What does the Bible say about hypocrisy and hypocrites? Quite a bit as a matter of fact.
A hypocrite is defined as someone who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, or principles that they do not actually possess. Someone who is guilty of being a hypocrite will say they believe one thing, yet their actions prove otherwise.
Hypocrites are nothing new. These type of people were obviously easy to find back in the Bible days based on the number of times the words hypocrisy and hypocrite can be found in the Scriptures. So what can people do to qualify themselves as a Christian hypocrite? Let’s take a look in God’s word and find out.
You Might Be A Hypocrite If
You brag to others when you give to the needy
There’s nothing wrong with giving to the needy, but when you do it just so you can brag to others about how generous you are, you might be a Christian hypocrite.
(Mathew 6:2) “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
You pray loud in front of people just to be seen and heard
There will be times for prayer that involve being around others while we pray, such as prayer meetings and during Church services. Sincere prayer to God at these times is a good thing. However, if you pray just to be seen by others, you might be a Christian hypocrite.
(Mathew 6:5) “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
You make it obvious you are fasting
If you do everything possible to let people know when you have a spiritual fast currently in progress, you might be a Christian hypocrite.
(Mathew 6:16) “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. NLT
Your trying to fix your brothers problems before you fix your own
When your blind to the fact you have problems of your own that need fixing, but yet you are consumed with perfecting your fellow Church members, you might be a Christian hypocrite.
(Mathew 7:5) You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Get Rid Of The Hypocrisy
Just as there are today, there were people in the Bible who honored God with their lips, but their hearts were far from him (Mathew 15:7-9). On the outside they gave the appearance of being righteous, but on the inside they were full of hypocrisy and wickedness (Mathew 23:27-29). These people are instructed to rid themselves of their hypocritical ways (1 Peter 2:1).
The Church Is Full Of Hypocrites
At the top of many peoples list of excuses as to why they won’t to go to Church is, in their opinion, the Church is full of hypocrites. Yes, of course you will find some hypocrisy in Christianity. A Church is made up of people. Anytime people are involved, there will be a certain percentage that are not what they claim to be. As one pastor said, “It’s better to go to Church with hypocrites than to go to hell with them.” They will have their reward.
(Mathew 24:51) He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
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