The sins of hypocrisy

Hypocrisy.  Say the word and undoubtedly some past experience, activity, or person comes to mind.  When we hear that word, we remember the hypocrisy and inconsistencies of others.  We remember their failures and how they sinned against us while purporting to have attained a level of righteousness.  We think of their lives and we look down on their shame.  We read Jesus’ interactions with the Pharisees (men whose hypocrisy is so well-known that their job title has become synonymous with the sin) and we cheer,  “That’s right, Jesus!  You tell them!”

But we are slow to recognize our own propensity towards Pharisaism.  We might cognitively acknowledge that our understanding of Scripture surpasses our obedience, but we fail to see how that attitude can produce willful sin and hardened hearts.

So read Matthew 23 again and instead of standing in judgment of the Pharisees, read the accusations of Jesus as questions to examine your own heart.  These are the various sins of hypocrisy:

• They say and command things and do not do them (v. 3).  Like the man who looks in the mirror and walks away (Js. 1:22-24), they do not recognize the kind of men they are when they read the Word of God.  Do you have a higher standard of conduct for others than yourself?
• They do all their deeds to be noticed by men (v. 5).  When serving Christ, do you look to see if others see you serving?
• They love places of honor — to be called Rabbi (teacher) and father and leader.  And they dislike servanthood and humility (vv. 6-12).  Do you yearn for honor and resist humility?
• They shut off the kingdom of heaven from others because of their own unbelief (v. 13).  Have your sins become stumbling blocks, preventing others from believing?
• They prey on the weak and helpless and are pretentious in their praying and religious activity (v. 14).  Do you care for others? Or do you use others for your own benefit?  Are your religious activities designed to produce humility in yourself or praise from others?
• They find ways to “invalidate” their oaths and promises (vv. 16-22).  They excuse their lying and deceitfulness.  Is your word your bond?
• The keep the letter of the Law but neglect the intent of the Law (vv. 23-24).  Am I just, merciful, and faithful in my quest for obedience to Christ?
• They outwardly conform to the necessities of the Law but they inwardly desire corruption and lawlessness (vv. 25-28).  Do my actions conform to Christ, though my heart does not love Christ?  Do I appear to do what is right while secretly loving and desiring sin?
• They deny their propensity to sin by asserting that they would not have failed as others had (vv. 29-33).  Do I believe I am above all the sins of others?  Do I believe there is some sin into which I would never fall?  Or do I recognize that my flesh will lead me to any sin, apart from the gracious work of the Spirit of God and Word of God in my life?

These are (some of) the sins of hypocrisy.  And they are likely in me far more than I am initially willing to admit.