Hypocrisy

I think the word is thrown around far too often.  But that’s my opinion.  To be sure we know of what we speak of, let’s first define what is, so we know what isn’t.

Hypocrisy- 1. feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not; especially: the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion (m-w.com).

Hypocrite- 1. a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion  2. a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings (m-w.com).

Jesus identifies those who:

• make an show of their acts of goodness, doing so for their own glory, hypocrites because one's who in service to God will do so for His glory (Mt 6:2, 5, 16; Lk 6:42; Mt 23:5-7). 
• ignore their own blindingly obvious sin, but attempts to point out another’s sin hypocrites (Mt 7:5). 
• honor the Lord with their lips, but hearts are far from him hypocrites, as well as those who merely adhere to religious practices instead of seeking a genuine relationship with him (Mt 7:5).
• ask questions only to entrap and provoke, instead of asking them out of a sincere desire to learn the truth hypocrites (Mt 22:18).
• (in Mt 23) don’t practice what they preach (v.3), burden people with religion (v.4, 15) choose to observe only part of God’s word (v. 23), are more concerned with how they appear than how they are (v. 25-28), and persecute -and even put to death- those who speak the truth and are righteous (v. 29-36) hypocrites.
• interpret ‘signs’ hypocrites (Mt 24:51).
• routinely disobeyed the law, but criticized him for seemingly doing the same hypocrites (Lk 13:15).

Jesus also identifies hypocrisy as something we need to be on guard for and rid ourselves of -if found; it’s an evil corruption that works its way through and permeates like yeast (Lk 12:1; 1 Pe 2:1).  Like David, we shouldn’t consort with hypocrites because bad company corrupts good character (Ps 26:4; 1 Co 15:33).  And the Lord lets us know explicitly that there’s a place set aside for hypocrites (Mt 24:51). 

Although the dictionary also defines hypocrisy as a mere act of hypocrisy, based on scripture we see that it is more an attribute or feature that makes up and distinguishes an individual. In other words it’s based in a person’s character.  Hypocrisy is seen as being a main or central part of their nature in scripture (m-w.com).  For us to call someone a hypocrite is a serious accusation.  (Remember, to accuse is to exhibit a character trait of Satan; Rev 12:10.)  But Jesus Christ, the Word himself, was more than justified.  Coming from him, it was not an accusation, but a judgment.

And lest you get beside yourselves unbelievers, those who have a false virtue or religion may be called hypocrites. But the Bible calls people who have no religion

…other things.