We have been working our way through Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” over the past several weeks. One of the things Jesus does in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is call out the hypocritical practices of some of Judea’s religious leaders. One thing that drives seekers away from the church is hypocrisy so let’s take a moment and look at that topic.
Mark 7:6 (NIV) He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
The Greek word ὑποκριταί, or hypokritai, originally referred to stage actors. It was also used to describe someone who was a pretender or dissembler. It is this second definition that we are referring to in modern understandings of hypocrisy. However, you can see how it also relates to its origins with stage actors. When someone is being hypocritical, they are performing in a way.
A hypocrite is a person who performs false beliefs and opinions to conceal real feelings or motives. Hypocrisy may be prompted by the relatively benign desire to fit in. Or perhaps for more malicious reasons, such as manipulation. Let’s start by looking at some different aspects of hypocrisy.
1. Moral Deception. One way a person can demonstrate hypocrisy is by faking compassion or concern to be perceived as a good person. This aspect is very common concerning religious and moral beliefs. Referring to another person as a hypocrite in daily conversation generally means the accused person engages in behavior he or she criticizes in others. In terms of moral psychology, a hypocrite does not follow his or her own stated values.
2. False Pretenses. The concept of hypocrisy is prevalent throughout history. The word is still recognizable from its original Latin form, hypocrita. The Old French language used the terms ypocrisie and ypocrite. Ypocrisie was defined as ‘the sin of pretending to virtue or goodness,’ while ypocrite referred to a ‘false pretender to virtue or religion.’ A modern example is pretending to support a charitable cause in front of others and throwing a brochure or donation envelope in the trash on the way home.
3. Politics. The British political philosopher David Runciman described hypocritical deception as claiming to have knowledge, consistency, loyalty, or identity that one does not possess. Michael Gerson, an American political journalist, defines political hypocrisy as “the conscious use of a mask to fool the public and gain political benefit.” Politicians have been caught engaging in actions that are a direct contradiction of their public campaigning. An example of this is a staunchly conservative politician having an extramarital affair.
4. Biblical Explanation. The teachings of Jesus in the Bible cover the subject of hypocrisy extensively. Jesus described hypocrisy as a pitiable state of reducing one’s self to an actor on a stage. A hypocrite spends his life seeking approval from others. Hypocrisy in the Bible comes from not knowing God. Hypocrites sought applause for their actions because they had no sense of dignity and worth from God. The actions of biblical hypocrites became increasingly desperate and dramatic because the praise they were receiving from others was ultimately hollow.
5. Biblical Influence. The biblical sense of hypocrisy forms a large part of the modern concept. The main goal of hypocrites is to be seen and acknowledged. They appeal to an audience because they have no desire to achieve personal goals on their own. Their inner sense of self is repressed or replaced by the perceived demands of others.
6. Self-Deception. Hypocrisy is considered a form of self-deception. People often choose stances on an issue or make decisions before they search for evidence. This trend is very prevalent concerning divisive political and moral issues. Some people look for evidence to support preconceived positions instead of developing views based on facts. Another common tactic is intentionally creating reasons to dismiss evidence supporting an opposing stance.
7. Perception of Self. Hypocrisy manifests in personal forms of self-deception as well. Many people hold very high opinions of themselves. Humans have a natural inclination to perceive personal achievements more strongly than personal failures. This concept is referred to as a self-serving bias. People tend to rate themselves as above average regarding positive traits such as intelligence or skill. Wealth and social prestige magnify this tendency. However, this isn’t universal, and there are many people with unrealistically low opinions of themselves.
When people who claim to believe the Bible don’t live like they believe it, even though that hypocrisy can’t change the truth of God’s Word, it can make the Bible’s truth look like something which isn’t worth taking seriously. Hypocrisy therefore presents an easy, if illogical, excuse for ignoring what the Bible says. So, it’s no wonder that Jesus Himself hated religious hypocrisy.
If you read Matthew 23, you’ll find that Jesus had some incredibly strong words for the hypocritical religious leaders of his day. Examine the life and teachings of Jesus, and you’ll see that detested hypocrisy.
The Bible tells us that a hypocrite is someone who puts on a mask and pretends to be something he is not. Hypocrisy is to claim to know and follow certain beliefs but to behave in a way that counteracts those beliefs. While we should have the wisdom to discern words and actions that do not match, we also need to remember that God is the ultimate judge of character. Use these Bible verses and scriptures to guide your own behavior.
1 John 4:20 (NIV) Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.
Luke 6:46 (NIV)“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
Luke 12:2 (NIV) There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.
Mark 7:6 (NIV) He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
Titus 1:16 (NIV) They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
Matthew 23:27-28 (NIV)“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
James 1:19-27 (NIV) My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NIV) But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
1 John 2:3-6 (NIV) We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God[a] is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.