A hypocrite, is a stage player, actor, dissembler, in respect to religion. One who pretends to be what they are not; those who have the form of godliness without the power; or who assumes an appearance of piety and virtue, when he is destitute of true religion. One who assumes a false appearance.
Job 8:13, “So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish: When a person is warned or danger, they need to get away from it. A bird would instinctively avoid a visibly spread nets.
But a fool will rush into that net of danger, be it for pleasure or financial gain, some succeeding in the very schemes that will destroy them.
1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Those who are careless, will not only fail to reach their goals, but usually seal their own destruction. The distinguishing trait of the godless is they “Forget God.”
Psalms 9:17, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalms 50:22, “Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.”
Job 13:16, “He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.” Do we depend on the Lord for our justification and our salvation, these being the two things hoped for. “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:” Do you desire to vindicate yourself before God? A hypocrite would have no desire to come before the Lord in judgment.
Job 15:34, “For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery.” The binding together of hypocrites, or the wicked, shall be fruitless.
Empty men, their whose for material things is to satisfy their desires, greed, pride, and values. The corrupting of a nation begins with its leaders. Those who trust in wealth, and power, when gained dishonestly, trust in vanity.
Job 20:5, “That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment.”
Psalms 37:35-36, “I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea I sought him, but he could not be found.”
Job 27:8, “For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?” Gained, is opposed to “taken away.” As a prodigal would rob his heirs, or the miser robs himself. What good is a man’s wealth if gained by dishonest means? for his final reward come’s when God takes away his life.
Job 36:13, “But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath:” The hypocrite is a distinct class from the openly wicked. They feed their wrath against God, instead of crying out to Him. They therefore heap up the wrath of God against themselves. The Lord will bind, and hinder them with the chains of distress, grief, and pain.
Proverbs 11:9, “An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour:” People with their lips, destroying their neighbors, dishonestly tricking them into doing evil, or foolish things, by pretending to be kind and good. Their is no tongue more destructive than one that gives false praise, thus feeding a person’s pride.
Isaiah 9: 16-17, “For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed. Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly.”
Leaders who are oppressors, and those who extortort! Those who are right-minded according to the standard of truth and justice, or the will of God, can be led away by these men. A wicked and lying minister is the worst of all. The Lord will deal harshly with them, for their ways have been corrupted.
Isaiah 33:14, “The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites.”
The profane false teachers of religion dwelling among the elect of God! A hypocrite in his final hours of life, will fear death, he knowing that his acts have provoked God in his lifetime. He has glorified himself, worshipping life itself, indulging in false religious activities, thus tempting God.
Isaiah 32:6, “For the vile person will speak villainy, (those who are extreme depraved, atrociously wicked) and his heart will work iniquity, to practice hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.”
These men in their folly will speak, then present and put into action their newly hatched schemes. The more they plot their evil, the more there is of Satan in them. The more passion they show, the more blasphemous language they speak against the Lord.
Matthew 6:2, “Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
Verse 1, of Matthew 6, the warning, “Take heed,” so those who read, hear. Do not sound your own horn, or trumpet as it is written, when giving to the Lord’s work.
Don’t act from under a mask pretending to be something other than what you really are; those wanting to appear godly, special, charitable, good men, glorying in themselves, washed on the outside, but filthy on the inside. Their glory is with men.
Matthew 6:5, “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
The Jewish prayer was long, repetitious, and was done in a standing position. When you pray, don’t draw attention to yourself, taking advantage of large groups, looking to present yourself as holy, this is vanity, looking for the esteem and applause of the audience.
Matthew 6:16, “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.”
Fasting should be done in private and should be voluntary. There were those who went around disfiguring their faces, looking sorrowful, seeking praise, pity, and personal satisfaction.
It was not the deed of fasting, but the reputation for the deed which they desired. The more they were praised, the more they fasted, heaping upon themselves the glory of men, but God will give them their just reward. This is the trump card they have played in order to gain glory, or power among the church.
Matthew 7:4-5, “Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”
Are you one who points a finger of criticism at your fellow Christians for living in sin when you yourself are in sin? These people are unfit to show the way of life to others, when they themselves are walking in the way of death. Should a men who is begging for money, criticize others for not working.
Should one say, “I don’t go to church because the people who do go are hypocrites? But he himself never studies God’s word, or spends one moment in prayer. These people always criticize, yet can not take criticism themselves. They may not want to spend one Sunday with a few who may be hypocrites, but they are willing to spend eternity with every hypocrite who ever lived.
In the whole of our society at large, I often ask myself, is there any one left that will ever take any blame on to themselves? It appears every one claims to be innocent; this among a people immersed in crime, and corruption.
Matthew 15:7-8, “Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, this people draws nigh unto me with their mouth, and honors me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”
Instead of the precepts of God, those given by the prophets, many worship externally, and not by rule, or a heartfelt love for God, the form of worship that God desires.
They will eventually be unmasked by the Lord, and should be unmasked by us. And when found out, they should be exposed; this in turn may lead to their salvation. The true worship of God consists of a total uniting of our hearts to His, and where not one spot of disloyalty to God can be found.
Matthew 16:1-2-3, “The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him (Jesus) that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, when it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, it will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?”
The simplicity of purpose and of careful observation in the signs of approaching events which can be seen in the everyday common events would have enabled the Pharisees and the Sadducees to discern the signs of the times, to which the prophets pointed, underscoring, and pointing to the manifestation of Christ.
They were not asking for a sign, but were really asking for more signs, tempting Jesus, yet ignored the signs that were already among them. Some bring the Scepter having already departed from Judah. Daniel’s sixty-ninth week had concluding, the doctrines of Jesus, and the miracles He had worked among them.
But they refused to hear and believe, continuing in darkness. The storm was fast approaching, it pouring out upon them God’s revenge, his wrath sweeping them away from off the face of the earth.
They were pretenders, giving a false impression, thus tempting God, seeming to have his words, and with great ceremony doing the things written in the law. This so they might verify themselves to the people, appearing to be God’s arm. These were not their true motives, and the Lord read their hearts, for He knew their design was to betray, and eventually destroy him.
We can see the signs of the times, the storm is fast approaching. take heed to yourselves, for the time is short, the return of the Lord is near. Make yourself ready so He may find you approved, than to be taken up to be with the Lord forever; what a glorious beginning.
Matthew 22:18, “Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?” This saying must have confused these men, they had been found out. It is said, “He who caresses you more than he is accustomed to do, has either deceived you, or is about to do it.”
The Pharisees and Herodian’s had been exposed by the Lord, they became confused and angry. This would lesson their influence over the people. They did not seek further information concerning the meaning of Jesus words, but now their hearts turned hateful, and their purpose was to ensnare or trap him in a breach of law. The goal, bring Him to trial, and find Him guilty.
Matthew 23:13-16, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
“For ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!”
As a person would unlock the door to their homes in order to gain entrance, so also does the knowledge of Scriptures, they opening the doors to the kingdom of heaven. This is not the key to open knowledge, but knowledge as the only key to open heaven.
Teacher’s who are destitute of knowledge, shut up the kingdom. They fill the positions of those who are qualified and should be teaching. They stand in the way of truth, and of people acquiring saving knowledge. When a false teacher dies, his keys should be hung on his headstone, because he dies childless.
In Matthew 23, “The kingdom of heaven,” is the Gospel of Christ. The Pharisees would not receive it themselves, they in turn preventing the common people from receiving it.
The statement, “you compass sea and land,” is the same as saying, “You leave no stone unturned.” False teachers will do everything in their power to gain converts; not to God, but to themselves, or their organization.
They are the children of hell, excessively wicked; those who would proclaim hell as their mother, and the devil as their father. These men are the scabs of the church, hindering the understanding of Scripture, they themselves not understanding the doctrines laid down before them. They blaspheme the history that Scripture presents, God’s covenant, His church, and the Lord himself.
Hypocrites say whatever it takes to gain an advantage. An advantage over the helpless, the poor, their condition, the Widowed, the sick, these are the people they target.
Widow’s having come into money by an inheritance, or insurance, are hunted by these men. Men without compassion, hypocrites, scheming to covet that which is not theirs. How? by their lying tongues, and false promises.
They speak flattering words, distorting everything. They gain control of the weak, helpless, and lonely. The scriptures call this form of gain, “filthy lucre.”
What a life-like description of preachers, and teachers today. T.V. is their medium, personal wealth power and motives. Gain through good showmanship, well dressed, good looking, smooth talking, fined tuned liars. Filled with pride, lust, and a insatiable appetite for status, and personal wealth.
They are to be suspected, when every word from their mouth concerns money. The message, “the more you send, the more the Lord will reward and bless you.” They distract by appearing to do wondrous healing, praying with the lips and not from the heart. Sweet singing, Hollywood atmosphere, always making you feel guilty something, pointing fingers, and of course, your constant need of salvation, even if you have already been saved. They fill the public with guilt.
They are well schooled in good showmanship, entertaining for profit. Taking most, if not all, that the poor have to offer, feeling no guilt in leaving them destitute, alone and sorrowful. When the well is dry, than move to a new one. But, as scripture states, “The greater damnation” awaits them.
Matthew 23:27-29, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous, and say, if we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.”
The beauty of these men is on the outside; but, they are full of the bones of their twice dead followers. With all their showmanship, their hearts are full of corruption!
Psalms 5:9, “For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulcher; they flatter with their tongue.” The Lord will strip them naked, and hold up their iniquity in naked color.
They will be witnesses against themselves. They are voluntary servants of deception.
They are heirs to the truth-hating, prophet-killing spirits of their fathers. If they had lived in the days of the prophets, how differently would they have treated God’s word, witnessing to their own, for their words and deeds convict them.
John the Baptist would say to them, “there stands one among you, whom ye know not.”
John lived in the wilderness, wore a garment made of camel’s hair, ate locusts and wild honey, yet did the work he had been sent to do. He mighty words and the work of baptism make the public aware of God’s truths, converting many to the Lord. Compare this to the wealth and life styles of todays so called ministries.
There was a man of great wealth that came to Jesus and asked, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”
Jesus knowing that this man was wealthy said to him, “go and sell that what you have, and give to the poor, and you shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” When the man heard this, he walked away.
Again the people asked Jesus what they should do, He answered, “He that has two coats, let him impart = (give) to him that has none; and he that has meat, let him do likewise.”
If we Christians are pressured or coaxed into giving, or to give because we are made to feel guilty, that is, hypocrisy!
Paul wrote,
2 Corinthians 8:11, “As there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which you have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man has, and not according to that he has not.
For I don’t mean that other men be eased, and you burdened: But by equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want (lack of) that their abundance also may be a supply for your want that there may be equality:
Luke 12:1, Jesus said “unto his disciples first of all, beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” The doctrine of the Pharisees was quite destructive and poisonous.
Leaven (yeast) is both penetrating and has a flowing quality in bread, so was the doctrines of the Pharisees with the people, this being the ground for the comparison.
Luke 11:44, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.”
The Lord tells them they are like hidden tombs, graves that had no distinguishing or outward decorations, having no elevation above the ground.
Those who walked over these graves had no idea of the decay that lye beneath them. If a person should walk over a grave that was concealed from view, he would be ceremonially defiled. So under the veil of hypocrisy, they covered their iniquities.
1 Timothy 4:1-2, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”
The Holy Spirit spoke by the prophets in the Church and also by Paul, they spoke openly. Some men heard, and yet depart from Christianity, renouncing the whole system. They then brought in false doctrines, leaving in their wake, the truth null and void.
In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first,” this being the apostasy of the Jews from God. They united with pagan Roman, and the church came under a savage persecution.
This is the groundwork on which the prophecy rises. In Timothy, the prophecy is connected with Gnostic errors, the seeds of which had already been sown in the Church.
2 Timothy 2:18, “Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already: and overthrow the faith of some.”
These who fell away were giving heed to seducing spirits, this being the finished work of false teachers; the spirit of error, which is opposed to the spirit of truth.
The Holy Spirit, speaking through the Prophets, speaks against false teachers. They teach the doctrines of devils, they are the ministers of Satan.
They having their own conscience seared, professed to lead others to the truth, yet their words are defiled. Faith and a good conscience are joined, so also is hypocrisy and a bad conscience!
A seared conscience is to have extreme insensibility. Men branded with the consciousness of their crimes. Aware of their hypocrisy, yet devote themselves to the seduction of others. A seal can be used in both a good and bad way. To use it to brand someone is to use it in the wrong way. This image is taken from the branding of slaves and criminals.
The hypocrite consists of two people, the first is natural, keeping to himself; the second is artificial. The second wears a mask, puts on a false appearance, and pretends to be what they are not. It is said, the hypocrite has not put off the old man, but has put on the appearance of a new man over the old.
Phillip LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com