Bible Studies
THE SIN OF HYPOCRISY
Matthew 23:25-39; Isaiah 1:10-15
“For the congregation of the hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery” (Job 15:34).
The hypocrites, leaders in the church, were not prepared for a devout worship of God. They were for show – to be seen of men, to be held in esteem for high office, to retain position and honour. Jesus in His days, did not spare them. Christ pronounce eight benedictions on the truly righteous at the beginning of His ministry, in the sermon on the mount, He also at the close, brought on perverse and unbelieving Pharisees and hypocrites in the church. To be sure we also have hypocrites in the church today.
DESCRIPTION OF HYPOCRISY
Matthew 6:1-8; Luke 11:41; 12:33; Isaiah 3:16
Hypocrisy is an act or practice of feigning to be what you are not especially the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion. It is, therefore described as acting a lie. It often involves self-deception. A hypocrite is not a Christian. If he was even born again, he must have backslidden and lost his relationship with the Lord. Hypocrites are often tolerated in the church because of the difficulty of finding them out; The tares have to grow with the wheat until the harvest.
But what is the identity of hypocrites in the church?
Hypocrite is a living lie. He acts lies. All those who teach others to give sacrificially while they stock up their bank accounts are hypocrites. All those who teach others what they barely practice are hypocrites. Hypocrites in the church will be very careful not to offend an acquaintance with a harsh phrase, and yet they will ruin him if they can outwit him in a business transaction. They punctually perform church ordinances and totally disregard the will of God and the obligations of obedience. Hypocrites read the Bible but he never strives to regulate his life according to God’s holy word.
He is more than a pretender. His actions, looks and conducts are just a garment for show, a mask. The hypocrite cares only for the appearance of piety; he had no desire to be really holy. He does this to earn an office in the church. A hypocrite is more damaging to the cause of Christ than the backslider or vilest sinner. Why? It is because they are tares growing with the wheat and in the process destroy some wheat.
John Milton in the paradise lost said; “for neither men nor angel can discern hypocrisy; the only evil that walk visible, except to God alone”.
Of the hypocrites in the church the bible says, he is self-righteous (Isaiah 65:5); he is vile (Isaiah 32:6); he glories in appearance only (2Corinthians 5:12); he is covetous (Ezekiel 33:31); he loves preeminence (Matthew 23:6-7); and he is unsparingly by dogmatic (Mark 7:3-5).
DANGER OF HYPOCRISY
Proverbs 11:1,9; Isaiah 3:17-24; John 8:13-17
The fear of eternal doom looms large over the head of the hypocrite. Hypocrite in the church constitute a great danger to the simple innocent Christian especially babes in the kingdom. By their hypocritical acts they put stumbling blocks in the way of children and humble person in the house of God (Matthew 18:6-7). Besides, hypocrisy has an awfully destructive effect on the church. Wrong persons are placed over the right people – the people of God.
The consequence is bad example from the people from the pulpit; and that little leaven invariably leavens the whole lump. The doom of hypocrite in eternal perdition is most frightening; all hypocrites in God’s house will be condemned except they repent before it is too late.
CURE FOR HYPOCRISY
Hypocrisy is a deadly disease which unfortunately is difficult to diagnose except by God or hypocrite himself. Besides, it is also expose when it comes under the microscopic X-ray of the word of God.
The hypocrite to be totally free, he must repent genuinely and come back to God in full restoration. He needs to resolves that whatever he does must be done as unto the Lord. He needs to practice the abiding presence of the Lord and do all only things he would do if the Lord were physically present with him. He must resolve that my nay will be nay; and yea will be yea. For a thorough and enduring work, there is need to go back to the Calvary, where you will receive sight and be seen the way sees you.
Akinbowale Isaac Adewumi
www.devinehome.blogspot.com
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