Hypocrisy

Do not associate with hypocrites-(Psalm 26: 4)-I do not spend time with liars or go along with hypocrites.The Church does not associate with vain persons, or dissemblers. This is a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives. The reason the Church does not associate is because the Church lives in the Spirit and in truth. They can not co-exist with deception or falsehood.

• God hates hypocrisy in worship-(Isaiah 29: 13)-And the Lord says, "These people say they are mine . They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away. And their worship of me amounts to nothing more than human laws learned by rote."

What this verse is saying is that a hypocrite speaks falsely saying that they love the Lord, however, they have removed their hearts far from Him. Their fear toward Him is taught by the precept of men. They do not live by what they speak of. When we love the Lord our God, we love Him with all our hearts, all our minds, and all of our souls. We live by His commands, in all honesty. We respect what He asks of us. Living in Spirit and in truth is far more than just merely observing earthly laws. It is removing deception, hatred, jealousy, envy, strife, murder, and the like. It is having and showing Love both for God and His creation. And loving our neighbors as we love ourselves.

• Hypocrites pretend to be devoted to God-(Ezekiel 33: 31-32)-So they come pretending to be sincere and sit before you listening. But they have no intention of doing what I tell them. They express love with their mouths, but their hearts seek only after money. You are very entertaining to them, like someone who sings love songs with a beautiful voice or plays fine music on an instrument. They hear what you say, but they don't do it!

There are people that go into a Church or congregation, that pretend to want to live right by God, but their intent is to live as they please. They do not obey God's commands, or live by them. They speak as though they love God, but, in their hearts, they have only material gain and interest for their lives. The Church leader, pastor, teacher, prophet or preacher is only an entertainment to them, they just like to hear what we have to preach, say, or teach. They do not live by what is being taught.

• God finds hypocrites repulsive-(Matthew 23: 27-28)-"How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! you are like whitewashed tombs--beautiful on the outside-but filled on the inside with dead people's bones and all sorts of impurity. You try to look like upright people outwardly, but inside your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and (iniquity) lawlessness. "

Hypocrisy is living in deception in that they are pretending to be clean, just, and pure, however, when the Lord looks into each and every one of their hearts what he sees is lies, deception, hatred, jealousy, envy, murder, strife, disrespectful to parents, disobedience of all sorts--the Lord compares it to a sepulchre-a grave with dead people in it--death, decaying, impurities--nothing that should exist in the heart of a true servant.

• Beware of hypocrisy in your life-(Luke 12: 1-2)-Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and crushing each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees--beware of their hypocrisy. The time is coming when everything will be revealed; all that is secret will be made public."

This is a warning against hypocrisy to the Church. Jesus saw that in the Pharisees-how they would live to appear to be one thing but behind closed doors, in secret they lived the opposite. He also warned that there would be a time when everything would be exposed--the truth would be revealed, and any deceit be uncovered. The Lord wants us to live honestly, reverently, and justly. Most of all he does not want us to give into hypocrisy.

• Hypocrites are worthless-(Titus 1: 16)--Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are despicable and disobedient, worthless for doing any good.

Nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are defiled (desecrate or profane). What this means is that they have turned their backs on the truth. They are rotted and of no value to God since God is love, truth, honesty, justice.

• Get rid of hypocrisy-(1 Peter 2: 1)-So get rid of all malicious behavior and deceit. Don't just pretend to be good! Be done with hypocrisy and jealousy and backstabbing.

We really need to put away all evil acts and lies. We cannot go on pretending to be good, but really being fake, jealous of other's blessings, and speaking in a way to hurt another's reputation, lying, and speaking negatively especially of our brother's and sister's in Christ when they are not around to defend themselves. Singling innocent people out, oppressing, and cowardly turning others against them for your own gain. This is detestable to God, and He will be sure to punish those who partake in this type of behavior. So, I hope that all who read this study are careful not to let hypocrisy into their lives and seek the Lord's help through prayer and supplication for strength, purity, honesty, and holiness. The Lord be with you all! Amen!