Day 302 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Mark 12:18-40; Matthew 22:23-23:36; Luke 20:27-47; Luke 10:25-37
Avoid Hypocrisy
In recent years, Halloween has become almost as celebrated as Christmas. If you don’t know the American tradition, houses, yards, schools, and businesses are decorated with cute or gruesome pictures, figures, or scenes. For fun, many children, teens, and adults will wear masks for trick or treat, spook houses, and parties—they will be someone they aren’t. In most cases, this is done in fun, and there is much laughter. But if we take off someone’s mask, he may get angry. In today’s Bible reading, we see Jesus exposing the masks of hypocrisy and why that is necessary.
What is a Hypocrite?
Okay, you probably know this, but a hypocrite is a person who portrays himself to be one character. However, in reality, he is someone else. He is hiding behind a mask. Or, hypocrisy is a behavior inconsistent with his morality. Perhaps he pretends to be rich but is poor. Maybe, she appears to be trustworthy with a secret but is not.
If the truth were told, most of us have been hypocrites in our behavior at one time or another. Our best friend, spouse, or children see right through our mask. They see our inconsistent behavior, even if we do not see it ourselves.
It is funny that we sometimes kid ourselves that we can’t be seen. This is almost like a child, all dressed up in costume, who doesn’t think his grandma will know it’s him. And, of course, grandma plays along and is surprised when he says, “Grandma, it’s me!”
We don’t like it when someone pulls our mask off and unveils who we are or our false actions and motives, even if they’re true. We are Superman or Wonderwoman! We are proud. We will lie, justify our behavior, and do almost anything to hide or make our actions seem right.
Here is the good news: “ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9, NIV).
Religious Hypocrisy
I hope you have had credible people to emulate. We would like to think that they wouldn’t be false. But they are human, too, and some are the worst hypocrites. Maybe a pastor is into porn, or his wife racks up the credit card with debt. But, because of their positions, some leaders believe they are above criticism. They may speak boastfully about their behavior, but we know different.
Religious leaders live in “glass houses,” so they can’t fool people very long. People view their lives and see how consistently or inconsistently they live. Leaders, especially spiritual leaders and teachers, are judged more strictly by God (James 3:1). To whom much is given, much is required.In the days of Moses and after that, priests had responsibilities for the spiritual instruction of the Jewish people. Because they set an example for others to follow, they were expected to strictly live what they taught.
Religious leaders in Jesus’ day, however, were hypocritical. They loved their positions and privileges. It is no surprise that they attacked Jesus, the one who spoke the truth. Truth is threatening to hypocrites; it exposes them for who they are, risking their position and respect.
In today’s Bible reading, hypocritical religious leaders continue their attacks on Jesus. What does he do? Besides speaking God’s truth, he tells people how they might identify those wearing pious masks.
While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples,
Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’s houses [apparently for money] and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely. (Luke 20:45-47, NIV)
The religious leaders were a law unto themselves. They ignored God’s laws and nullified them by making up their own traditions. Jesus doesn’t attack ordinary people; they are but sheep. He attacks the false shepherds, the pious leaders. They are the ones who lead the people astray or allow wolves (false teachers) to come into the sheepfold and attack them (John 10:7-13).
Responding to Hypocrisy
Jesus was not political. He was not afraid to offend those in high positions if they were wrong. The Lord exposed evil and evildoers. He cared nothing about gaining favor with them or anyone but God his Father.
Do we wish to curry favor with the ungodly by saying nothing about wrong behavior? Do we fear their paybacks, or do we only care what God thinks? Are we concerned enough about justice and righteousness to expose evil, speak the truth, and attack false teaching? If we don’t do this, succeeding generations may believe our silence means we agree with them. Let’s live with integrity and righteousness and speak out against false teaching.
Discussion
What is a hypocrite, and how is he known?
How are hypocrites exposed? Why should we do it?
Focus Verse
Psalms 40:10 (NIV) “I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.”
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Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Here is my prayer response. Join me if you wish.
Dear Father, You are Holy and Unpretentious. You reveal yourself to those who seek to draw closer to you and welcome us to discover who you are.
Lord, we know that it is your will for us to be honest and open in our dealings. We live in suspicion of others and don’t want to trust them. But we can trust you—you are faithful and true. Provide our daily needs and the courage we need to be genuine and caring in this world. Forgive us for not being open and honest with you and with others and for putting on masks. I pray not to give in to pretentious behavior. Today and every tomorrow, may I live for your glory and praise. Amen
Please send your comments to me, Rodney Harrier
Looking Ahead: Jesus predicts some storms in the future of our world. What Storm Preparations should we make in our life? Find out in our Next Lesson.
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