HYPOCRISY

Many outside the faith have concluded that all Christians are 'hypocrites'. No accusation is more disturbing to those who genuinely love the Lord. 

An unsaved world aggressively looks for signs of disingenuous behavior in those who say they believe in God. Sadly, today's church has drifted so far from Biblical truth that finding fault is easy.

Jesus calls out religious 'pretenders to the faith' ... These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. In vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:8-9)

Their hypocrisy is on full display ... They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for doing anything good. (Titus 1:16)

This is what the lost use to justify their atheistic moorings.

From Scripture, we can draw two conclusions: 

1. Hypocrites dwell among the true followers of Christ. They were present in the early church and according to this parable, they will continue to exist until the end of the age ... Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather up first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn. (Matthew 13:30) 

2. We must be on guard against this growing end-time delusion. That which seems to be an admirable 'form' of faith is little more than role playing. It is not the inner 'substance' of faith that anchors one's soul. Judgment will come upon those who are not hidden in Christ ... For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

Hypocrisy can also subtly manifest itself in the thoughts, words, or deeds of a born-again Christian. But he is not without divine help. The Holy Spirit will convict him of it and usher him back to the throne of grace. 

You are called to be a light in the darkness. Don't allow sin to cripple your walk of faith and further fuel the unbelief of a lost and dying world. When you stumble, quickly repent and resume your position as an ambassador for the Kingdom of God.