Jesus warned his people to beware of hypocrisy (Luke 12:1). Hypocrisy means to pretend to be someone you’re not, and it is one of the great enemies of the Christian life. The word “hypocrite” originally meant an “actor.” A hypocrite puts on a mask in order to make others think he is someone that he is not.
Hypocrisy is something most people find annoying. A hypocrite says one thing and does another; he talks a big game but doesn’t walk it out. He says, “Do as I say, not as I do.”
Hypocrisy shows a lack of integrity. A hypocrite might be lying. Maybe he doesn’t really believe what he is saying he believes, and that’s why he doesn’t do it. On the other hand, a hypocrite might be very weak so he cannot live according to his own standards. He knows what to do, but does the opposite because of the power of his flesh.
We can avoid hypocrisy through the Holy Spirit because then we can overcome the limitations of our flesh. We can also be honest, because we are living to please God, not people.
Jesus says hypocrisy goes deeper than a disconnection between words and actions. He says hypocrisy is actually a disconnect between words and the heart (Mark 7:6). A hypocrite says one thing but his heart is somewhere else.
Our heart is comprised of our desires, thoughts, and emotions.
We may desire things that are not according to God.
We may think thoughts that are not in line with God’s word.
We may have emotions that are not according to God.
But we wear a mask over our hearts so no one really knows what’s going on inside.
When we plaster over our hearts with a mask and appear differently than we really are on the inside, then we are acting.
God wants our insides changed to be according to his word. Desire good things. Think godly thoughts. Have emotional responses that are according to God.
When our hearts are in line with God, then we can let what is inside out, and we can be a blessing to others. Then we will live with integrity and be at peace.
Sometimes we need healing for our hearts. God will search our hearts and expose what is inside of us. This can happen through challenges we go through in life. When this happens, our hearts are exposed and then we can get deliverance.
God knows everything about us, so there is no point in trying to hide things from him. We want to live in the light. We confess our sins to God, and then he will forgive us and cleanse our hearts.
When we find trustworthy and mature people in the body of Christ, we can be honest before them about things we’re struggling with. They can pray for us so our hearts can be healed (James 5:16).
We don’t want to condemn our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ when we find out what they’re struggling with. When we judge others harshly, we encourage them to wear a mask. Instead, we want to love them and understand that God already knows all about them. We want masks to come down. When we know people according to the Spirit, we will not be harsh and judgmental. Instead we will be patient. When someone shares a struggle with us, we can respond in love and mercy because God was merciful to us.
God wants us to drop our masks. In heaven there will be no masks, and everything will be laid bare. God wants us to live in light of eternity now. As we experience a foretaste of heaven now, we will be open with God and with each other. When there is openness, there must be a response of love and mercy. Then hypocrisy can be greatly reduced.
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