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. 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 all 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, Jesus tells us to beware of hypocrites. We will look at why they’re more evil than Halloween masks and why we should expose them. Today’s Bible Reading: Mark 12:18-40; Matthew 22:23-23:36; Luke 20:27-47; Luke 10:25-37
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 values. 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 person of 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.Removing the Mask of Hypocrisy
It is funny that we sometimes kid ourselves that we can’t be seen for who we really are. 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: there is forgiveness with God! “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 credit card debts. 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.Beware of Hypocrites
Religious leaders in Jesus’ day were hypocritical. They loved their positions and privileges. It’s 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?