Luke 12:1b: Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
Thayer’s definition of the word used for “hypocrite” in the New Testament includes “an actor, stage player” (G5273). A hypocrite in the biblical sense pretends to be righteous, but is not.
The Pharisees Jesus referred to in Luke 12 demonstrated this. Jesus rebuked them for doing things that appeared righteous on the outside while failing to be clean on the inside (Luke 11:39). They did not respond to His rebuke with repentance, but with arrogant retaliation (verses 53-54). This exemplified their hypocrisy.
Hypocrisy can take on several forms.
Probably the most common picture of a hypocrite is one who criticizes others’ sins, but overlooks his or her own. Jesus spoke against this in Matthew 7. Verse 5 of the chapter says, “You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.” The hypocrite pretends to revere God by charging others to obey but does not really care about pleasing God, as shown by his or her own actions.
Hypocrisy also manifests itself in doing things that appear righteous, but doing so with an unrighteous motive.
Consider the scribes and Pharisees who did all their works “to be seen by men” (Matt. 23:5). When praying in public, for example, these hypocrites might use “vain repetitions” to appear wise, but they did not really pray from the heart. Such is hypocrisy (Matt. 6:7; cf. Matt. 6:5; 23:14). It is an example of “honoring” Jesus with the lips, while the heart is far from Him (Mark 7:6).
Romans 12:9 commands, “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”
The phrase “without hypocrisy” in Romans 12:9 indicates that we must not just pretend to love others, but truly care for their well-being.
The wisdom of the world may teach that it is hateful to speak against any action that “makes someone happy,” regardless of whether such is in accordance with God’s commands. As Jesus walked the earth, though, He never approved (or pretended to approve) of sin. He was not spiteful in His approach, but He also did not sugar-coat truth. This exemplified the sincerity of His love (cf. Mark 10:21).
More generally, hypocrisy can exist when individuals claim to be Christians but do not live Christian lives. “Acting” the part of a Christian only during the assembly of the saints or when someone asks “what is your religion?” is far from the lifestyle of obedience God commands (Rom. 12:1).
Christians are commanded to lay aside hypocrisies (1 Pet. 2:1).
And if we are ever discouraged by someone who claims to be a Christian but does not follow Christ’s steps, know that this is not a problem with God or His Word. Rather, it is in spite of what God promotes through His Word.
As discouraging as such hypocrisy can be, it is no excuse for those who witness it to not obey God. He does not call us to follow the hypocrite, but to follow Him.
Know also that there are some who really are doing their best to obey God. They constantly examine themselves to see where improvement is needed, and repent when sin is discovered. They desire to please Him above all. May we do likewise and sincerely serve God.
– Michael Hickox