The Hypocrisy that Hinders Us

 In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Lk 12:1-7).

As the crowd grew and the ministry prospered Jesus seized an opportunity to teach His disciples an important lesson about true discipleship. Growing up into Christ is not about public appearance but it's about the private, inner transformation that's taking place in the heart as we become more like Christ and reflect His image to the world around us… “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Our primary enemy in this perfecting process is hypocrisy. In this brief discourse Jesus revealed three indispensable virtues that lead to victory over the hypocrisy that hinders us.

Hypocrisy is conquered when we pursue Integrity – be consistent with Christ: Jesus taught here that there should be no difference in our public and personal lives. If we agree with the truth of God’s Word that Christ lives in us and He is working within us to make us more like Him, then we should consistently seek and apply His truth to every part of our lives. We do this corporately through fellowship, worship, and Bible study; and we do this privately in Bible study and prayer… “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13). Hypocrisy is overthrown as we consistently obey God’s Word.

Hypocrisy is crushed when we fear no man – be confident in Christ: Jesus taught here that we should fear no person, place, or thing but God. If we agree with the truth that God is absolutely sovereign over every particle of His creation, including every bit of our lives, then there is no room for fearing anything else beside Him. When we consider the depth of love that God has for us because we are His children… “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1), we know we can be confident in Him as our loving Father… “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love” (1 John 4:18). Hypocrisy is overshadowed by confidence in God’s love that conquers our hearts.

Hypocrisy is clobbered when we accept our worth – be conformed into Christ: Jesus taught here that we are of the highest value in the eyes of God. When the Father looks at His children He sees us through the blood of His Son… “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). When our spouse, our children, our friends, our boss, our bank balance, or any other person or circumstance begins putting us down, God challenges us to see ourselves like He does, created to worship, fellowship, and serve Him as Jesus does… “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10), and to glorify Him as we are being made over into the image of Christ as, “everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made” (Isaiah 43:7). Hypocrisy is overcome as we are conformed into Christ.

As we grow up into Christ, consistent, confident, and conformed in Him, we are delivered from…

The Hypocrisy that Hinders Us.