Are we hypocrites? Some people will say we are! Some will say, “I want nothing to do with them, they’re a bunch of hypocrites!”
Sometimes we feel like we are! We feel like we are just going through the motions of the truth, that our heart is not in it.
The Actor
A hypocrite is an actor; both Young’s Concordance and Strong’s give that as the meaning of the Greek word. An actor does things to be seen of men, to receive their applause. The religious actor makes sure people know about his donations and his piety and his self sacrifice (Matt. 6:2,5,16). The objective of his religion is not to be godly but to be considered godly by other people.
This presents something of a dilemma: we often use other people’s opinion of ourselves as a checkpoint to ensure we are living the Truth in everyday life; we want our light to shine before men. However, if we let impressing others become our objective, we run the risk of becoming hypocrites; acting one way when people are looking and another way when they are not.
The solution is to act with integrity, consideration, fairness and holiness in all situations because such conduct is right before God.
Acting Superior
The hypocrite creates the impression that he is spiritually superior and therefore able to help other disciples overcome their weaknesses (Matt. 7:4-5). We can arrange ecclesial rules and schedules so they are convenient for ourselves but very difficult for others. There may be differences in family situations, circumstances at work, or personality traits that mean some things come easily to us but are nearly impossible for another brother or sister. We are hypocritical if we manipulate situations in such a manner that we appear devoted to the truth while others appear negligent.
Hypocrites in Matthew
The gospel of Matthew contains every incident where Jesus uses the word hypocrite. Looking over the pertinent verses expands the Lord’s definition of the term. The hypocrite expresses verbal respect for God but really distains His principles (15:8). He claims to be seeking the Truth but refuses to accept concrete evidence of its veracity (16:1-4). These two characteristics are often found amongst our everyday associates at school or work.
While presenting himself as religious, the hypocrite is heartless to the helpless and circumvents real obedience by convoluted excuses (Matt. 23:14,16). Again, sins which are characteristic of the world around us are noted. Christadelphians may run the danger of being hypocrites but we certainly have no monopoly on the problem.
Not Hypocrites
Sometimes an exhorting brother will feel hypocritical if he expands on a theme that he knows exposes one of his own weaknesses. However, when we exhort one another, we are to set forth what is true and right, not just the principles we feel we are not breaking at the moment. To be truly edifying, the Scripture must be set forth so that God speaks to all —including the one who is presenting the address. When that is done, we will all recognize instances of failure in our lives. That is what the Word is for: to correct, to reprove, to instruct each person in righteousness.
My Heart Is Not In It
Sometimes we feel like hypocrites when we go to the meeting but do not enjoy it, when we sing praise but feel no worship in our hearts, when we give thanks while our minds wander, when we offer prayers that rise no higher than the ceiling, when we feel no enthusiasm for the work of the truth.
So what are we to do when that happens? Stop praying? Stop giving thanks? Stop attending meetings? Take our name off ecclesial duties? Abandon ourselves to the world? Are we to let our fleshly emotions control our destinies? Is this what we should do?
Surely not! If the only time anyone cleaned the hall was when they really felt compelled to do the work, the rooms would sometimes be dirty. If the only time someone visited the sick was when they really looked forward to doing so, most visits would never occur. If the only time we practiced honesty was when we were pleased to do so, our lives would be punctuated with much more deceit than now occurs.
There will be a few times when our hearts are overwhelmed with praise and thanksgiving — when our child has miraculously recovered from illness or we have been spared in a terrible accident. But most of the time the pride that is inherent to the flesh rebels against humble worship of God. During spiritual “highs” in our life, we will feel genuine joy in ecclesial life but during the “lows,” only deliberate determination will keep us going.
Mind Over Heart
There are times when our deliberate actions must overrule our emotions. If that is done, we will find our emotions actually follow our calculated conduct. “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also” is a very useful statement. One only accumulates treasure by the deliberate expenditure of time and effort. The Lord’s point is that if we will deliberately spend our time and effort on godly matters then our hearts will eventually become enthusiastic about godly things. But if we expend our time and effort on homes and cars and jobs and investments and sports and fashion, eventually our hearts will become full of love for such things.
It is true that our actions will reflect the condition of our hearts but it is also true that, if we are concerned, with God’s help, our actions can change the condition of our hearts.
When we are just “going through the motions,” we are not being hypocrites, we are being intelligent disciples deliberately trying to keep our fleshly emotions from costing us eternal life.
Let us not be hypocrites. But just as important, let us not be confused about the issue. Because we miss the mark of upholding God’s standards, we are sinners in need of His grace but we are not necessarily hypocrites. When we force ourselves to do what is right, we are not hypocrites but earnest disciples striving diligently to overcome the waywardness of human nature.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One