“He definitely is the biggest hypocrite in the country” — Quote from Maxime Bernier leader of a political party campaigning for the Prime Minister’s office. In its editorial section of the Ottawa Sun a clown is balloon twisting the word “sorry” over and over again in a cartoon caricature of Justin Trudeau.
Most of us understand hypocrisy to mean double face. In the Greek hypokrites, signifies “stage actor, pretender, dissembler.” A hypocrite is a person who pretends to be a certain way, often seeking peoples approval, but in reality a fraud who does it for self-serving purposes. Though it has become common practice for leaders to wear masks to fool their audience, in private they are not always what they purport to be. Few are as sincere as they claim, even after multiple apologies are made, telling of their indiscretions, confidence has waned considerably in our public servants.
The Bible says a great deal about hypocrisy. The Bible teaches that the root of hypocrisy is the fear of man. A good example of this were the Pharisees in first century Palestine. The Pharisees were a small group of religious leaders who sought to influence the Jews with their faulty doctrine. Jesus would often correct their teachings which led people into an overly strict way of life. This angered these zealots enough for them to make false accusations against Jesus, seeking His death. One time, when Christ had cast out a demon, the Pharisees charged Him with being in league with the Devil. Jesus pointed out their pretentious ways , and warned His apostles about their teachings and influence.
In our day, if someone calls another a Pharisee; he is telling him that he is a hypocrite. Christians should should not be two-faced. We should be truthful in all our dealings with man. Truth is always in fashion, and right on all occasions. Pretension should be left to magicians and illusionists. The Lord desires truth in our inward parts and that should be what characterizes us if we seek to honour Him. We run afoul of this very thing whenever we try to be something or someone that we are not in an attempt to please people by false words and actions, when, in fact, we hope our real motives lay hidden from ever being discovered, Evil men have done this for centuries. It is not new and we should not be surprised when it happens. Albeit Christians seek to remain free from this corrupting sin, lying ways can turn up in relationships where someone might point out that their partner cannot be trusted to tell the truth anymore. Hard as that may sound, we are self-deceived, if we think our sins can be concealed from God, since everything is seen by God. God sees and knows our innermost thoughts and intentions before we even put them into action. Scripture assures us that anything that is hidden will be uncovered.
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 (Luke 12:2,3).
One day every insincerity or indiscretion will be brought into the light of judgment. Our hearts need to be cleanse and made right with God. Jesus Christ came preaching the truth, and the Pharisees hated Him for it. The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us that our hearts are corrupt.
The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand it. (Jer.17:9)
May the Lord lead you into His truth to help you see your need for forgiveness. He gave His life on the cross to bring you the truth about your lost condition and teach everyone that salvation can be found in Him alone. Jesus said:
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6