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Hypocrisy |
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Hypocrisy
is called duplicity, simulation and falsehood, and is something you, beloved,
must beware of. For Paul says that love must be “without hypocrisy” (Romans
12:9 – NKJV) and Peter says that we must lay aside hypocrisy (1 Peter 2:1). |
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The
hypocrites are those who simulate goodliness, goodness, zeal and other good
qualities; we have an example of hypocrites in the Pharisees who lived in the
days of Jesus. According to what the Scripture says, the Pharisees gave a
tenth of all they got, they travelled land and sea to win one proselyte, they
paid much heed to the outward cleaning for they did not eat unless they
washed their hands in a special way and when they came from the marketplace
they did not eat unless they washed, they did not eat with sinners and tax
collectors lest they should defile themselves, they fasted twice a week, they
sat in Moses’ seat and taught the people, they trusted in themselves that
they were righteous and despised others and they were considered righteous by
the people, but actually they were full of hypocrisy and wickedness because
they themselves did not put into practice what they taught people to do, for
they loved money, they neglected justice, mercy and faith, and they did all
their works in order to be seen by men. And because of their hypocrisy Jesus
said to them: “Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation
of hell [geenna]?” (Matthew |
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Therefore,
take heed to yourselves and beware of all sorts of simulations and duplicities.
Don’t tell others to do what you yourselves refuse to do; and don’t pretend
to be righteous and holy, when you conduct yourselves as the sinners; don’t pretend
to be generous or willing to give an offering, when you are covetous; don’t pretend
to pray long prayers, when you never pray to God; do not love to be seen
reading your Bible in the place of worship, as if you love very much the
Bible, when at home you never open your Bible; and you, sisters in the Lord,
don’t pretend to be an example in clothing on Sunday in the place of worship,
when during the other days of the week you dress like the fashion models or
the prostitutes, thinking that no one of the brethren will see you; and you,
brothers, do not pretend to be an example in clothing at the place of worship
on Sunday, when during the other days of the week at home you wear shorts or
sleeveless shirts or you are bare-chested or half-naked, and you go at work
dressed in a provocative way. |
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Do not
deceive yourselves; because sooner or later every simulation of yours will be
manifest to all because the brethren will find out what you really are and
how you conduct yourselves at home or at work. Be sincere, acknowledging your
faults, but do not deceive the brethren nor yourselves above all. See to it
that you conduct yourselves in manner worthy of the Gospel, without any
simulation at home, at work, at school, at the place of worship, whether you
are alone or with other people. |
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I conclude
with these words of Jesus: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is
hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden
that will not be shown” (Luke 12:1-2 – NKJV). |