The Word of God is the most inspiring book that has ever been written.  It guides and directs us into profitable living (Titus 2:11-12).  The Bible, however, includes more than words of exhortation.  It also includes sober warnings about behavior that is displeasing to God.  This week, let us consider some of the warnings that God gives us through His Word.  Let us begin by heeding the warning from our Lord concerning hypocrisy.

Luke 12:1 (ESV)
¹  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.

The Pharisees were viewed as the spiritual elite among the Jews in the first century.  the truth is, while some of them were zealous of the law, their primary characteristic was hypocrisy.

The Greek word for hypocrisy refers to one “playing a part on stage” (Complete Biblical Library).  It described someone pretending to be someone else.  In acting, it is what one is supposed to do, but in real life, it is a universally condemned practice.  More importantly, it is condemned by Jesus.

The hypocrisy of the Pharisees is seen by their unwillingness to practice what they preached.  To tell others how they should live their lives, and then fail to live accordingly, is the height of hypocrisy, and it is what Jesus condemned in the Pharisees.  

Matthew 23:1-3 (ESV)
¹  Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ²  “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, ³  so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.

Jesus’ condemnation of the Pharisees has always been misunderstood by the masses of religious people, mostly because they have been misled by their leaders.  Jesus never condemned them for having a strong desire to obey the law.  What he did condemn is the practice of preaching the law and not living by it.  That is hypocrisy and the Bible warns us to avoid it.  Read Matthew 23 and see how many times Jesus condemned the Pharisees for their hypocrisy.

Are you in any way pharisaical?  Do you pretend to be something that you are not?  Do you preach one thing and practice the opposite, or condemn something in others, only to turn around and do it yourself?  Paul condemned his Jewish brethren for doing that.

Romans 2:21-23 (ESV)
²¹  you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? ²²  You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? ²³  You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law.

Let us heed the Bible warning and be genuine Christians with unfeigned faith like Timothy (2 Timothy 1:5).  Let us avoid hypocrisy at all costs.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.