WHAT DOES BEING A HYPOCRITE MEAN? The Biblical understanding enunciated by Jesus is rooted in the original meaning of the Greek word ὑποκριταί (hypokritai) which means “stage actors.” It is easy to see how this word has come to mean some one who is phony. For what they claim to be, they really are not, they are just acting a role. But when no one is looking (i.e. the audience is gone) they revert to their true self, which is some one quite different. But Jesus in His teaching here develops the understanding far more richly that shows how sad and poignant hypocrisy is, what its origin is and how it can be overcome. Jesus describes hypocrisy as the sad state of a person who reduces himself to being an actor on a stage, because he does not know God the Father. There are many people who live their life in a desperate search for human approval and applause. They discern their dignity and worth, not from God, (who is in effect a stranger to them), but from what other human beings think of them. They are willing to adapt themselves often in dramatic ways to win approval. They are willing to play many roles and wear many masks to give the audience what they want. They are like actors on a stage, who seek applause or perhaps laughter and approval. Notice the way Jesus describes the heart of hypocrisy: Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them;….The Lord goes on to say that they blow a trumpet so that others will see them giving alms, they pray ostentatiously so that others may see they are praying, and they alter their appearance so that others may see they are fasting. The heart of hypocrisy – Thus, the goal of such a person is to be seen. They are on stage and seek to ingratiate themselves to the audience and win applause. Hence they engage in some action “in order that people may see them.” It is clear that this is ultimately very sad. Christian who are hypocrites will often compromise core principles of being a Christian in order to fit in and be liked. They will play the role of a secular modern in order to win approval on the job. Some will act deceitfully to please a boss, others will gossip or engage in any number of sinful behaviors to ingratiate themselves to a group. Why does the hypocrite act inconsistently? Because the audience changes, and he must change with it. So to one group he will say “yes” and to another group he will say “no.” Since the goal of the hypocrite (actor) is to be seen and win approval, the answer must change if the group does. Hence he will morph, hide his true thoughts or outright lie to gain the approval. He does not have core values found in the Word of GOD, his identity is outside of himself in what ever the audience requires in order to grant him approval. This happens to a person who does not know God the Father. The great tragedy of many lives is that they do not know the Father. They may know ABOUT God, but they do not personally know God or His love for them. God is at best a kind stranger who runs the universe but He is in some remote heaven and the interaction that many have with Him is vague and abstract. They believe God exists but He is on the edge of their life. In effect he is a stranger. Notice the remedy that Jesus assigns for each example of hypocrisy he cites: Your heavenly Father, who sees in secret will repay you for giving alms….Your heavenly Father who sees in secret will repay you for praying…..Your heavenly Father who sees what is hidden will repay you for your fasting. Do you see the intimacy that Jesus sets forth. He says of God, He is “Your heavenly Father.” He is not merely the “Deity.” He is not merely God in heaven. He is not even merely the Father. He is “YOUR heavenly Father.” He is the one who created you, sustains you, provides for and loves you. The Christian goal in life is to have an intimate relationship with our Father and the remedy for hypocrisy is that it is enough that Your heavenly Father sees what you do. You do not have to please anyone but Him. To please our Father you must be IN CHRIST so you will act LIKE CHRIST. You must know Him and obey His commands. This is how you stop being a hypocrite. (This was taken in part from a message by Charles Pope)
Posted on: Wed, 03 Sep 2014 13:01:56 +0000
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