The Sin of Hypocrisy - Matthew 23:25-39

By David Woods

     It would seem that in the past few decades one of the main complaints of the world concerning Christianity is that “Christians are hypocrites!”  This complaint is given credibility in that many well known Christian figures have proved to live double lives.

     I believe this has caused many Christians to fear being public about their faith.  They are afraid that they will be accused of being hypocrites.  Personally, I believe that if we actually were to engage the world, we might find people less inclined to accuse us of hypocrisy that we fear.  However, there are a number of people who are hostile to Christianity and cannot seem to wait to accuse Christians of hypocrisy.

Discussion: Why is this accusation of hypocrisy leveled at the church?  Is there any truth to it?

Discussion: In your opinion, what is a hypocrite?

Discussion: What criteria do you use to identify a hypocrite - your personal beliefs/interpretation of God’s Word, only what is actually stated in God’s Word, your opinions, or something else?

     In the introduction, the writer for the lesson comments refers to a writer who has distinguished four types of hypocrites.

Read Introduction (Those who do not have access to the printed lesson may want to refer to the actual article that is referred to in the Introduction.)

Exercise: Let us illustrate with real-life issues/beliefs what these four types of hypocrites are like.

Discussion: Do you always live in exact accordance to your beliefs?  If not, are you a hypocrite?  If you would say yes to the first question, but no to the second, can you explain why you should not be regarded as a hypocrite?  Are others who also fail to live in exact accordance to their beliefs hypocrites?

(In other words, does a momentary sin classify one as a hypocrite?  Or, is a person who is struggling with breaking a habit of sin who fails - even several times - a hypocrite?  And, if we are lenient towards ourselves, how lenient should we be towards others whose actions seem to deny their beliefs?)

Discussion: Is our judgment of hypocrisy based on an arbitrary “wickedness scale” of sin?

Discussion: Why do people not live according to their beliefs?

Discussion: The writer of the “Doctrinal Discussion” says, “If we cannot prove that the person in question is attempting to deceive, we must defer judgment to the one all-wise Judge.”  Does this mean we cannot make any judgments concerning the hypocritical actions of another?  What does it mean?

Discussion: Why do people who are not living according to their beliefs, yet proclaim great spirituality, do thus?

Discussion: Because the real possibility exists that we may not always act according to our beliefs, should we live fearfully, not claiming any great spirituality?  Should we be afraid to claim that we can and are living in victory over sin?  Why or why not?

     I hope the questions I have raised here help us to think through this issue of hypocrisy.  Hypocrisy is a real problem.  Too many so-called Christians are fakes.  Yet, it is also true that there are well-meaning Christians who do not always act in a God-honoring way.  Furthermore, we can, like the Pharisees of Jesus’ time, judge spirituality by the wrong criteria.

     This should not cause us to live in fear - afraid to confront real sin that exists.  Neither should it cause us to be afraid of preaching the Biblical truth that we can live in constant victory over sin.  Nor should it cause us to fail to testify of an experience we enjoy.

     But I believe we should learn that:

Big Idea: Spiritual pride alienates us from Christ.

     Therefore, we should be careful not to claim what we do not have.  We should strive to live according to God’s Word.  And we should be careful that we do not attempt to be spiritual in order to brag about that spirituality.

     Instead, let us live humbly, thankful to Christ for the grace He has provided us in the past and the grace He will shower upon us in the future.  Let us commit to live according to God’s Word.