Sun 12 Sep

“Do as I say, but not as I do”? is a phrase that is often said. It is frequently used to describe the hypocrite. Someone who claims to have certain standards or beliefs to which their own actions do not conform. 

Initially hypocrisy is difficult to diagnose. Mainly because the person concerned appears to be godly and righteous. This was the problem Jesus ran into in the 1st century. The Pharisees appeared to have it all together. The people at the time looked up to them thinking that because of what the religious elite did, they were looked upon as being very godly. After all when they fasted or prayed or gave, they did it in such away that people thought that if they wanted to be close to God, then what the Pharisees did was the way to do it. 

However, looks can be very deceiving. Just because they fasted, prayed and gave did not make them any closer to God. Jesus picked up on the deception when He warned His disciples that they do not practice what they preach. They were big on telling others to keep the law, but failed to keep it themselves. 

Is it possible that we ourselves could fall for the snare of hypocrisy? Very easily! We drop hints as to how often we pray or fast or give. We do things in the church in such away so as to draw attention to ourselves rather than drawing attention to Christ. Make a list of what a hypocrite would do.