12 Characteristics of Religious Hypocrisy

This study examines what hypocrisy is.  The video is a summary of religious hypocrisy as taught in the Bible.  More details can be found in the study below the video link.

Contents

Introduction

What is a Hypocrite?

Category 1 – Practicing Righteousness to be Seen by People

1. Outward Physical Appearances to Appear Religious
2. Giving to be Seen by People
3. Praying to be Seen by People
4. Fasting (i.e. religious piety) to be Seen by People

Category 2 – Perverting the Word of God for Gain

5. Placing Man’s Tradition over the Truth of the Word of God
6. Using the Bible to Test and Trap People
7. Perverting the Truth Concerning the Gospel
8. Fervent Prostelyzing

Category 3 – Improper Use of Religious Authority

9. Desire for Honor and Respect
10. No Concern over Those Who They Shepherd
11. Unjust Judgment of Others
12. Persecution of Those who Proclaim the Truth

Summary

 

Introduction

 

On several occasions, Jesus used the term hypocrite to describe a certain type of person that He encountered. In fact, Jesus used the term hypocrite 24 times in the Gospels.  Without exception, Jesus used this term in referring to someone that was deeply religious. These people on the surface appeared to be very righteous and holy. However, inside they were full of dead men’s bones (Mat 23:27).

 

The purpose of this booklet is to carefully examine the passages in the Bible where Jesus called someone or group of people ‘hypocrites’. It is important to recognize that Christians are not to judge others (Mat 7:1-5). Although there is a place for judgment made by the leadership of the church in the matters of sin (1 Cor 5:1-5, Mat 18:17-20, etc), as individual believers, we must be careful to only examine ourselves and nor others. We must not use this information to cast doubt on the motives of others. Although we recognize that the people that Jesus called hypocrites were not saved, we must never enter into this line of thought in thinking about others. We must consider ourselves. Are we really saved? Are we walking in the paths of hypocrisy and not in the paths of holiness? We must carefully examine and test ourselves to see whether we are in the faith (see 2 Cor 13:5). By examining the words of our Lord concerning hypocrisy, it is hoped that we can be encouraged to walk in a more holy path.

 

What is a Hypocrite?

 

The term hypocrite literally means one that is ‘under critical’ of themselves. In other words, this term describes someone who appears to stand for righteousness and justice, however, in reality, they do the very same things that they speak out against.  In many cases, they are worse.

 

 

Generally, the hypocrite will not necessarily recognize that he is one.  For example, the Pharisees whom Jesus often called hypocrites genuinely believed that they were Abraham’s children (John 8:33, 39) and were righteous. However, Jesus pointed out to them their depraved nature and need for salvation (John 8:34-47).

 

In the Gospels, we find examples where Jesus called groups or individuals hypocrites.  These people are for our learning to examine ourselves. We will look at each of these instances to further define and understand what a ‘hypocrite’ is.  In fact, when we carefully compare these Scriptures together, we find that we can identify 12 characteristics of hypocrites. Further, these 12 characteristics can be put into three larger categories:

 

Practicing Righteousness to be Seen by People

 

1. Outward physical appearances to appear religious

 

2. Giving to be seen by people

 

3. Praying to be seen by people

 

4. Fasting (i.e. religious piety) to be seen by men

 

Perverting the Word of God for Gain

 

5. Placing Man’s tradition over the Truth of the Word of God

 

6. Using the Bible to test and trap people

 

7. Perverting the truth concerning the Gospel

 

8. Fervent Prostelyzing

 

 

Improper Use of Religious Authority

 

9. Desire for honor and respect

 

10. No concern over those who they shepherd

 

11. Unjust judgment of others

 

12. Persecution of those who Proclaim the truth

 

 

_____

 

Category 1 – Practicing Righteousness to be Seen by People

 

The first category of characteristics of the hypocrite is that of practicing righteousness to be seen by men. In other words, hypocrites will tend to want people to see when they do something good or that they appear to be devout and religious. It is for this reason that God warns us:

 

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

Mat 6:1

 

But all their works they do for to be seen of men

Mat 23:5a

 

 

We must recognize that any good deed that we may do as a Christian is to glorify God and not ourselves. If we only do a good deed to be recognized by men, we are seeking their reward and not God’s reward. All people, whether saved or not, can do good things if there is something in it for them. If an unsaved murderer knows that he can avoid the death penalty by looking repentant and saying he is sorry, he may do it to avoid death. The point is this: if we do good things to be seen by men, we are not doing it to glorify God. God is sovereign and He sees our good works done in secret.

 

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.

Lk 11:44

 

Just like concealed tombs, so is the religious hypocrite. People do not notice that they are treading on the ground of one who is spiritually dead. On the outside, they look saved and clean. But, their works prove that they are unsaved.

 

The following are 4 areas where God warns us that it is hypocritical to do religious activities in order to be seen by men. Therefore, we must walk very carefully that we do not fall into the trap of hypocrisy.

 

1. Outward Physical Appearances to Appear Religious

 

The first characteristic of a hypocrite that we will examine is that of making the outward appearance appear to be holy in order to be seen by men. In Mat 23:5, we find that the hypocrite will make  his own physical outward appearance appear to be holy:

 

But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments

Mat 23:5

 

This verse is in the context of Mat 23 where Jesus calls these individuals hypocrites 8 times (see vv 13,14,15,23,25,27,28,29). In verse 5, we find that they made broad their phylacteries and enlarged the borders of their garments. Phylacteries were small leather boxes worn on the forehead and arm which contained important Old Testament verses (see Ex 13:9,16, Deut 6:8, 11:18). Enlarging the borders of their garments was in response to an Old Testament command to have blue fringes on their garments (Num 15:38).

 

Therefore, these hypocrites made their physical appearance to be very holy-looking. Wearing these religious articles was not evil in itself. But, we find that they make broad their phylacteries and enlarge the borders of their garments. In other words, they took their piety to an extreme. We see also in Mk 12:38 that they made their robes long. In other words, they wanted to draw attention to themselves. They were deeply religious and they wanted people to know it. We find that the Pharisees made themselves clean and holy looking outside but inside they were full of dead men’s bones:

 

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.  Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.  Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Mat 23:25-28 (see also Mk 7:3-6)

 

And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.

Lk 11:39

 

In summary, we see that the first characteristic of a hypocrite is that they will wear clothing and make their physical appearance look holy and very religious. How often do we find ourselves desiring to wear religious medallions and other physical articles so that we may be identified with religion? We see some denominations that insist on the wearing of head coverings, long robes, and religious medallions.  Do we find our clergy garbed in all types of religious outfits just as the Pharisees did? How often do we find ourselves wanting to make our homes and cars appear religious with various pictures, medals, statues and other items?

 

 

All these things in and of themselves are not evil. However, we must  be careful of why we are involving ourselves with these articles of religious appearance. Do we do it to be seen by men? Do we want people to think we are religious and holy? In the world, we must be a witness. We must witness by our words and our deeds. However, the appearance of religion without accompanying deeds and words is hypocrisy!

 

2. Giving to be Seen by People

 

The next characteristic of hypocrisy is that of giving to be seen by men. Consider the following passages:

 

Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Mat 6:2-4

 

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

Lk 18:11-12

 

We see in the above passages, the act of hypocritical giving. We see that hypocrites blow a trumpet when they give. In other words, they make sure that people know about their giving. If people did not know they were giving, how likely they would be to not give. We must be careful that when we fill out our church envelope, that we are not entering our name or number to ensure that someone knows we are giving. We must be sure that our motive of giving is not that we want to show up in the church database or list as a giver. We must be sure that we are not worried about the usher or the person next to us in the pew seeing how much we put in the plate.

 

 

As a church body, we must not be worried with the reporting of the giving in the church or how much the church is giving to others. We should not be concerned about the amount of money raised each Sunday.

 

Rather, we must not let one hand know what the other is doing. If we give in order to show or report to others what a giving person or church we are, then we find ourselves hypocrites. We must only look to God for the reward. We must not concern ourselves with what others think about our giving.

 

But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;  And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Mat 15:5-8

 

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

Mat 23:23-24 (see also Lk 11:42)

 

 

Instead of honoring their mother and father and using their funds to help those in need, hypocrites often ensure that the money is given for religious practices. Hypocrites are more interested in the building up of an organization or a church edifice than the building up of individuals. They are not acquainted with mercy. They do not see that God has called us to be merciful to others and do what is best for other people. Do we find ourselves in such bondage that we feel we must support our church building fund instead of honoring the law of God by having mercy and compassion on others? We must be very careful that we do not find ourselves in such bondage that we have forgotten the commands of God concerning mercy and justice towards people.

 

Hypocrites are very careful to tithe of every little bit they have, but they forget the command that we are to present our whole body as a living sacrifice (Ro 12:1-2). Instead of limiting oneself to a tithe, the Christian is to present himself 100% to God. The hypocrite satisfies himself to carefully calculate exactly 10% of his gross pay. He pays his tithe and goes back to his sinful lifestyle. He satisfies and deceives himself into believing that 10% is all that God requires. This is contrary to Ro 12:1-2 and hypocritical.

 

3. Praying to be Seen by People

 

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Mat 6:5-8

 

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

Mat 23:14 (see also Mk 12:40)

 

Other characteristics of hypocrisy can be found in the way we pray. In the above passages, we find 3 issues with prayer that are hypocritical:

 

1. Praying to be seen by men (in public and in church)
2. Praying in vain repetitions
3. Praying long prayers

 

 

We see that hypocrites like to pray so that they will be seen by others. They do this both on the street corners and in the synagogue. In other words, the hypocrite will use both the arena of the public place as well as the church to be seen praying. These prayers are intended not for God alone, but for others also who are around.

 

We must carefully examine ourselves anytime that we pray before other people. This is true in public and in church. Although it seems holy and a good witness to pray in public, we must be very careful how we do this. On the one hand, we should pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17). However, we should do it in such a way that God alone is our prime target of prayer. We should not be afraid of others seeing us pray for we must identify with Christ (2 Tim 3:12, Mat 10:24-40, 5:10-14). But, on the other hand, we should not intentionally set out to pray just so that the world will see us. We may desire to be a ‘good witness’ by showing the world that we pray. But, we must beware that we are not guilty of hypocrisy if this is why we are doing it. Therefore, when in public, we must continue in prayer, but we must be very careful that we do not do it just to be seen by men. We must be wary of gathering around flag poles and the like to be seen by men that we are praying. If the world happens to ‘catch’ us praying, so be it. But, we should not set out to try to show them that we are praying.

 

Concerning prayer in the church, we must beware that we are not doing it to be seen by others. If our prayer life is absent or minimal, but we make a point to ensure others in the church see us praying, this is hypocrisy. Or, if we move to a certain place in the church that will ensure that others see us praying, then this too is hypocrisy. Rather, when we pray, we must strive to maintain the ‘prayer closet’ principle. That is, we do not need other people to see us praying. We can pray to God in privacy.

 

 

The hypocrite will use vain repetitions in his prayer. That is, he will use the same phrase or statements or even entire prayers over and over. He may even read them from a piece of paper. He forgets that prayer is talking to God. Prayer is not a ritual, especially when these rituals are to be seen by men.

 

Moreover, hypocrites use vain repetitions since they believe God will hear them for their multitude of words.  God knows what we need before we even pray. We pray because it teaches humility and is pleasing to God. Long prayers often are superficial and go around in circles. They often are generated out of habit or from tradition. Many phrases in long prayers tend to have religious clichés and repetitive  religious terms in them. We are not to pray long prayers in order that God will reward us for our effort, nor are we to pray long prayers so that others may think we are very spiritual. This is hypocrisy.

4. Fasting (i.e. religious piety) to be Seen by People

 

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;  That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Mat 6:16-18

 

The next characteristic of the hypocrite who wants to be seen by men is that of fasting. The hypocrites mentioned in Mat 6:16-18 made their faces sad and let all those around know that they were fasting. Although the fasting is in itself not evil, the hypocrite who uses this religious activity so that others will know that he is fasting is committing sin.

 

 

Fasting is something that can be boasted about by the hypocrite. We find in the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican (see Lk 18:12) that the hypocritical Pharisee boasted that he fasted twice a week. We can also take the example of fasting and expand it to any religious or pious activity that an individual does in order to be seen by men. There are many, many examples of this. It could involve church or community service. If we serve in the church or the community in order to gain standing or a position, then this is hypocritical. If we serve so that others will think we are spiritual, this is hypocrisy. The only valid religious service that is not hypocritical is to help those who are helpless and to keep oneself unspotted from the world (James 1:27). And this service must be from a heart having to an overriding burden to help and serve and not to be seen by men.

 

Category 2 – Perverting the Word of God for Gain

 

The above mentioned characteristics of religious hypocrites have to do with performing a religious activity in order to gain standing with other people. These characteristics may seem obvious (although they are rampant in the world today). We now move on to some less obvious characteristcs of the hypocrite. These characteristcs have to do with the hypocrite’s relationship with the Word of God. We find that Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites (Lk 12:1) because of the leaven of their false teaching (Mat 6:6,12, see also 1 Tim 4:2, 1 Pet 2:1, James 3:17).

 

 

5. Placing Man’s Tradition over the Truth of the Word of God

 

 

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.  Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Mk 7:5-9 (see also Mat 15:1-9)

 

We see in this passage that Jesus refers to the Pharisees as hypocrites. The reason for that is that they rejected the commandments of God and developed their own traditions instead. By rejecting the commandment of God for their traditions, they were in essence denying the authority of Scripture. They added to the word of God. They did not accept that God’s Word as revealed is sufficient for us in matters of salvation, doctrine and behaviors.

 

But, how does this relate to hypocrisy? We know it is hypocrisy because the Lord told us so. However, if we look at some examples of adding to the word of God today, we can better understand why the Pharisees were viewed as hypocritical.

 

We find in Christianity today many sects and denominations who have added their own rules and ideas that go beyond what is in the Bible. There are legalists who have developed all sorts of man-made rules for their flock to follow. There are psychologists who add the world’s wisdom to the Bible to attempt to minister to people. There are the signs and wonders sects who add dreams, visions, tongues and other miraculous events to add to the word of God.

 

 

The reason that all these endeavors are akin to the Pharisees hypocrisy is that it denies the sovereignty of God. All these people (including the Pharisees) accepted the word of God and were in God’s corporate church. However, they strayed from their dependence on God by adding to His revelation. Although in name they say they are God’s people, yet in reality, they want to follow their own ideas of how they should live. These hypocrites forget that God is God. He is so far above us that He does not need man to add to His revelation to us. By adding to the word of God, we are hypocrites because although we are saved by God’s sovereign grace, we live on using our own ideas concerning living a Christian life.

 

The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.  And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?  A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

Mat 16:1-4 (see also Lk 12:56)

 

How often we find ourselves tempted to stray from the word of God alone. Just as the Pharisees knew how to predict the weather,  we have great institutions of learning today to teach us many things. They teach us much more than what is in the Bible. They use all types of commentaries, study aids, philosophies, psychologies, science and business fields and the like to train us. We are very wise concerning illustrations, lexigetical facts, finances, running the business of the church and knowing scientific methods on proving the existence of God.  However, all we need is the Word of God and we are sufficient in Christ (see Col 2:8-10). God’s word is the only counsellor that we need (Psalm 119:24, Is 28:29).

 

 

Do we find ourselves straying from the word of God and into the philosophies of men? Perhaps, we use our own witty illustrations and wisdom to teach others rather than staying with the Word of God. We may apply all types of intellectual fields of study to the Word of God.  Maybe we teach others that they need a dream or speak in some other tongue in order to know the will of God.  Perhaps we teach people that they need to wear certain clothing or style their hair a certain way in order to be pleasing to God. Anything we teach as God’s will beyond the Bible is erroneous and hypocritical. It’s hypocrisy since we are claiming that these extra-Biblical requirements are in the will of God, yet we sin because we are commanded that God’s Word is sufficient for us (Col 2:8-10).

 

 

6. Using the Bible to Test and Trap People

 

A related hypocrisy to teaching the commands of men as God’s commands is that of using the Word of God to trap people in their words. That is, there are people who use the Word of God (incorrectly so) to try to get people to believe the way they do. Let us look at a Biblical example:

 

Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.  Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?  Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.  And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?  They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.  When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

Mat 22:15-22 

 

And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:  Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.

Lk 11:53-54

 

We see in these passages the Pharisees, scribes and Herodians seeking to trap Jesus in His words. They first state to Jesus that they know He is true and that He teaches the way of God in truth. Yet, in reality they were trying to get Jesus to openly display rebellion to Caesar. Jesus knew the wicked intent of their hearts in that they were trying to make him stumble in what He said. But, why did Jesus call them hypocrites?

 

 

The significance of this passage is this: the Pharisees and Herodians on the one hand acknowledged the importance of the truth of God. They also acknowledged that they believed Jesus was truthful in what they said. Yet they wanted to make him appear rebellious to Caesar. In other words, they could not find any wrong doctrine in what he taught. Instead, they resorted to trickery in order to try to harm Jesus. These hypocrites, in word, said that they believed the Word of God. However, in reality, they hypocritically were testing Jesus concerning the Law.

 

This above example of hypocrisy can be related to today. There are many today who use all sorts of methods to try to discredit and test those who come with the truth. For example, let us say one speaks out concerning something he believes is wrong in his church. Let us say it conflicts with the creed or teaching of the church. Yet, it turns out that the church leadership cannot adequately from Scripture point out the error of the one who has the truth. For the sake of tradition, political gain or some other wicked motive, the leadership tries to discredit or trick the one who comes with the truth. This is hypocrisy because the leadership was not interested in truly pleasing God by humbly admitting their error. Rather, they are interested in their social setting or leadership position. As Christians, we must humbly walk and admit our errors when pointed out to us.

 

Instead of acknowledging the truth that they supposedly stand for, they would rather defy the truth by using wicked methods. These type of people are hypocrites and do not have the interests of God in their hearts.

 

There are many in religious circles who are more interested in winning debates than coming to truth concerning the Bible. If we use the Bible to outwit others, we miss the truth of the Bible concerning humility. We must be careful about condemning others who do not agree with our doctrine. No person has a corner on all truth. We all err in many areas (James 3:2).

 

 

7. Perverting the Truth Concerning the Gospel

 

Another characteristic of hypocrisy is that of perverting or altering the truth concerning the Gospel. In the previous characteristic, we saw that the hypocrite may use other devious means to discredit or harm one with the truth for the sake of their own personal gain. In this characteristic, we find those hypocrites who actually teach a wrong doctrine that hinders people from understanding the true Gospel. This is hypocrisy since the person perverting the Gospel comes in the name of the true Gospel but, in reality, has a false gospel.

 

Consider the following example:

 

Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

Luke 11:52

 

But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Mat 23:13

 

In these passages, we find lawyers, scribes and Pharisees who have perverted the truth such that they have led people astray from the truth of the Gospel. They were unsaved, yet they thought they were. They taught doctrines of men as if they were of God. They obscured the truth so much that the truth of God was no longer discernable. People had confided in their wisdom, ability and position in society. They were hypocrites because they represented the church who supposedly held the truth of the Word of God. Yet, in reality, they were not what they represented. Their teaching was far from the Word of God.

 

 

We must be wary of falling into the same trap of hypocrisy. We may hold a position in the church or community that causes us to have great influence over other people. Woe unto to us if we lead others astray because they confide in our abilities or authority. To avoid hypocrisy, we must be careful that everything we do or teach is in strict accord with the teaching of the Bible. We must be very, very careful that we teach nothing that adds to or alters the Word of God.

 

8. Fervent Prostelyzing

 

The final characteristic of hypocrisy in this category of perverting the Word of God is that of fervent prostelyzing. Consider the following passage:

 

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Mat 23:15

 

We see in this passage that the scribes and Pharisees would travel great distances to convert one person to their religion. This was hypocrisy, of course, in that they called themselves men of God, yet they preached what was false to convert people into their religion.

 

This type of hypocrisy is of concern today. There are all types of ‘evangelistic’ efforts by a variety of churches, denominations, religions, and cults. Many of these organizations hold to false doctrines, yet they are often very fervent about converting people to their system of belief. They zealously court people to gain numbers in their pews and on their rolls.

 

 

Many people fervently preach their doctrine with the motive that they are doing the right thing. This is a very significant issue. The Pharisees surely were convinced that they were right and they most likely thought they were providing a valuable service to God concerning their attempt at conversion. Yet, they were hypocrites.

 

We must examine ourselves today to ensure we are not building our churches out of wood, hay, and stubble (1 Cor 3:12, 2 Tim 2:20). That is, we must ensure that the Gospel we bring is the right Gospel and done with the right motives. We must ensure that we are not preaching simply to bolster our church numbers with people who have joined the church but may not be saved. We must ensure that we are not witnessing to make ourselves feel like we are performing a part in the salvation of the person being converted. We must realize that God is absolutely sovereign and draws men to himself (John 6:37,44). The fact that God uses the clay vessel of man to be God’s mouthpiece must never be used to feed our egos such that we think we were in some way responsible for  a person’s salvation. When we say ‘I led someone to Christ’, this is hypocrisy. The Bible teaches that it is God who draws the person being saved (John 6:37,44). We should never say that ‘I converted someone to Christ’. This is not true. God converts the sinner. We must never say that we are a ‘soul-winner’. Man has never won a soul to Christ. It is only God who performs the marvelous work of salvation.

 

In summary, we must be careful not to be fervently trying to convert people for the wrong reasons. We must do as the Bible teaches. As we go our ways, we must preach the Gospel (Mat 28:19-20). When we have special activities, programs, or days that we use to fervently convert people, we deny the sovereign grace of God. God is not concerned with our program of how to ‘win souls’. It is God only who decides when and where one is to be saved.

 

Category 3 – Improper Use of Religious Authority

 

 

The final category of characteristics of the hypocrite concerns the improper use of religious authority. The vast majority of Jesus’ declarations of hypocrisy were addressed to those in leadership positions in the church. Therefore, this category mostly applies to those who seek to be leaders in the churches although in a larger sense, it applies to anyone. It often turns out, as we saw before, that the hypocrite is very interested in what people think of them. They will perform religious observances in order to be seen by men. Hypocrites hope that others will acknowledge their spirituality and will follow them. It is in this way that the hypocrite gains his reward. This is not to say that all people who are religious leaders are hypocrites. That would be an absurdity. On the other hand, it is very likely that we find hypocrisy alive and well in the leadership positions in Christianity.

 

9. Desire for Honor and Respect

 

But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,  And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.  But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.  And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.  Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Mat 23:5-12

 

And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:

Mk 12:38-39

 

Another characteristic of a religious hypocrite is the love of receiving honor and respect. We see from the above passages, 5 distinct examples of honor and respect that hypocrites enjoy:

 

 

• The wearing of religious garb (e.g. long robes)
• Sitting at the place of honor at banquets
• The chief seats in the synagogue
• Respectful greetings in the marketplace
• Being called ‘Rabbi’ (i.e. Teacher)

 

In each of these examples, we see a desire to be noticed by others. More than that, these hypocrites also want to be held in high esteem by others. We see that their clothing is intentionally warn as to be distinguished from other people. We previously saw that they also enjoyed wearing phylacteries and enlarging the border of their garments. All this is done to gain honor and respect by others. If we find ourselves intentionally dressing in religious garb or other types of clothing that carries a religious overtone, we must be very careful of our motives. Why do we want to be distinguished from others? Although the Biblical principle exists that we dress modestly so as not to attract attention to ourselves based on the external (1 Tim 2:9), we find many times that this principle is disregarded. If we are dressing to try to convince others of our spirituality rather than letting our works speak for themselves, we are religious hypocrites.

 

In social settings, they desire to be seated in the place of honor. Instead of sitting amongst the crowd or in an ignoble place, they want to be seated so as to be seen by others with the hope that others will recognize them and think highly of them. Similarly, they enjoy the chief seats in the synagogue. As leaders, they exploited their positions to the full extent. They ensured they sat down in a position that everyone in the synagogue recognized them as the leaders.

 

 

As potential leaders in society or in church, we must walk very humbly. We must always remember that God is sovereign and we are nothing outside of His grace to us. He has saved us by His grace. Like a master potter, he has made us what we are We should not want any credit for this work of God.  We prove ourselves to be hypocrites if we want notoriety in society or in church. If we find ourself desiring to sit in a certain pew or chair in church so that we may be recognized as important, that should be of concern to us.

 

In the business place, the hypocrite wants to be noticed. They want to receive their respectful greetings by others. Presumably, such greetings build their egos and make them feel important and successful. Also, it is an opportunity for others to see them receive a respectful greeting. Therefore, their notoriety may grow among the community. We must be careful of receiving these type of greetings.

 

Suppose we find ourselves enjoying being called ‘doctor’ or some other title of respect. We must be careful that we are very humble and understand that the world’s titles are truly unimportant. All that we are is due to the grace of God. By God’s sovereign grace, he has elected us to salvation (Ro 9:7-16, Eph 1:4-11, John 6:37,44). Moreover, our spiritual growth is totally due to the working of God i our lives. God is at work both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Phil 2:13). Therefore, when we receive a respectful greeting we must remember that we are nothing without God’s work in us. We can take absolutely no credit in our salvation or sanctification. If we find ourselves desiring respectful greetings to be seen and recognized by men, we deny the working of God in our lives and are hypocrites.

 

Finally, the hypocrite wants to be recognized as a teacher. That is, they want others to see them as having more knowledge or spirituality than the average person. They want to be regarded as being a very capable person. They want to be regarded as having knowledge that others need from them. In other places, we find that they have actually hindered the truth of the Gospel from being proclaimed (see Lk 11:52, Mat 23:13). Of course, this is hypocritical. We find in the Bible that believers do not need a teacher since they have the Holy Spirit that illumines truth (see 1 John 2:27).

 

 

The teachers that we have in the church are a help that guide us in our spiritual journey of learning the Scriptures. However, it is the Word of God itself that is the cause our sanctification (John 17:17, etc). The Holy Spirit alone illumines the Scriptures to each believer (1 Cor 2:12-16). Therefore, when we find ourselves thinking that we are important because we hold some sort of teaching position in the church, we must remember that we are totally unable to instruct people in spiritual truth without the Holy Spirit. We can facilitate believers in their path of comparing Scripture with Scripture (see 1 Cor 2:13). But, it is only the Holy Spirit that teaches believers. We are hypocrites if we believe that our intelligence and abilities cause someone to grow spiritually. We have become prideful and hypocritical.

 

10. No Concern over Those Who They Shepherd

 

Another characteristic of leaders who are religious hypocrites is that they have no concern over those who they shepherd, guide, or teach.  Consider the following passage:

 

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

Mat 23:14 (see also Mk 12:40, Lk 20:47)

 

We see in this Scripture that the hypocrite will devour widows’ houses. In other words, the weakest member of the church (i.e. the widow) is not cared for by the hypocritical leader. Likely, her only source of security (i.e. her home) is even affected by the hypocrite. She is not watched over like a true shepherd would do. Rather she is left alone and ultimately loses her house.

 

 

Moreover, the religious hypocrite is often the cause to her losing her house.  The widow can be a person who puts her trust in the religious leader. She carefully listens to everything the leader says and bases her actions upon his words. She trusts this individual, but the hypocrite is a devourer. She loses her house. The religious leader is more interested in his personal position or pleasure than to suffer for the weakest member of the church.

 

Church leaders today must be very careful that they are concerned with the flock of God. Instead of being concerned with their own image and appetite for greed, they must humbly serve the down and out. By doing so, they will gather the flock of God together and be concerned for their growth. The hypocrite however, will not have a heart for the unsaved. He will be interested in the notable people and families in the church. `But, those families that are a little different or are of no political significance, the hypocrite will ignore. The hypocrite will be a respecter of persons.

 

11. Unjust Judgment of Others

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Mat 7:5

 

We find that those who are quick to judge others, yet are sinners themselves are referred to by the Lord as hypocrites. The reason He called them hypocrites should be obvious. One who speaks out and criticizes another yet has the same or worse sin in his own life is a hypocrite.

 

We must be very careful that we do not judge anyone. As Christians God works in all of us. We are His workmanship in Christ Jesus for good works (Eph 2:10). God is able to make us stand. Therefore, we should not judge others since we judge the one Christ died for (Ro 14:4, James 3:12).

 

 

There is a place for judgement in the church however. This judgment rests with the leadership of the local church. `The church has been given the keys to the kingdom (Mat 16:19). The church may make judgments in matters of sin and immorality. They may excommunicate these individuals (see 1 Cor 5:1-5).

 

However, we must walk very humbly. A church when making such judgments must carefully examine the Scriptures. In the cases of sin, they must be spiritual and carefully look to themselves lest they also be tempted (Gal 6:1). In matters of doctrine, the church must be very careful of casting judgment. If they find themselves not liking an individual or pronouncing judgment on an individual because of something he believes, they must be absolutely sure that his teaching is contrary to Scripture. This brings us to the next characteristic of a hypocrite.

 

12. Persecution of Those who Proclaim the Truth

 

We find that the hypocrite will acknowledge and even hold the Word of God in high regard. But, so did the Pharisees. Consider the following passage:

 

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,  And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.  Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.  Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.  Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?  Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city

Mat 23:29-34

 

 

The Pharisees held the prophets of old who God used to write the Bible in high regard. Yet, they were the same as their fathers who killed them.  How often do religious people hold the word of God in high esteem. Yet, they hypocritically deny the content of it. There are many ‘conservative’ churches who say they esteem the Bible yet their teaching is very superficial or based heavily on man’s wisdom of illustrations and other philosophies and psychologies.

 

Moreover, in the above passage, we find that  hypocrites who esteem the Word of God but don not follow what is in it are the first to persecute those who come proclaiming the truth of the Bible. How often do we find intolerance towards those who bring a different idea than what is held by the church or denomination. Instead of carefully examining the Scriptures to see whether these things are true (Acts 17:11), the hypocrite will not think or study into what the person has to say. Rather, they push them off to the side or in some other way encourage them not to be in the church. How often when we hear something different than what our denomination teaches do we shy away from that person. Instead of being prepared in the Word of God to see whether the things are true, we often blind ourself to the truth.

The above scenarios are hypocrisy. Many believe that they have the corner on truth shortly after they are saved. Many church leaders believe they have the corner on truth as soon as they graduate seminary. They do not consider that their seminary may be wrong. It is hypocrisy to put one’s own confident assertion of being right in front of studying the Word of God and convincing oneself from the Word of God on what they believe.

 

It is hypocritical to have never admitted that one was wrong on the matter of doctrine. Many pastors and teachers fall into this trap. Instead of acknowledging to their congregation that they are not perfect and they stumble in many ways, they will move on year after year teaching what they learned in seminary. They are blind to being challenged on what they believe. They are content with man’s tradition concerning what the Bible says.

 

Summary

 

It is hoped that the material presented above has been thought provoking. It is important to remember not to use the Scriptures to judge others in the matter of hypocrisy. As we saw, this is what hypocrites do. Rather, we must be careful to examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith.

 

The following is a summary of the 12 characteristics of religious hypocrisy:

 

Practicing Righteousness to be Seen by People

 

Outward physical appearances – The wearing of clothes, medallions, and other religious garb to appear spiritual

 

Giving to be seen by people – The giving of money and resources in order that others may see us giving

 

Praying to be seen by people – Praying in church or in the community so others will see us praying

 

Fasting (i.e. religious piety) to be seen by people – Not eating or performing any other religious observance so that others will see us and think us more spiritual.

 

Perverting the Word of God for Gain

 

Placing Man’s tradition over the Truth of the Word of God – Placing the Bible is a lower priority than man’s wisdom and tradition, not accepting that one is wrong when pointed out to that effect in the Bible

 

Using the Bible to test and trap people – Saying that one believes and honors the Bible, yet superficially uses it for their own personal gain by entangling others who may have the truth

 

Perverting the truth concerning the Gospel – Teaching a false message of what the Gospel is and by so doing they deceive others

 

Fervent Prostelyzing – Teaching a false gospel and earnestly trying to get people to believe it for the wrong reasons

 

Improper Use of Religious Authority

 

Desire for honor and respect – By the wearing of certain clothes, taking on certain titles, and desiring to be in places of honor, the hypocrite wants to be thought of highly by other people

 

No concern over those who they shepherd – More interested in personal gain or pleasure rather than trying to minister to the weakest members of the church

 

Unjust judgment of others – Criticizing others unjustly while they are doing the same or worse sin

 

Persecution of those who Proclaim the truth – Actively inhibiting those with the truth from proclaiming it due to selfish motives