What is a hypocrite?
Here's the answer:
A hypocrite is someone who says one thing, but behaves in another way.
Hypocrites are throughout the world. A hypocrite is someone who says something, but acts in a radically different way. As an example, a hypocrite may say they believe stealing is wrong, but then later that day, they steal something at the supermarket. Being a hypocrite is not a good thing.
Sadly, there are hypocrites who believe in Jesus. They claim they know Christ, but by their actions they deny Him (Titus 1:16). There are two different types of hypocrites. The first type of hypocrite is described above: they say one thing, but behave in a different manner. The second type of hypocrite is someone who looks down on somebody else. This is wrong as the Bible tells us we should love others, not judge them unfairly (1 John 2:9; Matthew 7:1-4).
The Pharisees in the Bible are perfect examples of hypocrites. They focused on outward appearance and behavior, but they were rotten on the inside (Matthew 23:5-7, 27). The Pharisees wanted glory for themselves instead of giving glory to God. As Christians, we have to be careful of hypocrites and we need to make sure we never turn into one.
Bible Truth
"The Lord says, 'These people worship me only with their words. They honor me by what they say. But their hearts are far away from me. Their worship doesn’t mean anything to me. They teach nothing but human rules that they have been taught'" (Isaiah 29:13).
"How terrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You pretenders! You give God a tenth of your spices, like mint, dill and cumin. But you have not practiced the more important things of the law, which are fairness, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the last things without failing to do the first" (Matthew 23:23).
"They claim to know God. But their actions show they don’t know him. They are hated by God. They refuse to obey him. They aren’t fit to do anything good" (Titus 1:16).
