Hypocrisy is an insidious thing. The problem is, we are all naturally evil, but we all have an innate desire to appear good. With these paradoxical aspects of us so deeply entrenched, we can become hypocritical without even thinking about it. To deepen the complexity, let’s add the fact that most of our social circles include people with slightly different views of morality, which—if we’re disposed to—can cause us to put on many different faces depending on who we’re with.

So, despite it coming so naturally, hypocrisy is hard work. And it can become a real circus if we happen to be at an event where all those different people we change faces for are present at the same time. But it keeps us from embarrassment and friction sometimes and causes some people to think well of us, though undeservedly, so we keep striving in this manner if we are unwise. 

It’s Evil

But, hypocrisy goes beyond lacking wisdom. It seems, if we examine the Bible, that hypocrisy is evil. Take chapter 23 of Matthew for example, in which Jesus unloads on the religious leaders of the time. Over and over again, He circles back to one label for them: hypocrites. Jesus put up with many people guilty of many evils, but He required one thing of them: honesty. If someone was an open sinner, He could deal with that. But, those who pretended to be righteous while hiding all manner of evil, were practically impossible to reach. 

Another section of Scripture that drives home the dangers of hypocrisy is found in the very next chapter of Matthew. Matthew 24:48-51 says this: ⁴⁸ But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ ⁴⁹ and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, ⁵⁰ the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know ⁵¹ and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. – ESV 

Shunning Hypocrisy

It seems it’s very important to shun hypocrisy in our own lives and insist on honesty in our hearts. God is always looking even when it seems He’s not. Or close by even when He seems delayed in coming. This man is called a servant. He was serving God on one hand, but beating other servants of God and consorting with drunkards on the other. Obviously not a good idea, according to Jesus. 

Sure, many of us will slip up sometimes and put on that mask. That’s not catastrophic. That’s what repentance is for. We all need the mercy of God every day. The admonition I glean for myself from these Scriptures is to avoid chronic, lingering and intentional hypocrisy at all costs. If we spot it, let’s be open to the work of the Lord in removing it.

The Same Person In All Places

Let’s be the same person in all the places we go. We don’t need to flaunt our shortcomings and weaknesses, but perhaps we can at least reach a place where we’re not living double lives—acting one way around some people and another way around others. God can tremendously bless those who walk in openness and honesty before Him and others, as we can see in the following verses.

Luke 18:10-14 ¹⁰ “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ ¹³ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. – ESV 

The Reward Of Faithfulness

Let’s also take a look at the verses that come before the ones about the wicked and hypocritical servant to get a glimpse of what awaits those who do what is right even when no one is looking and when it seems even God is delayed in coming, or noticing what we’re doing. Matthew 24:45-47 says this: ⁴⁵ “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? ⁴⁶ Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. ⁴⁷ Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. – ESV 

That is the contrast. Doing the right thing when no one is looking or when everyone is looking. Being the same person in all places. If we’re always serving God without reservation, He will not surprise us negatively with His coming. And if He has found us trustworthy, He will give us the privilege of stewarding more things for Him. Lord help us to be open, honest and faithful.