LOSING MY RELIGION – Hypocrisy

By Pastor Robby Bradford

(Luke 6:46) Why do you call me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say?

Hypocrisy = the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one’s own behavior does not conform; pretense.

• The history of Christianity has many examples of personal and corporate failures.

(Matthew 24:10-13) At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.  Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

• The tendency to seek human approval makes hypocrisy a human pitfall.

(Matthew 6:1 ESV) Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them…

• Hypocrisy often involves trying to hide things or keep them secret.

(Luke 12:1b-3) Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

KILL YOUR HYPOCRISY

(Revelation 3:1b-2) I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.

WEEDS IN THE SOUL

Secrets are chief enemies of personal, spiritual growth.

WALK OUT OF THE WOODS

Secrets are chains; the truth is always the path to freedom.

(James 5:16a)  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

ACTION: Identify ways that you are hiding from God or others.  Find someone trustworthy with whom you can tell the truth about what you have been keeping secret.