HYPOCRISY AND SINCERITY IN COUNTER-BALANCE
FOREWORD
In the passage of Scripture under consideration here, Jesus counterbalance hypocrisy, or pious pretense, with sincerity, or genuineness. It is a condemnation of the one and a condemnation of the other. In all of Christ’s recorded ministry, none are rebuked as frankly and as sternly as the hypocrites. This is probably because they were such rank deceivers. A “hypocrite” is one who pretends to be what he/she is not; especially pretending to be a better person that he/she is. “Hypocrisy” is defined as: “A false assumption of virtue; play-acting; the use of pious talk and actions which gives a pretense of goodness, and especially religious goodness.” As in Chapter 5 Jesus warns against doctrinal corruptions, in Chapter 6 He exposes corrupt and hypocritical practices.
In Chapter 23, He boldly denounces as hypocritical the Pharisees—the most prominent and influential Jewish religious sect of His time on earth. He pronounces eight woes upon them. A “woe” in Scripture means some great calamity; usually a judgment from God. As in today’s denominationalism there are some who are sincere believers in Christ, likewise there were some— though evidently few—good men of the Pharisees; notably, Nicodemus and Paul. But as an “institution,” they were so corrupt at the core that Jesus warned His disciples, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” (Luke 12:1). In this lesson we will observe three areas of hypocritical practice, along with three “but thou s” in counter-balance.
KEY TEXT: “For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained [prestige and advantage], when God taketh away his soul?” (Job 27:8).
Matthew 6:1-3, 5-7, 16-18)
1 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.
2 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.
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
5 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.
6 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.
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
16 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.
17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
18 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.
I. HYPOCRISY VS. SINCERITY IN ALMSGIVING (MATTHEW 6:1-4)
Webster defines alms as: “Money, food, clothing, etc., given to poor people.” Biblically, however, more broadly, they included deeds of mercy, not necessarily material things; thus, “doest alms” rather than “givest alms.” This practice was according to a statute of law: “For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother to thy poor, and to thy needy, in the land” (Deut. 15:11).
A. How NOT To Do Alms: “Take heed” is an alert; in this case, against doing a good deed in a vainglorious manner, expressly to be “seen of men,” or for public notice and acclaim. It is said that the Phansees sounded the trumpet under the pretense of calling the needy ones together to receive their alms. But Jesus knew and declared that the real intent of this practice was “that they may have glory of men”—crowds of men! Take note that this was done “in church” as well as “in public.”
B. How TO Do Alms: Jesus’ emphasis in on secret doing and giving. If done publicly, it should be done as quietly as possible. The “right hand,” or the person closet by, need not know what is given, or how much. One’s charitable or benevolent acts should be between him and God. Even the receiver may not know the giver. And the giver should not allow his mind to dwell on his good deeds. Self-conceit and vainglory can rob one of his eternal reward.
II. HYPOCRISY VS. SINCERITY IN PRAYER (MATTHEW 6:5-15)
C.I. Scofield gives a simple definition of prayer: “Prayer is a child’s petition to an all-wise, all-loving, all-powerful Father-God.” It has been said that “The real meaning of prayer is: Coming to God in an unpretentious spirit of total dependence, in need of His blessing and asking for it with a vow to fulfill whatever conditions may be relevant to the receiving of the Father’s promise.”
A. How NOT To Pray: The Pharisees prayed as “actors on a public stage.” They prayed “standing,” the easier to be seen, and their eloquent “lines” more easily heard. The “street corners” were even more public than the synagogues! Jesus was saying to His followers, “This is not the way to be heard of your heavenly Father.” In Matthew 23:14, He speaks to them in direct address: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses [an early version of modern-day ‘scams’!], and for a pretence [cover-up] make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.” How hard they worked for this “reward of unrighteousness” – hell! (II Peter 2:13). “Vain repetitions” decry memorized prayers for daily repeating, or for :special occasions.” The “rosary” form seems to be included here.
B. How To Pray: Again, “in secret” was Jesus’ manner and place. The closet door is not even to be left ajar. With ho one to hear but “Thy Father which is in secret,” hypocrisy is unthinkable! No
one to impress with “flowery words” and egotism; the one Hearer Omniscient! “Shut in with God,” and the whole world “shut out”! All prying eyes and ears disappointed, Though Jesus does not forbid public prayer, neither does He advocate it. Those who do it, or are called upon to do it, should first “plead the blood” over their souls, and endeavor to created a “closet atmosphere.” Perhaps it could be said the “the heart” is the “true closet.”
Jesus offers the model prayer, which has come to be called “The Lord’s Prayer.” Volumes have been written as attempted expositions of this prayer, which ironically, is noted for its extreme brevity.
Before offering this pattern prayer, He called attention to the fact that the Father already knows our needs before we ask Him; therefore, “much speaking” is unimportant. (See verses 8-15.) Sincerity is of the essence. The spirit of “forgiveness” clears the way for being heard.
III. POCRISY VS. SINCERITY IN FASTING (MATTHEW 6:16-18)
“Fasting” is abstinence from food and drink for some particular period of time. Scriptural fasting is grossly misunderstood. Isaiah 58:3-7 are the Lord’s words on this subject. (Read the whole chapter, keeping the purposes and results of fasting in mind.) The people were questioning God for not responding to their fasts (verses 2, 3). God’s answer begins with verse 3b. Their purposes were altogether selfish; even evil. Verses 6 and 7 set forth the God-chosen fast, and the remainder of the chapter outlines the results.
A. How NOT To Fast: Once more, public display and vainglory are decried. A “long face,” or disfiguring the face, as with ashes, were done only to make sure that men would take notice. Jesus was brief. No doubt His hearers were all too familiar with the practice!
B. How TO Fast: Instead, of calling attention to the fast, all precaution was to be taken to conceal the fact. If the cause demanded withdrawal from the normal daily routine, let it be done without “fanfare.” Occasionally, there may be a reason for a local church to agree together in prayer and fasting. If so, it should also be agreed that it not be made a matter for the “news reporter.” If the results should glorify God, let the testimony be totally impersonal.
LIVING THE LESSON
If is difficult for a sincere soul to understand the thinking of the hypocrite. As our Golden Text asks, “What is his hope?” Regardless of any earthly “gains,” does he never look beyond this life and ask, “What are my retirement benefits?” The egotists Jesus spoke about were the religious variety. How could they wear the “rabbinical robes,” read from the prophetic scrolls, pray scripturally-worded prayers, give to the poor “in the name of the Lord,” afflict their souls in fastings, yet give no sincere thought to a reward beyond the superficial glory of men’s applause? Were they actually so completely deceived? If so, how did they get that way? Could a like deception engulf us also? Indeed, have we undergone a conscientious self-examination recently?
Jesus’ teachings on these matters are down-to-earth and easy to understood. Yet the devil is so subtil and men are so gullible! Do we open ourselves to temptation when we make “drives” for funds in such a way as to encourage being seen of men? Cannot we be trusted to support the Church in all of its departments by simply making the needs known, then letting every individual respond privately?
The gifts of the Spirit should be able to operate without us allowing ourselves to become conceited as “being wonderfully used of God.” Prayer must ever be encouraged, but how easy it would be for some “great prayer warrior” to become a Pharisee!
Our Fasting should not become a matter for “advertisement.” Remember the Pharisee and the publican who went into the temple to pray. The Pharisee’s prayer was totally egotistical—and public. He prided himself in his supposed virtues. He reminded the Lord that he fasted twice every week and fully paid his tithes—as though the Lord didn’t know! The publican knew himself. He “smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:9-14). Jesus’ comment on the matter serves us as a never-to-be-forgotten conclusion to this lesson:
“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
WHAT A COUNTER-BALANCE OF ETERNAL TRUTH!
If you have never accepted or if you have fallen away from Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:
You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. And tell someone what Christ Jesus Has Done For You (Rev 12:10)
May God through Christ bless you!
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