Sandy Zalecki
Member
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Titus 1:16
Matthew 23 gives a striking portrayal of how severely Jesus denounce hypocrisy. He was tender and compassionate to repentant sinners, to the sick and crippled, and to women and children. But He sharply rebuked the self-righteous hypocrites. Satan wants religious people to take a careless attitude. He know the hypocrites hind the cause of Christ.
The words of Jesus help us to recognize the characteristics of hypocrisy. As we consider them, we need to examine our life to see if there is any evidence of this evil. Hypocrites "say, and do not." The fail the practice what they tech. "All their works they do for to be seen of men" and to receive the praise of men.
Hypocrites lack compassion and take advantage of helpless ones such as widows. The make a display of their religious exercises ("long prayers"). They are particular about little outward details ("strain at a gnat"), but they overlook the weightier matters of true religion ("swallow a camel"). They are blind but try to lead the rejecting clear teachings of the Scriptures. Hypocrites may fool people, but they did not fool Jesus, because He know their hearts.
The true people of God are humble and sincere. They do not seek the praise of men, but endeavor only to be faithful to God and to have His approval. They manifest the Spirit of Christ and show compassion for the needs of humanity. The appreciate not only the saints in the past but also the faithful parents and minsters of the present. They make sure their heart is right with God, and this in turn causes the outward details of their life to be consistent.
Matthew 23 gives a striking portrayal of how severely Jesus denounce hypocrisy. He was tender and compassionate to repentant sinners, to the sick and crippled, and to women and children. But He sharply rebuked the self-righteous hypocrites. Satan wants religious people to take a careless attitude. He know the hypocrites hind the cause of Christ.
The words of Jesus help us to recognize the characteristics of hypocrisy. As we consider them, we need to examine our life to see if there is any evidence of this evil. Hypocrites "say, and do not." The fail the practice what they tech. "All their works they do for to be seen of men" and to receive the praise of men.
Hypocrites lack compassion and take advantage of helpless ones such as widows. The make a display of their religious exercises ("long prayers"). They are particular about little outward details ("strain at a gnat"), but they overlook the weightier matters of true religion ("swallow a camel"). They are blind but try to lead the rejecting clear teachings of the Scriptures. Hypocrites may fool people, but they did not fool Jesus, because He know their hearts.
The true people of God are humble and sincere. They do not seek the praise of men, but endeavor only to be faithful to God and to have His approval. They manifest the Spirit of Christ and show compassion for the needs of humanity. The appreciate not only the saints in the past but also the faithful parents and minsters of the present. They make sure their heart is right with God, and this in turn causes the outward details of their life to be consistent.
