BEWARE THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES
Joe R. Price

In ancient Greece and Rome, a stage-actor was known as a "hypocrite" (the word primarily denoting "one who answers"). It was customary for Greek and Roman actors to speak in large masks with mechanical devices for augmenting the force of the voice. These masks made their voices seem to be louder than they actually were. So, the word was eventually used to describe someone who gave himself out to be something he was not, a dissembler or hypocrite (W. E. VINE, II:242). Hypocrisy is pretense, play-acting.

While pretence on the stage may be harmless enough, it is another matter when it comes to the moral and spiritual realm. Did you know that every time the word "hypocrite" is found in the New Testament, it is used by the Lord Himself? In Matthew 23:3, His description of the scribes and Pharisees aptly defines hypocrisy: "they say and do not." They were religious pretenders. Jesus emphatically condemned hypocrisy.

In Luke 12:1, Jesus said to His disciples: "Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy." According to Matthew 16:12, their teaching contributed to their hypocrisy. Undoubtedly, whenever they elevated their traditions to a status above the word of God, their hypocrisy was showing through (Matthew 15:3-9). You see, while they "transgress(ed) the commandment of God because of their tradition" (Matthew 15:3), they continued setting themselves forth as obedient to God!

Jesus pronounces destruction upon the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23. Using it and other scriptures, please think with me about some of the characteristics of hypocrisy. These should help us to identify, repent of and avoid this dreadful sin in our lives.

1. Hypocrisy obligates others while excusing self (Matthew 23:4). The hypocrite places burdens upon others while excusing himself of his obligation. As already noted from Matthew 15:3-9, the hypocrite binds his traditions upon others, then he harshly judges the person who does not abide in that tradition. This trait is rebuked by Jesus in Matthew 7:1-5, where the hypocrite is pictured as trying to extract the speck from his brother's eye while a beam is lodged in his own. We must avoid hypocrisy by removing the beam from our own eye so that we can then help our brother with his "speck."

2. Hypocrisy is overly concerned about outward appearances (Matthew 23:5-7). Jesus said that "all their works they do to be seen of men" (v. 5). Winning man's approval is of primary concern to the hypocrite. While ignoring the condition of his heart, the hypocrite is supremely confident that because he appears righteous, he is righteous. Jesus compared such an external emphasis to a cup and platter which is clean on the outside, but inside is full of filth (Matthew 23:25-26), and to whited sepulchres which are outwardly beautiful, but inwardly full of corruption (Matthew 23:27-28). Why do you do what you do religiously and morally? Is it due to your abiding faith in God and commitment to Christ? Or is it to have the praise of men?

3. Hypocrisy strains out the gnat while swallowing a camel (Matthew 23:23-24). That is, the hypocrite becomes consumed with the minute details of obedience while at the same time ignoring the basis for that obedience. Justice, mercy and faith must undergird our obedience to God and service to man. Jesus assures us that we must obey even the least command (Matthew 23:23; cf. 5:19-20), while also warning us that our concern for the commands of God must grow out of these "weightier matters of the law."

4. Hypocrisy spreads (Luke 12:1). Jesus likened it to leaven. Since most of us want the approval of our peers, we are tempted to act hypocritically in order to assure our acceptance. So, we pretend to be something we are not for the benefit of others. The influence of hypocrisy is vividly witnessed in Galatians 2:12-13, where a whole group of Jewish Christians were influenced to sin by Peter's hypocrisy.

5. Hypocrisy condemns (Galatians 2:11). There is no question that moral and religious hypocrisy is repulsive to God. It will cause you to be lost.

6. Hypocrisy will be exposed (Luke 12:2-5). Hypocrisy tries to cover up its true identity. But, since every hidden thing will be exposed as God judges sin, we should fear God rather than man. By fearing man rather than God, hypocrisy hopes to secure man's approval. But in the process, God's approval is forfeited. Put away hypocrisies (1 Peter 2:1).