These days, our reaction as a society to hypocrisy could be an illustration of hypocrisy itself.
The entrenched on either side of an issue scream “Hypocrite!” at each other across a divide of their own making…to insure the increase of that divide. Like children choosing sides to play Red Rover, many of our politicians, our elites, and our wannabe-powerful people need as many bodies as possible to shore up their line of defense so that no one is aware of what is happening behind them and their view forward is obstructed.
Should any hypocritical action or verbiage be uncovered, those same politicians, elites, and wannabes treat the whole thing as if it’s the same as a ‘little white lie.’ That rationalization given over and over and over again gives them cover for doing what we intrinsically know is morally wrong. That would be bad enough except for a couple of things. Lying has become an art form. Word salads and shifting definitions have worked to blur any deceit of our tongues into a ‘little white lie,’ not worth acknowledging, not requiring an apology, nor any impetus to right the wrong. Secondly, hypocrisy is, in and of itself, a lie—a pretense, a phony word or spurious act—meant to deceive. They rationalize, we rationalize and rationalize until we convince ourselves that it’s not that bad.
Ah, but it is. There is a reason God detests lying lips, a heart for devious plans, and agitators.1 It is why Jesus will tell many of us who believe that we are destined for eternal life that He “never knew” us.2 It is why Jesus-denier-turned-Apostle Paul condemned Apostle Peter-the-Rock—in public—for hypocrisy.3
Hypocrisy is the coward’s power play. It offers anonymity, the hidden-ness that the coward prefers, to flip the proverbial middle finger at anyone the coward chooses. If you’re a Christian, hypocrisy points that middle finger directly at the Cross.
The cover and camouflage offered by hypocrisy also hides the little thrill of power that comes with appearing better than or making a fool of another. The coward perceives they have a leg up because they have the power to dupe others into believing they are something they are not—strong.
Too often the cowardice of hypocrisy morphs…and it’s never pretty. That little thrill of power morphs into a thirst that must be satisfied and protected. Ever notice how often pettiness mutates into cruelty? The do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do mindset of hypocrisy lets one do most anything to maintain—and increase—the appearance of strength and the power therein.
Therein lies the wrongness of hypocrisy. Lies, in any form, are not a foundation on which to build anything. Lies are sinking sand4 that will not support anything forever. When what is built on lies eventually crumbles, the hypocrite and the duped innocent will suffer. Too often, the duped innocents will pay the higher price.
The hypocrite will tell you that they are benevolently exercising their power over others to insure the safety of all while not holding themselves accountable for anything. In truth, our politicians, elites, and wannabes are responsible for/to others—a completely different mindset. The person who takes on responsibility for others actually forfeits, by choice, some of their autonomy by inviting accountability. That forfeiture can be quite costly. One that exercises power over others won’t countenance accountability. How hypocritical is that?!
Any tongue can profess the Gospel. Living the Gospel is the light of faith. It is between the professing and the living that many Christians unconsciously become hypocrites.2 Christians are to be known by the fruit they bear5—love of neighbors and love of enemies. The only fruit hypocrisy bears is poisonous. As Christians, that poison is unbelief. (I believe! Help me in my unbelief!6)
Hypocrisy, like pride, is often a colorless and odorless sin that infiltrates our spirits in some of the most innocuous ways. True humility and Christ’s variety of meekness7 are good guards for the unbelief that creeps into our thoughts, hearts, and souls. Forgiveness and redemption are beautiful things, thanks be to God!
- Proverbs 6:16-19
- Matthew 7:22-23
- Galatians 2:11-14
- Matthew 7:26-27
- Luke 6:43
- Mark 9:24
Matthew 11:29
Scattered Verses 