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Don't be a hypocrite
'...do not be like the hypocrites...' Matthew 6:5
Hypocrite. Have you ever called anyone that? Do you know what it actually means? The word came from a city built by Herod the Great when Jesus was just a wee boy, which had a huge outdoor theatre. The actors who performed there wore masks for each character, and were called 'hypokrites'. So 'hypocrite' basically means to wear a mask to impress or deceive other people. Jesus was the only person in the New Testament who used the word 'hypocrite', and he used it to refer to three specific things; giving, praying and judging.
Matthew 6:2 basically says: don't tell the whole world when you give someone something, just to make yourself look good. Matthew 6:6 tells you that when you pray, it should be between you and God; not done to show off to others.
Remember prayer is a conversation between you and God; you wouldn't shout out all your other conversations in life, would you? Finally, Matthew 7:2-5 reminds us that if you make a big deal out of judging others, it'll come back to bite you on the bum! You're not perfect, but don't try and make yourself look better by picking on other people's faults.
So the word for you today is, don't be a hypocrite. Be real in your giving, praying and judging. Don't wear a mask to impress or deceive those around you; let them, and God, see the real you.
written by Bob Gass
'...do not be like the hypocrites...' Matthew 6:5
Hypocrite. Have you ever called anyone that? Do you know what it actually means? The word came from a city built by Herod the Great when Jesus was just a wee boy, which had a huge outdoor theatre. The actors who performed there wore masks for each character, and were called 'hypokrites'. So 'hypocrite' basically means to wear a mask to impress or deceive other people. Jesus was the only person in the New Testament who used the word 'hypocrite', and he used it to refer to three specific things; giving, praying and judging.
Matthew 6:2 basically says: don't tell the whole world when you give someone something, just to make yourself look good. Matthew 6:6 tells you that when you pray, it should be between you and God; not done to show off to others.
Remember prayer is a conversation between you and God; you wouldn't shout out all your other conversations in life, would you? Finally, Matthew 7:2-5 reminds us that if you make a big deal out of judging others, it'll come back to bite you on the bum! You're not perfect, but don't try and make yourself look better by picking on other people's faults.
So the word for you today is, don't be a hypocrite. Be real in your giving, praying and judging. Don't wear a mask to impress or deceive those around you; let them, and God, see the real you.
written by Bob Gass
