Matthew 23 The Evil of Religious Hypocrisy

Jesus said that I should listen to the teachers of the law and the keepers of the law (Pharisees) because they are in the seat of Moses ("official interpreters of Scripture" NLB). (23:2) Apparently, they had rightful authority, and heeding someone with authority is good. However, don't follow their example, for they don't practice what they preach. (23:3) Jesus has nothing good to say about them, and plenty of bad to say to them. What could be so bad about people who are good preachers and Bible students?

In a word: hypocrisy. Hypocrites have the worst place in hell, according to 24:51. Everything is a pretense, but inside they are corrupt. Wait a minute. My theology tells me that EVERYONE is corrupt inside! So what's the problem with these guys? What Jesus can't stomach is those who THINK or ACT LIKE they are holier than others. Yes, they are bad. It's good that I am not like them! But a reflective reading makes me see that I fit many of the descriptions here.

Have I ever counseled anyone to fix their souls with impossible religious demands (pray more, memorize Scripture, be sexually pure, give up those bad habits), but never lifted a finger to help them get out from under the weight? Do I live my "professional" Christian life for show, to appear holy? Perhaps I carry my Bible and wear holy clothes, or have a holy hair cut, and I love to go first in line at church potlucks because I am important, and to sit at the speaker's table at banquets. I enjoy getting attention in public, and they enjoy titles. "Hey, Doctor Read!" the college students yell. "He's the most holy man I know," they say to one another, and I revel in the reputation. Notice the words "appear," "love" and "enjoy." Where is my heart? (23:4-7)

By my public posturing, I train others at the college to be like I am. They learn to carry themselves in a way that makes them look sincere, to act in ways that will get them hired as ministers, and to influence others through manipulation, just as I do. I train them to exalt themselves on their resumes, just as I exalt myself in my monthly prayer updates, or my daily blogs! (23:8-15)

I live as if a Bible college building or a church building is more holy than another place in life when I tell children to behave differently in one place than in another. When I emphasize the budget needs of the church, but don't love the kids in the neighborhood, I completely miss the heart of God. (23:16-24)

On the outside and in public, I appear to be a man of God. But what I don't show is that I am full of greed and self-indulgence on the inside. I say things to keep my friends, or my job, or to look acceptable in the eyes of others, but my very motive is all wrong, wanting to impress (or spiritually compete with) my friends. In my case, often I take a different route than the common party line, by starting a non-traditional (read "better") church or program, but it is still out of the motive of show. For me, it's all about winning, isn't it? I take a different path to show that mine is better. (23:25-28)

I can say, "It's a good thing I'm not like those Pharisees! They had Jesus killed, and I'm not like that!" But in saying it, I identify the very heart of THEIR sin, but don't recognize it as MY OWN. The inside of my cup is dirty, my interior life is full of deception, even self-deception, and I can't even recognize it in myself, because I like to think of myself as a "good" person. (23:29-35)

This is the worst sin of all; it is the sin of hypocrisy. Hypocrisy keeps most of the people in the world far away from the church. Worse yet, it keeps most of the church out of heaven! In 24:50-51 Jesus says that those who oppress others, party and get drunk will be banished WITH THE HYPOCRITES, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. How ironic that the ones whose behavior I judge the most will be joining me in hell, if I do not repent and diligently guard the doors of my heart.

"LORD, occasionally I have recognized hypocrisy in myself, but mostly I have seen it in others. Forgive me for judging, when I am full of dead men's bones myself. Cleanse me, Holy Spirit! Renew a right spirit within me, and let me seek true service to others, and not just outward appearances. I confess my spiritual pride, and my competitiveness that makes me want to maintain a good reputation as a holy man. Just let me be your servant without a thought of me. I'd rather be a doorkeeper in Your house than to be honored among the ungodly. Make me Yours."
-ker