1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. (Luke 12:1–3, NKJV)
Christians are often accused of hypocrisy when they commit a sin. Yet, hypocrisy is not merely committing a sin, it is pretending to be something other than what is real. It is pretense, play-acting, an outward show in order “to create a public impression that is at odds with one’s real purposes or motivations” (Greek-English Lexicon, Arndt, Danker, Bauer, p. 1038). The Pharisees pretended to be pious while their motives were evil. Their outward display of righteousness was empty as they “made the commandment of God of no effect” by the traditions they bound on people (Matt. 15:6-9). As He warns against Pharisaical hypocrisy, Jesus assures us that such sins will be fully exposed. Hypocrisy will not go undetected. Be genuine in your faith. Disciples of Jesus avoid hypocrisy, walking by faith and repenting when they sin against the Lord.
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