Hypocrites

At that time: So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples, “Beware of the leaven–that is, the hypocrisy–of the Pharisees. “There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore, whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. 

I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:1-7)

Can we keep secrets, such as our being hypocrites?  Chances are when we speak, we reveal who we really are unless we are skilled at deception.  Even then, if we live in darkness where we practice our hypocrisy, what we say will shed light on what we believe and who we follow.  Deception relies on lies, and lies can trip us up.  Whispering our lies will do no good because once found out they will be proclaimed on the housetops meaning all will know our concealed hypocrisy.

Hypocrisy is demeaning and shameful.  It is self-destructive making us far less valuable than five sparrows.  Even so, we do not escape the notice of God.  And that should be our concern.  Concealment and closed doors will do us no good.  There is no place to hide from God who knows the number of hairs on our heads, so to speak.  

Hypocrites, as in politics, need to be afraid because hypocrisy erodes and kills the soul.  It casts us into Gehenna, and we are there before we know it.  Truth-telling is our lifeline just as Jesus is our life coach.

Deacon David Pierce