Hypocrisy

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary a hypocrite is:
1) "a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion."  
2) "a person who acts in contraction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings."

The Bible also speaks about hypocrisy:
Matthew 7:3  "Why do you look at the speck of saw dust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"
Matthew 6:2  "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full."


As hard as it is, we must be careful not to judge people. It's possible we saw them at their worst moment.  And if we are honest with ourselves, we are all hypocrites... Some are just more obvious than others. We sin every single day and the only way we are saved is through God's grace and forgiveness.

*Many times, those who we think are hypocrites are really just sinners; we only catch them while they are sinning. Now ask this question to yourself: "Am I a sinner?" Answer is YES, because Jesus Christ was the only sinless man. Now all of the sudden, WE put ourselves in the same category as those hypocrites we were judging!

Take a look at what the Bible says about judging:
James 4:12  "There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?"
Matthew 7:1-2  "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you."


How to we keep from judging???
- We love them.


We are called to love others and forgive them.
John 13:34-35  "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
1 Peter 4:8  "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.


Challenge:
This week try to show love towards people, even in the midst of their sin. Show them that your not judging them and you truly do care. It will not go unnoticed.