The Psychology of Hypocrisy

Are You A Hypocrite?

Here is an interesting article. I like his thoughts "Lonnie Lee Best's Hypocrisy Formula is Hypocrisy = Beliefs - Actions."

I don't agree with everything obviously, but there are some things to think about.

The Bible is the best source of truth and false.

A hypocrite is a liar.

No liar will live in my palace; no hypocrite will remain in my presence. (Psalms 101:7)

Beware of flatters

A hypocrite hides hate behind flattering words. (Proverbs 26:24)

Outward show of religion

"So when you give something to a needy person, do not make a big show of it, as the hypocrites do in the houses of worship and on the streets. They do it so that people will praise them. I assure you, they have already been paid in full. (Matthew 6:2)

Man made rules and words but no heart towards God

You hypocrites! How right Isaiah was when he prophesied about you! 'These people, says God, honor me with their words, but their heart is really far away from me. It is no use for them to worship me, because they teach human rules as though they were my laws!' " (Matthew 15:7-9)

Seemingly innocent questions

The Pharisees went off and made a plan to trap Jesus with questions. Then they sent to him some of their disciples and some members of Herod's party. "Teacher," they said, "we know that you tell the truth. You teach the truth about God's will for people, without worrying about what others think, because you pay no attention to anyone's status. Tell us, then, what do you think? Is it against our Law to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor, or not?" Jesus, however, was aware of their evil plan, and so he said, "You hypocrites! Why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin for paying the tax!" They brought him the coin, and he asked them, "Whose face and name are these?" "The Emperor's," they answered. So Jesus said to them, "Well, then, pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor, and pay to God what belongs to God." When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away. (Matthew 22:15-22)

Teaching a false gospel

"How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You lock the door to the Kingdom of heaven in people's faces, but you yourselves don't go in, nor do you allow in those who are trying to enter! (Matthew 23:13)

There is only one hope

Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners! Purify your hearts, you hypocrites! (James 4:8)

But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing. (1 John 1:9)