What is a hypocrite? If you asked the average person to define a hypocrite, they would state something along the lines of a person who states how people should live and does not live that way. At first glance it sounds good, but in reality it is wrong. For those of us who are familiar with the scriptures, we know exactly how a person should live. We know what the bible says about anger, forgiveness, pride, greed, lust, covetousness, fear, faith, compassion and the list goes on, but do you know anybody who always lives up to the biblical standard to which they know? I'll be the first to admit it. I don't live up to what I know. There are times I should respond to people with mercy and compassion, but instead I have become angry. There have been countless times when I should have had compassion towards others, but I acted in response to my own desires and needs. All of us fall into this same situation, but does that makes us hypocrites?
Because of this thought about hypocrisy, many live their lives feeling like a hypocrite. One of their greatest desires is that one day they will be able to live like they know they should live. Their life is one of guilt and personal shame. But we must stop and ask ourselves something, "Does God see them as hypocrites?"
In this passage, Pharisees and Herodians came to Jesus with the pretense that they believed that he was good, a teacher of God and not biased in his dealings with people, but it was a disguise so that they may trick him with their question about Caesar and taxes. Jesus responded to them with the accusation of them being hypocrites. (But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Matthew 22:18). These people actually were hypocrites because a hypocrite is defined as an actor under an assumed character. In other words, he is a person who pretends to be something that he is not. They pretended to believe in Jesus, but in actuality they did not.
Are you a hypocrite? Do you disguise yourself to be a lover of The Lord Jesus and pretend to act as if you strive to live for him? If so, you are a hypocrite. However, if you love The Lord, long to please him and strive to guard the commandments in your heart so that even the words of your mouth and the meditations of your heart are acceptable in his sight and yet fall to temptation, you are not an hypocrite. You are a sinner saved by grace.
Stop and think! Did Jesus call Peter a hypocrite after he denied him three times? In light of David's sins, was he considered a hypocrite? No, he was a man after God's own heart. Just because you struggle with sin and fall to temptation does not make you a hypocrite. A hypocrite plans to be one. He disguises himself to be something that he knows he is not. You know what you are. You are saved. You love The Lord and you strive to live for him. Hold your head up. You are not a hypocrite.
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