Hypocrisy has been defined as "Simulation; a feigning to be what one is not; or dissimulation, a concealment of one's real character or motives." In Luke 12:1, Jesus told his disciples, "...Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy." I believe that Jesus was warning his disciples of this "leaven" because he didn't want the falsehood of this religious sect of the Jews, to take root and corrupt their heart and lives.
Worldly wisdom tells us to give a false appearance, regardless of the condition of our heart, but James 3:17 speaks Godly wisdom by saying, "But the wisdom that is from above is... without hypocrisy." We all know if our heart is right with God, and if Jesus Christ dwells within us; or if we're only hypocrites. Job 8:13 says, "...the hypocrite's hope shall perish;" so if we're only pretending to be a Christian but not really a Christian, our "hope" of going to heaven when we die, "shall perish"!
While considering the topic of "hypocrisy" in our relationship with God, let us also consider how addiction's are essentially hypocrisy towards self. A short definition of addiction is "Use despite harm", in other words; substance abuse is self destructive behavor. One part of the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40) that we don't often think about, is to "...love thy neighbor as thyself"; we are actually supposed to love ourselves, not destroy ourselves.
God doesn't want us to be hypocrites toward him through false religion, nor does he want us to be hypocrites toward ourselves through false behavior. Life Issues strives to be like the "...servant of the Lord... instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;" (2 Timothy 2:25, 26). Friend, don't be one who "oppose themselves" by being false toward God or yourself, but rather repent and acknowledge the truth, and let the truth make you free (John 8:32)!
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