The Optimistic Hypocrite
Woe to you…you hypocrites!
Matthew 23:23
John was well-respected as one of the most active members in the church. He tithed and gave to needy causes and even sat on several committees. So when one of the young men in the church called him a hypocrite to his face, it seemed the teenager was destined for discipline.
“Why would you call me a hypocrite?” John asked. “I love the Lord…and the work I do for Him.” he professed.
“And working for Satan, too?” the teen rejoined.
John was taken aback. “How dare you?!” he said. “Do you know how serious false accusations are?!”
“It’s not a false accusation,” the teen said bluntly. “I know what you do behind closed doors; so does God. You just think it’s a secret,” he added.
John fought to compose himself. “I don’t know what you think you know, but spreading rumors and destructive lies is defamation of character, young man! Do you realize charges could be brought against you for such talk?”
“Charges?! Against me?! What about you?! Serving alcohol to minors during private parties from that well-stocked bar at your cabin on Lake Erie?”
How could this kid know about that?! I haven’t told or invited anyone from around here to the cabin. How did this kid find out?!
†
Optimistic hypocrisy is the art of judging others as the real sinners while we ourselves live by a different standard, appearing as impressive symbols of Jesus’ sanctifying power. We do things, believing in our hearts we are good enough and worthy of salvation, refusing to surrender our whole heart because we enjoy a little sin. John believed his was hidden from those who mattered. In his arrogance, he was found out, unintentionally showing people that he was, indeed, hypocritical of what he professed.
The Pharisees felt they were superior, living by a different set of rules. Jesus called them on it.
There is a line across which we are not to wander. In his song, 'The Fall Line' Jack Johnson related to an unseen, yet real line that, once crossed, denotes losing our grip on honesty and falling into hypocrisy. It's equivalent in scripture is a religious spirit.
It is easy to judge others, while we, ourselves, do some of those same things, it makes us feel just a little bit better about our own failures.
But, as Jesus says in today's text, it is wrong and brings its own judgment. If we persist, we might just find ourselves, like John, being called out.
Prayer
“Reveal anything that doesn’t belong in my life, Lord, and help me surrender it to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
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