The hypocrite will desist from drunkenness, deceit, theft, idolatry, immorality, and a host of other sins while secretly holding tight to the sin of hypocrisy. The reason is simple: Hypocrisy is rooted in pride, which births an insatiable desire for praise and esteem. How do we deal with a sin so deeply embedded in the heart?

 

 

“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others” (v. 2) “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others” (v. 5). “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others” (v. 16) Matthew 6

In these simple examples, Christ makes it clear that we are to avoid hypocrisy (a desire to please man) and pursue sincerity (a desire to please God). What kind of impact would such an approach to religious life have upon the church? Martyn Lloyd-Jones provides a thoughtful answer:

If we were to all practice this, it would be revolutionary. . . .
What a difference it would make to church life, and the life of
every individual. Think of all the pretense and sham, and all
that is unworthy in us all. If only we realized that God is look-
ing at all, and is aware of it all, and is recording it all! That is
the teaching of the Scriptures, and that is its method of preach-
ing holiness—not offering people some marvelous experience
which solves all problems. No, it is just realizing that we are
always there in the presence of God. For the man who starts
with a true realization of that is soon to be seen flying to Christ
and His cross and pleading to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

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