Matthew 23:3

“Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.”

The perfect definition of hypocrisy is best captured in the famous adage, “do what I say and not what I do.” The fraud of religionists is that they teach high-sounding spiritual principles and raise very high standards of morality before the people, even though they themselves do not abide by those standards themselves.

Jesus concurred that their teachings were in order, but the problem was that their lives did not agree with what they taught. We must, therefore, be wary of two things wrapped up in this vice of hypocrisy. First, we must not imitate the lives of religionists whose lives contradict the Word of God. Men must never be our standards of behavior, even if they are spiritual leaders. Secondly, we must ensure that our own lives agree with what we teach and what the Bible teaches. I must be very careful that I do not become a false teacher and superficial leader, whom people will identify as a hypocrite.

“O Lord, may I never become a hypocrite like the Pharisees and Sadducees. May I not be quick to teach things that I myself have not been able to practice and if I must so teach them, may I be humble enough to let my audience know that I am yet not perfected in practicing that principle. In Jesus name. Amen.”