Narrow Way with Steve Phillips Hypocrisy
Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy –Luke 12:1
Hypocrisy is a masquerade, a clever drama. A role is assumed and performed with impressive persuasion to the admiration of onlookers. And religious leaders have perfected this theatre art.
The character portrayed by the Pharisee is that of “Man of God.” The role is studied minutely; long hours of laborious concentration to perfect the part issue in its well-rehearsed performance.
It is a calculated show: The costumes are donned, facial expressions are carefully studied, accents are adopted, and lines are memorized. Props are employed to lend credence to the act. All is a synchronized flowing sequence of convincing portrayal. But it is just that, an act of Hypocrisy.
With a ceremonious swish of sanctity in a flurry of tasseled blue [Matthew 23:5], they exit the church’s stage until the next curtain call. There, unmasked, in private counsel with fellow pretenders, their deeds of darkness are forged. “Then the Pharisees went and counseled together how they might trap Him in what He said” –Matthew 22:15. With serpentine twists of the Bible itself, they would contradict Christ.
“The chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, ‘What are we doing? If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.’ So from that day on they planned together to kill Him” –John 11:47,48,53.
No unhallowed union is spared by these supposed separated fools in formulating their hateful schemes. “And the Pharisees went out and immediately began plotting with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might assassinate Him” -Mark 3:6. Corrupt Politicians and corrupt Pastors are really one and the same: Hypocrites, pretending to benefit the people while avarice and pride are their necklace.
“Ah, but now, the temple, the synagogue, and the market place are calling; the show must go on. There are trumpets to be blown, mint to be tithed, fasts to endure, prayers to recite, Scriptures to be shuffled, seats to ascend, greetings to acknowledge, ceremonies to perform, hands to be washed, and Christs to be contradicted, condemned, and crucified.
“We must honor God with our lips though our hearts are far from Him [Mark 7:6]. We must worship God in the utter vanity of our own opinions of man-made Tradition [Mark 7:7]. We are constrained to be as eyes to the blind so they too can plunge headlong into our pit [Matthew 15:14].
“Oh yes, and the key of knowledge: the door must be barricaded and guarded fast lest any should enter therein [Luke 11:52]. And, certainly, prayers: we believe they should be long, very long [Matthew 23:14], and when at all possible on the street corner or in the synagogues [Matthew 6:5], and by all means with wholehearted thanks that we are unlike other men [Luke 18:11].
“Indeed, sacrifices must go on! How else could we continue to finger the Mammon of unrighteousness [Luke 16:13-15]! And where shall tithes and offerings be placed if not in our den of thieves [Matthew 21:12,13]! What other source of revenue is there to fund the deeds of a Judas unless it be the shekel of the sanctuary [Matthew 26:14,15]! “We must love our money [Luke 16:14,15]!
“We have to exalt ourselves! Our opinions must prevail! And of course we actually despise the Lord of Glory! You see, we are Hypocrites. All is a masquerade. The lord of light governs our every move [2 Corinthians 11:14]. Surely this is no cause to marvel, is it?”
“‘It is not surprising if Satan’s ministers also disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness’” -2 Corinthians 11:15. But, then again, ours has been an unrivaled performance for centuries now.
Hypocrites shall be turned into hell, “for the congregation of Hypocrites shall be desolate, fire will burn the houses of those who love bribes” -Job 15:34. And Jesus is characteristically blunt in addressing all such religious pretenders, asking: “How can you escape the damnation of hell?” –Matthew 23:33.
The truth is, you can’t: that is, if you’re a Hypocrite.
Hypocrisy is a religious mask that will be unceremoniously ripped off the face of every pretending fool, leaving the wearer naked, ashamed, and terrified before the all-searching eye of the holy God of Light. Lay aside your mask and costumed folly now before trembling seizes the Hypocrites [Isaiah 33:14].