Hennie Jackson's Thoughts: HYPOCRISY IN HOLLYWOOD: Pretending To Be What You Are Not

Matthew 6:2New International Version (NIV)

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

Matthew 6:5New International Version (NIV)

Prayer
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

Matthew 6:16New International Version (NIV)

Fasting
16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

What Does Hypocrisy mean?

hy·poc·ri·sy

həˈpäkrəsē/

noun

the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform;

pretense.

In the New Testament, Jesus' pronouncements against hypocrisy are directed to the scribes and Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day. They were condemned because They were more concerned with the letter of the law than with its intention. they calculated their outward appearance rather than desiring pure hearts. Not only did they bring condemnation upon themselves, but they steered other away from the kingdom of God by teaching false doctrines, setting impossible standards, and giving faulty advice. They sought the reward of self-glorification rather than the approval of God. Later in the New Testament, others within the Christian church were also confronted with the sin of hypocrisy. New Testament writers often warned their readers of this pitfall (1 Peter 2:1). Hypocrisy was found even in the Old Testament among the people of Israel and the false prophets. In Isaiah 32:6, those who spread error about the Lord are called "foolish." They practice "ungodliness" and neglect the needs of others. the Christian church today needs to be mindful of these warnings against hypocrisy.

PRETENDING TO BE CHRISTIANS