In a few days little ones will be wearing masks and pretending to be a superhero, monster, or their favorite fictional character. This is all in fun, but thinking of masks also reminds me of a biblical subject. The term hypocrite and its plural form is used 21 times in the New Testament, with Jesus saying it 20 of those times. A hypocrite is someone who is pretending to be someone he is not. Jesus told the Jewish leaders they were pretending to worship God but were really concerned with honoring themselves (Matthew 15:3-9). Being the Son of God, he knew their true thoughts.
Nobody wants to be thought of as a hypocrite. Yet Christians struggle with their words not revealing their true thoughts. Have you ever had a conversation with a brother or sister on Sunday morning and spoke kind and pleasant words to them, but on the inside you were actually harboring negative thoughts about them? If so, do you think that was sinful? Asked another way, do you think that was being deceitful?
We need to remember that our thoughts matter to God. He wants our thoughts to be like his thoughts and our ways to be like his ways (cf. Isaiah 55:7,8). Therefore, you cannot rationalize a situation by believing that it is okay to think it as long as you do not say it. Consider the way Scripture pictures a man who does just that: Fervent lips with a wicked heart are like earthenware covered with silver dross. He who hates, disguises it with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself; when he speaks kindly, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly (Proverbs 26:23-26 NKJV).
Even if we can fool the person to whom we are talking, we cannot fool God. He sees "the hidden person of the heart" (1 Peter 3:4). Regarding this person, Jesus gave this instruction: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also" (Matthew 23:25,26). We must remember that God will bring every secret thing into judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:14; Romans 2:16).
So, what can be done if this describes your situation? Jesus said, Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven... Moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother (Matthew 18:10,15). So, do not think ill of your brethren and work it out with them if you do. Obeying the Lord here will require courage and compassion. As followers of Christ, we should possess these virtues, and thus, be able to do what our Lord commanded. The dreadful alternative is to have these "secrets" exposed on the day of judgment. Can you say to someone what you really think about him?
Brotherly, Jamie
