6 Hypocrites
The term “hypocrite” (as used in the Bible) means “imposter; deceiver; one who is playing a part, putting on an act.” According to the Scriptures, there are at least six ways in which one can be classified as a hypocrite:
1. The man play-acting goodness (Matthew 6:2,5,16)
2. The man who, in the name of religion, breaks God’s laws (Matthew 15:1-9)
3. The man who conceals his true motives under a cloak of seeming respect or compliments (Mt. 22:15-18)
4. The man who hides an evil heart behind a facade of piety or holiness (Matthew 23:28)
5. The man who becomes spiritually blind (Luke 12:56)
6. The man, who in the cause of religion, seduces others from the right way (cf. Gal. 2:13; 1 Tim. 4:2; 1 Pet. 2:1)
Hypocrites are found in every walk of life: in friendships, in family relationships, in politics, in religion, etc. The question is, are you one? Being that there is no place for hypocrites in heaven (Matt. 24:51), it is important that you answer that question. You may be able to fool your buddy, your brother, or your preacher, but you can never fool God (Heb. 4:13).