The Jesus Correction – Hypocrisy
Key Scriptures: Titus 1:6 NLT; Matthew 23:27-28,33; Matthew 23:25-26 NLT; Proverbs 28:13 NLT; Luke 12:1-3 NLT; Psalm 139:23-24 NLT
Key Words: Hupokrites (hoop-ok-ree-tace’); an actor; stage-player, one who hides behind a mask.
Take Away:
Hypocrisy is not the disparity between what we do and what we wish we did.
Hypocrisy is the gap between what we show and who we have been made to be.
Jesus has zero-tolerance for hypocrisy.
You are only as strong as you are honest.
You have nothing to fear when you have nothing to hide.
Let’s Talk: Have you ever known someone who is one way at work, but completely different at home?
How did it make you feel to know that the person was one way at home and another way at work?
Was it easy or difficult to get to know the real person? Why?
Let’s Think: Brennan Manning, author of Ragamuffin Gospel,
says, “the single greatest cause of atheism in the
the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus
with their lips, then walk out the door, and deny him
with their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world
simply finds unbelievable.”
Has this statement ever described your lifestyle?
If so, how has God helped you overcome it?
Going Deeper: Hypocrisy is not the disparity between what we do and what we wish we did.
Can you remember a time when you did something you didn’t want to do even though you were trying to do what you wanted to do?
Were you able to share your shortcomings with someone, or did you keep it to yourself?
How is it beneficial to share our shortcomings and mistakes with others?
Prayer: In your prayer time, ask God to reveal to you any hypocrisy in your life. Write down in your journal what He reveals to you. Ask Him to help you be honest and vulnerable with those around you. Lastly, ask Him to transform you from the inside out!
Walk It Out: As God shows you areas of hypocrisy in your life, allow His grace and forgiveness to work in your heart. Remember, we don’t close gaps with perfection, we close them with Christ!