Hypocrisy in Action

A hypocrite is a fellow who isn't himself on Sunday.

The hypocrite sings:

Have Thine Own Way, Lord but does as he pleases.

Onward Christian Soldiers but is usually AWOL from the Lord's army.

I Love To Tell the Story but never mentions Christ to his friends.

Throw Out the Lifeline but is satisfied to throw out a fishing line instead.

Blest Be the Tie That Binds but lets the least little offense sever it.

All To Jesus I Surrender even though he has capitulated to Satan and is, in fact, a servant of sin.

The hypocrite prays:

"Give the speaker a ready remembrance of those things he has prepared to say" and then sleeps through the sermon.

"Bless those who are sick and shut-in," but never lifts a finger to help them.

"Bring us back at the next appointed time,' and then sits home on Sunday evening to watch television.

"Help us remain unspotted from the world," but he views pornographic literature and watches moral filth on the internet and at the movies.

"Forgive us of our sins as we forgive our debtors," but will hold a grudge till his dying day.

"Help us raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord," and then leads them astray through his corrupt and contaminated example.

The hypocrite says, "Amen," when the preacher speaks on "The Sins of the Tongue," but often uses foul language and takes the Lord's name in vain. He goes out the door and says, "You really told them today, preacher!" and then participates in the very thing that was condemned!

Let us remember that the Lord has never been pleased with those who "say, and do not" (Matt. 23:1-3). The same could be said of those who "sing, and do not" as well as those who "pray, and do not." For the hypocrite, religion is but an outward show; he only pays lip-service to Christianity. Let's avoid falling into this trap (Luke 6:46-49).

By Mark Mayberry via THE BEACON - Electronic Edition - 11/30/2010

Return to the General Articles page

Home / Bible studies / Bible Survey / Special Studies / General Articles / Non-Bible Articles / Sermons / Sermon Outlines / Links / Questions and Answers / What Saith The Scriptures /Daily Devotional / Correspondence Courses / What is the Church of Christ / Book: Christian Growth / Website Policy / E-mail / About Me /