Hypocrite

No one likes to be called a hypocrite. What is the definition of a hypocrite? Two-faced. A phony. Moral judgement without self judgement. Addiction to human approval. A critical spirit towards other’s actions while excusing your own. External conformity without internal change.

Matthew 23:23-26 Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 24 Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! 25 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. 26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.” (NKJ)

What kind of a hypocrite are you? The answer to that question depends on who you believe the REAL you is. If you believe the real you is what we see (your physical body and your five senses), then it would be hypocritical to say “I am healed” when you feel sick. Or “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” when you know there are so many things you can’t do. Or “I’m more than a conqueror” when you are walking around feeling so helpless and defeated. Or “I have the mind of Christ, and I know all things” when you can’t find your glasses sitting on top of your head.

1 Peter 2:23-24 …having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. (NKJ)

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJ)

Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (NKJ)

1 Corinthians 2:16 For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (NKJ)

1 John 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. (NKJ)

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJ)

However, if you believe the REAL you is a spiritual being born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible and you are a new creation, then it would be hypocritical for you to say “I’m sick” when the seed (the Word of God) says you are healed by His stripes. Or “I’m weak” when the Word says He has made me strong. Or “I can’t” when He says you can. Or “I’m defeated” when He has made us victors by His blood.

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (NKJ)

Ephesians 3:16 …that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, (NKJ)

Do you feel like a new creation and old things have become new?

Ephesians 4:20-24 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

God’s Word Translation But that is not what you learned from Christ’s teachings. 21 You have certainly heard His message and have been taught His ways. The truth is in Jesus. 22 You were taught to change the way you were living. The person you used to be will ruin you through desires that deceive you. 23 However, you were taught to have a new attitude. 24 You were also taught to become a new person created to be like God, truly righteous and holy.

When you became born again, it was your spirit man, the REAL you that was changed. You still have the same body, the same flesh and the same mind and thoughts.

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJ)

The only way to change your fleshly thoughts is through the Word of God. Be a hypocrite to the five senses and you will be the overcomer He has called you to be.