In his famous Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus teaches his disciples what it really means to be a pursuer of God. He sets a contrast between being an authentic disciple and a phony hypocrite. The word “hypocrite” comes from the Greek word “hypokrites”, which means “stage actor”. A hypocrite is a person who preaches one thing, but does another. A disciple is a follower of Jesus who genuinely wants to honor God, even though he doesn’t do it perfectly.
The outward actions of a disciple vs. a hypocrite
When it comes to outward actions, it might be hard to tell the difference between a disciple and a hypocrite at first glance. Both groups are trying to honor God on the outside (see Two Types of Hypocrites). Many people today confuse this point. They reason that hypocrites try to make themselves look good (which is true), so authentic disciples shouldn’t (which is false). God cares about our outward actions, and he wants us to honor him in everyday life.
Matthew 5:19-20 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!”
The internal motivation of a disciple vs. a hypocrite
The real difference between a true disciple and a phony hypocrite is at the heart level. A hypocrite is a person who tends to look very religious or moral, but is actually corrupt on the inside. At church, hypocrites may carry large Bibles, attend church every week, and even serve on a team. But their hearts aren’t focused on honoring God and helping others. Instead, they are trying to make themselves look good. Their motivation is self-focused.
Matthew 6:1-2 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.”
A true disciple wants to honor God from the heart. He doesn’t do it because others are watching, but because God is watching. He wants a relationship with God, with God at the center of the picture.
The environmental effect of a disciple vs. a hypocrite
Hypocrisy leads to a judgmental attitude. Hypocrites deflect attention from their own brokenness by pointing out someone else’s sin. It makes them feel better about themselves in the short run, but in the long run it embeds them deeper into their own sins – and it creates a toxic environment.
Matthew 7:3-5 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.”
By contrast authentic disciples want to help people who struggle with sin – because they can relate. They don’t just walk away and leave people in their sin, but they do their best to help people back onto the right path.
Galatians 6:1-2 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Jesus didn’t tolerate hypocrisy. If you realize you are being a hypocrite, confess your sin to God, ask for forgiveness, and ask others to help you live like an authentic disciple.
Discussion Questions:
- Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
- What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
- Give some examples of hypocrisy that you have witnessed. These can be examples of religious hypocrisy or other types of hypocrisy.
- Describe a time when you acted like a hypocrite. How did you realize your error?
- Read Matthew 6:2-16. Why was Jesus bothered by hypocrisy?
- How can we prevent ourselves from slipping into hypocrisy?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
