Hypocrisy and It's Effect

Hypocrisy and It’s Effects

Hypocrisy is not a subject you will often hear in the pulpits of churches today. It steps on to many toes and that which steps on toes effects what is put in the offering plates. You get more in love offerings if you pat on the back and say it's OK. That in itself is hypocrisy...the drive to be on more radio and TV stations, to have the biggest church building and congregation, to build up a wealth life style while your flock is in need and struggling financially. Let the gossips gossip and let every thing needing reproof and correction go just to keep everyone happy and giving to the max. Hypocrisy is also people in the church putting on their Sunday faces in church on Sunday and then living lives as far off as the most ungodly unbeliever during the week. Now I don't think this blog is going to make everyone feel good but I pray that it makes some bold to stand up and say enough is enough.

In the following metaphor, Jesus referred to himself as the true vine (not just the right way but the only way). God is the operator of the vineyard. Jesus said that as long as we remained in him (the body of Christ) and his Words remained in us (not just head knowledge but knowledge applied) we would bring forth fruit. That without a living relationship with him we would not be able to accomplish the things we needed to accomplish.
"John 15: 1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned."
When we stop abiding in Christ, we have stopped doing the things that the Gospel says we are to do and have taken our own pathway to follow. Such is the pathway of the hypocrite and it is the state we degrade to when we allow our senses to overrule God's Word in our lives.

Hypocrisy is a mental attitude that has been an issue since men began to worship God. Many people today have had the witness of Christianity ruined or have had their hearts and faith damaged as the result of encountering this type of attitude in the church. Yes, there are hypocrites in the church and it might appear that God has rounded up all the hypocrites and put them in church buildings on Sunday mornings, so that all the people in the world don't have to put up with them for a few hours each week. Now I'm not saying that everyone who goes to a church is a hypocrite, just that in the church you will find a lot of them.

No matter where the seed of hypocrisy roots itself in the spiritual soil of the church, there will be spiritual sickness, injustice, and willful perversion of God's Word to make the unacceptable to God acceptable in the sight of men at the expense of the righteous and truly virtuous.

The word "hypocrisy" is derived from the Greek word hypokrisis, which meant playing a part on the stage, or putting on a mask. In the ancient Greek theater, actors were known as hypocrites, without any negative connotation. In relation to God's Word and being a follower of Christ, being a hypocrite, pretending to be something while actually being something else is definitely viewed as wrong, and in matters of true doctrine it is a downright manifestation of evil (darkness). By definition a "hypocrite" is a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives. A person who makes deceitful pretenses. A person by their actions who intends to deceive and use deliberate trickery to gain an advantage over others.

Today in the church there are Christians who would fight to the death over the Bible being the inspired true Word of God, but who almost never take the time to pick up their Bible to read it and learn from it for themselves. Then there are the believers who propound and defend the great importance of the church in the world but have no problem at all gossiping and slandering the members of the church. Through the hypocrisy of leaders in the church, doctrinal error has been introduced and taught, to the overall harm of the church itself. When you take a real close look at exactly what hypocrisy really is, you will realize that hypocrisy is the outward manifestation of a heart that is too full of self-importance to have any room for God.

In the account in Matthew 23, Jesus taught the multitude and his disciples concerning the hypocrite. It was a most important lesson to be taught because it dealt with one of the strongest tools the Devil uses to stop the move of God's Word. The effect of the hypocrite on those around him or her can be compared to throwing a pebble in the water. The effect is not just a single splash and then gone, the ripples of change moving out from the center of the initial splash and proceed on further than one might consider. It is clear from the tone of Jesus' address to the scribes and Pharisees, that they through their hypocrisy had caused much harm and injustice among the people. He indicated that almost nothing they did was for the right reason, they mostly did what would give them notice, praise, and glory at the expense of the truth of God's Word and others. The same is true of many leaders in the church of our day and time. Through self-seeking for glory and fame and honor, they had left out the real matters of the law, judgment,

mercy, and faith. They had created burdens for the worshipers of God in general that they themselves would not even consider the bearing of, and had made minor offenses major while allowing the practice of major infractions with no consequences of reproof or correction. They did away with the law through the doctrines (traditions) of men that they taught as being the Word of God. They were the same as their fathers before them who had failed to receive God's Word through the prophets whom they had killed. Not many of the prophets God sent to Israel survived untouched by the hypocrites of their day. Hypocrisy, like a hereditary disease, was passed down from generation to generation, and it spreads in the body of Christ like a contagious disease today. By learning what God's Word has to say on a subject, there is produced the understanding ability to perceive and to treat this sickness in the church with the Word of God.
"Matthew 23: 1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. 13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. 14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. 15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. 16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! 17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? 18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. 19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? 20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. 21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. 22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. 23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?"

Let us look at what knowledge can be obtained from a comprehensive search of the scriptures on the subject of hypocrisy. When we know the stages and symptoms of this spiritual malady, then we can keep an eye on our hearts to ascertain that the infection of this insidious state of mind never gains a foothold in our hearts and minds. But, if you find a symptom in reading, then you know what you need to work on for certain.

God knows and detects hypocrites. They can not hide the thoughts and intentions of their hearts from God, who sees and understands the real motives behind their every thought and action.
"Isaiah 29:14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. 15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us? 16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?"

Jesus Christ knew and detected hypocrites through revelation (perceived) from God.
"Matthew 22:18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."

God has no pleasure in hypocrites and through the hypocrisy of a nation, its destruction is brought as God's judgment.
"Isaiah 9:17 Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. 18 For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke. 19 Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother."

The hypocrite is "willfully blind to the truth." They know what is right and what should be done, but take pleasure in going along against what the Word of God says. They would rather enjoy the lie than do the next right thing.
"Matthew 23: 17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?, 19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?, 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also."

The hypocrite is "vile" (morally reprehensible). Reprehensible being by definition, deserving severe rebuke or censure (as in: "adultery is as reprehensible for a husband as for a wife"). The person in the wrong (the hypocrite) uses their lying words to destroy the person in the right, even though the wronged person only speaks the truth.
"Isaiah 32: 6 For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail. 7 The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right."

The hypocrite is "self-righteous." They are quick to point fingers at others in comparison to make themselves appear righteous. You've seen them in action if you've attended church for any length of time. They get up and announce the sins of brother or sister in the church and then, after the character assignation, suggest that prayer be made for such a sinner as they have exposed to the church.
"Isaiah 65: 5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. 6 Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom,"
"Luke 18: 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess."

The hypocrite is "covetous" at heart. They will hear reproof by way of God's Word spoken to them and will give a show of agreement, but will not apply the correction of the Word of God spoken to them. In the end times false prophets and teachers will through covetousness and "feigned words" (hypocrisy) deceive many.
"Ezekiel 33: 31 Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD. 31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. 32 And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. 33 And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them."
"2 Peter 2: 1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."

Hypocrites are "ostentatious." Most everything they do is intended to attract notice and impress others.
"Matthew 23: 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues," 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi."

Hypocrites are "censorious." Their attitude toward other people is harshly critical and they are quick to express disapproval to others. They are quick to point out the faults of others in a condemning way.
"Matthew 7: 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."
"Luke 13: 14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.

15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? 16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?"

Hypocrites are more concerned with "Regarding Tradition" than regarding the Word of God and what God says should be done.
"Matthew 15: 1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?"

Hypocrites are insistently exact in minor duties but neglecting in important duties.
"Matthew 23: 22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. 23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."

Hypocrites have but only a form of godliness. In 2 Timothy, after a symptomatic description of the hypocrite, Paul states that this type of individual displays a form of godliness without the display of power manifested by the true practicing believer.
"2 Timothy 3: 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

Hypocrites are quick at professing what the Bible says but not quick at practicing what they teach.
"Romans 2: 17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, 18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; 19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, 20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. 21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? 23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. "

Hypocrites are characterized by their using "lip-worship (lip-service)". They pretend to worship God as a show for others. The type of people you encounter today who go to church to look good to the public (some business people, politicians, etc.). They attend worship services because it is good for getting more business or it will get them more votes than they would get if people really saw them for who they actually are. If they have learned the fear of God it was taught to them through the commandments of men, taught as true doctrine ("taught by the precept of men"). Without God's word in their hearts they easily allow themselves to lapse into practices divergent from the will of God.
"Isaiah 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:"
"Matthew 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:"

Hypocrites are characterized by glorying in appearance only, with no glory appearing from the heart.
"2 Corinthians 5:12; "12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart."

Hypocrites are "Trusting in Privileges" obtained by their predecessors.
"Jeremiah 7: 4 Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these."
"Matthew 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham."

Hypocrites are "apparently zealous" in the things of God. They work hard to appear righteous only to use their appearance as a cloak to cover the wickedness they take their pleasures in.
"Isaiah 58:2-7; "2 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. 3 Wherefore have we
fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. 4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. 5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to

afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? 6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?"

Hypocrites are "Zealous in making proselytes." A proselyte being by definition as used here, "a new convert; especially a gentile converted to Judaism." The hypocrite seeks the glory and praise to be had from Converting a "lost one" of a very apparent sinful state. (The poor convert ending up, under the tutelage of the hypocrites, in twice a damnable position as the hypocrites themselves.)
"Matthew 23: 15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves."

Hypocrites are exposed as "devouring widows' houses." They oppress and steal from them least able to defend themselves. The hypocrites focus their robbery on the poor, single moms, widows, whoever is in a weaker position that makes it easy to defraud.
"Matthew 23: 14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation."

Hypocrites "love preeminence." They love to be given a high status importance owing to their marked superiority, or so they would want all to believe.
"Matthew 23: 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi."

Worship of hypocrites is "not" acceptable to God.
"Isaiah 1: 10 Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. 11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. 12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? 13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. 14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. 15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood."
"Matthew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

Hypocrites destroy others by slander and gossip (you know...good old backbiting!).
"Proverbs 11: 9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered."

When Hypocrites are in positions of power (president, congressmen, judges, sheriffs, mayors, governors, ministry, etc.) they are a snare and a trap to the people they rule over ("lead").
"Job 34: 29 When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only: 30 That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared."

The Apostasy of the Antichrist will abound with Hypocrites.
"1 Timothy 4: 1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth."

Spirit of hypocrisy, hinders growth in grace and knowledge of God's Word.
"1 Peter 2: 1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:"

Hypocrites will not escape the judgements of God. Neither individual hypocrites or a nation of hypocrites, nor a church full of hypocrites.
"Job 15: 33 He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and shall cast off his flower as the olive. 34 For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery."
"Isaiah 10: 5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. 6 I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets."

"Matthew 24: 48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

From the preceding it is most apparent that hypocrisy is not a very desirable state to allow one's self to degrade into. It is a sure sign that something is very wrong and it is a certain symptom that the Word of God is not a real and living presence in the affected "hypocrite." Just as it is easy to observe the effects of hypocrisy on them who are targeted by the hypocritical members of the church, we must also keep in view that as in all things we are not dealing with individuals but with a spiritual battle. The hypocrite is but a foolish individual being used as a pawn by our adversary, the Devil, to seek out and try to destroy others. We must not hold them to blame in totality and should use our weapon of prayer and the sword of the spirit (the Word of God) to intervene and correct with instruction/reproof from the Word of God. When you know everything involved in this spiritual illness, you can, with more ease, keep your heart and minds free of this prevalent sickness in the church today.

Above all else, do not let the hypocrites cause you to blame God, for the problems they cause. Don't let them run you off from worshiping God with your fellow believers either. If the hypocrites are in the vineyard, as a workman for God, do a little trimming with the Word Of God (reproof & correction) and stand firm on the truth. Stand strong on God's Word and in no wise let the Devil defeat your love of God and love for your brothers and sisters in Christ, with his evil weapon, "the hypocrite." The time is short and the harvest is near and the true laborers are few. It is time that each of us take action to weed out the hypocrisy in the church. Leaving a church solves nothing because when you find the next one to attend you have the same situation there. It is time for ministers to do more than preach "feel good" sermons and address the real issues that rob their flock of God's blessings. It is time for church members to take a stand and use their God given right and ability to with love apply reproof and correction from God's Word to fight the spiritual fight against the hypocrisy in their midst as well.