Love Without Hypocrisy - 1

Having been reminded of what God told His prophet Isaiah about God’s own people, who were simply pretentious and hypocritical in worship to Him, we listen to Jesus, Son of God.

Jesus comes along, many years later and observes the same attitude and hypocrisy in some religious leaders of His day. Scribes and Pharisees have confronted Jesus, accusing Him of not being a true, honest, law abiding Rabbi, as He was doing a grave injustice to His disciples, by teaching them what was contrary to tradition. Jesus does not hesitate to use the Spirit’s sword on them as, quoting the prophet Isaiah, He answered and said to them, Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. Mark 7: 6 – 7.

The point being emphasised is that hypocrisy is not dead and it can raise its evil, destructive head, in any area. Having noted that it can be found in one’s worship and honour to God, it comes as no great surprise to know that hypocrisy can be found in our love for God and others.

As you walk through what this week offers, may you know a steady and sure gait, as Teacher Holy Spirit, leads. And if perchance your faith is feeble, and you faintly trust all that you are receiving, be not dismayed. The Comforter, Helper, Compassionate Friend and Sweet Spirit of Truth will not in any way, be less pitiful to you. Walk on in the sure faithfulness and fullness of a Most Gracious, Holy Spirit. 

The author of the letter to the Romans, found it necessary to give this cautionary word to the Church at Rome. In other words, this word professed oneness with God who is Love. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Romans 12: 9. Paul, who penned these words was deeply concerned with hypocrisy in love for God and others, which was slowly, but subtly encroaching into the very fabric of the Body of Believers.

Remember, hypocrisy is of the evil one and he is never ever slow, weary or reticent in pouncing upon God’s people, whenever and wherever he can. The devil knows only too well that hypocrisy is not of God, therefore, if he can inveigle God’s people to live hypocritical lives, he knows that he is ensured of victory upon victory.

Turning directly to the text, three distinct admonitions or commands have been given to us.  Let’s deal with the first one here.

First Admonition  - Let love be without hypocrisy.  

Other Bible translations use different words to describe how love ought to be, or ought not to be. In the KJV our admonition is to, Let love be without dissimilation. In the NIV, our order is that Love must be sincere.  Be it known that these and the many other phrases in different Bible translations, all amount to the same understanding. However, for us humans, with our extremely self-righteous hearts and minds, and our super-sensitive, attached egos, we need to stick with the ego-gutting word, hypocrisy. I offer you three of many reasons why I have said this.

• The word itself, hypocrisy, is our enemy of many, and Holy Spirit has come to help us conquer each enemy.

• The word itself, hypocrisy, is the fear of many, and Holy Spirit has come to help us cull each fear.

• The word itself, hypocrisy, is the curse of many, and Holy Spirit has come to help us capsize each curse.

It is with this heart-stirring, mind-uplifting and soul-refreshing assurance that we thank God for frankness of speech. We thank our Lord for all His servants who are not held captive by fear or favour in their delivery of truth. Let love be minus hypocrisy. Again we iterate this fact. Love can be adulterated by hypocrisy. Love can be infiltrated by poisonous pretence. Our command is that love must be minus, or without hypocrisy.