Real Wisdom

Think of your favourite movie or TV actor. Would you call them a hypocrite?

In Jesus’s time, play actors were called “hypocrites,” meaning “one who speaks from under a mask.” That gives new meaning to the moments when Jesus uses the word. When He calls the Pharisees hypocrites, He’s accusing them of pretending to be someone they aren’t for the sake of personal glory (Matthew 6:2).

Jesus exposes a powerful spiritual reality. We all wear masks. We all pretend to be better than we really are. Sometimes this is intentional, but often it’s so subtle that we hardly notice it ourselves.

At the root of hypocrisy is the desire to appear greater than those around us. God gave us passion and ambition so we would strive to become our best selves and do good works. But both can become twisted when used incorrectly. Passion turns into bitter envy when we resent people who seem better than us and want to tear them down. Ambition becomes sinful when our goal shifts from glorifying God to elevating ourselves (James 3:13-16).

The key to overcoming these hidden sins is honesty. Don’t pretend nothing is wrong, and don’t try to appear better than you are (James 3:14). Instead, be open to growth, slow to anger, sincere, and willing to change (James 3:17). Stop acting and start healing. Become someone who restores both themselves and the world around them to what God intended. When you fill the lives of others with goodness, that goodness returns to bless your life as well (James 3:18).

So stop pretending everything is fine. Look honestly at where you’re wearing a mask, and let God begin the work of healing.

Watch the full sermon here.