Religious Hypocrisy

They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” — John 8:19

There is this constant tension in the Gospel of John. It's between Jesus and Jewish authorities. And the problem is that the religious authorities are thinking and speaking on one level, while Jesus is thinking and speaking on another. And because the religious leaders had made up their minds, they would never honestly assess who Jesus was and what he was trying to tell them.

But why is this? Why are they not open to at least hearing from Jesus?

And the answer to this is found back a couple of chapters. In John 5:37-38, Jesus told us why. He said:

And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. — John 5:37-38

That's the sad part of this situation. These religious officials are reading and legislating the scripture but do not have the scriptures abiding in them. They steward the Scripture, but they don't follow the Scriptures.

And this describes so many followers today.

We read it but don't reside in it. We hear it but don't heed it. We listen to it but don't live by it. We read it, hear it, and listen to it just enough to justify our positions, use these positions against others, and therefore put on a good show. But under it all, we are a hoax and a hypocrite because the Word does not live within us where it was intended to live. Hebrews 4:12 states:

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. — Hebrews 4:12

The words of Jesus at this moment should have convicted these religious leaders. “You know neither me nor my Father." But they didn't. And they read, heard, and listened to the Scripture, but it no longer pierced their stubborn and calloused hearts.

Pray that your heart, thoughts, and intentions will forever be sensitive to the razor-sharp truth in God's Word.

ASK THIS: Is your heart sensitive to the truth?

DO THIS: Bring any callousness to God and let his Word give you direction.

PRAY THIS: God, I believe your Word. I will let it direct every action in all parts of my life.

PLAY THIS: Hunger.

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7 thoughts on “Religious Hypocrisy

  1. Rich T says:

    Good word Vince. The heart can’t love what the head does not know but the head doesn’t want to know what the heart doesn’t love.

  2. Tom Fredericks Sr. says:

    Great insight Pastor Vince! Thank you! We must heed the words from James, “Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says! (1:22) And the words of David from Psalm 119, “I hastened and did not delay to keep your commands!” (60). “There is NO sustaining transformation without application”!
    Pastor Lonnie Berger

  3. Brian says:

    Wow, what timing. I am in a rough spot because of my own doing. I am that hypocrite. That fits me to a T. I am stuck and want to do right but keep doing wrong. How, how do I get this is my heart?
    Thanks Vince for the great devos. I am learning a lot.

  4. Marko says:

    Thank you Vince. The Lord showed me my callousness to my brother in law Joey. I pray He shows me how to love, support, and expect the best from Joey to help him as he starts a new job that Joey will break the chain and stick it out this time. In Jesus’s Holy Name!

  5. Mike B says:

    Good morning Vince. Thank you for this perfect reminder from Gods word. You explained these passages very clearly today. With the passing of Dr. Charles Stanley, we all must take on this subject and push forward; always telling the truth and setting the correct example. Keeping our conscious clear. You explained this conversation Jesus had perfectly and I just wanted to say thank you. Stay well. Keep the faith.

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