I once read the following story concerning a woman that was tailgating…“A driver did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection. The tailgating woman behind him went ballistic, pounding on her horn and screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to drive through the intersection with him. Still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a cell.
After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects. He said, “I’m awfully sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping the guy off in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the ‘Choose Life’ license plate holder, the ‘What Would Jesus Do’ bumper sticker, the ‘Follow Me to Sunday School’ bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk. Naturally, I assumed you had stolen the car.””
This story clearly illustrates the statement that “one’s character is defined, not when someone is watching, but when no one is watching (or at least when we don’t think anyone is watching)”. Restated, this story illustrates the life lived as a “hypocrite”. The Scriptures provide further enunciation as to the definition of a “hypocrite“.
2 Timothy 3:5,
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
Titus 1:16,
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
Now, at this moment you might respond with statements such as, “This was just bad judgment on the part of the driver; this is not who this person really is; this person must have been in a hurry; if you get to know this person, you will see that this person was just having an off-day; so, why would you label this person as a ‘hypocrite’?” The issue here is this person plastered her car with statements pertaining to “who she says she is”, however, her actions did not bear out those “placards”. In fact, as was stated in the story, what the officer “observed” appeared to be the true character of this person. The term “hypocrite” is defined as “one who pretends to be what he is not; or he assumes an appearance of piety and virtue, when he is destitute of true virtue or religion.” In fact, it could be said that a “hypocrite” is one that invents or forms a fictitious conception that he is virtuous or religious [self-righteous] – though his actions and words are insincere and dishonest.
Each one of us now needs to consider whether or not God could judge us as being a “hypocrite” – as He observes our actions. Though our first reaction to this self-examination might be, “No, I am not a hypocrite!” – let it be understood that many a “hypocrite” has self-deluded himself into believing the opposite. Let us also consider for a moment what we say and do on Sunday when we are at church, versus what we say and do Monday thru Saturday. Are we living our lives as hypocrites? Have we made ourselves “self-righteous” because we have deluded ourselves into believing that we “walk our talk” – though there is no evidence? Our spouse and our children are usually the first to see our hypocrisy; though when confronted, we are quick to divert the accusations and attention elsewhere – often “shooting the messenger”. And then our co-workers, neighbors, and friends, or even a police officer, are next to see our hypocrisy; some even stating, “I thought you were a Christian; don’t you go to church on Sunday?” Again it must be asked, “Have you been living your life as a [hypocrite]?” If so, consider the “woes” stated by Jesus to the scribes and Pharisees throughout the Gospels; for, Christ is surely watching us everyday.
