Devotional: Religious Hypocrisy

Luke 12:1 “He began saying to His disciples first of all ‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy’” (Luke 12:1b, NASB). A friend of mine describes to me the instructors at the divinity school that she is attending. In our conversation she says that there are instructors who do not believe what they teach. On the other hand she has instructors that are authentic. I ask her, “what do you mean by authentic?” She replies, I mean instructors that believe what they teach and live what they teach. In his gospel, Luke records a conversation that Jesus has with the Pharisees (Luke 11:37-53). The Pharisees take notice that Jesus does not follow their rules for ceremonial cleansing. Jesus in turn explains the inconsistencies in their teaching. The exchange gets heated and Luke records that the Pharisees become hostile and begin plotting against Him trying to trap Him in something that He says. Jesus warns His disciples to be aware of the leaven (teaching) of the Pharisees. Their teaching is hypocrisy. They teach one thing, but how they live is not consistent with their teaching. Jesus assures us that the work of religious hypocrites will be revealed. ‘“But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known” (v. 2). Prayer: Our Father in heaven; to whom all hearts are opened; to whom all desires are known; no secret is hidden. We come asking that you will cleanse our hearts so that we will be pure in your sight. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.