The Net of Hypocrisy

Gospel: Luke 12: 1-7

Hypocrisy is a fairly common malady, one we readily find in others, but somehow never manage to discover in ourselves.  It is a sin that Jesus repeatedly warns his followers to avoid as it is so very difficult to extricate oneself from.  Hypocrisy is also a sin that causes great scandal to others, leading to a general decline in social morality.  This sin contains so much empirical evidence that it requires little in the way of introduction or evidentiary citations.

We can avoid the sin of hypocrisy by preaching little and doing much.  We have our own many sins for which we must atone and repent, so we begin there.  Once we rise from the regenerative waters of reconciliation we then follow the Lord and imitate his work by extending mercy to others - healing those who are sick, liberating those in the grip of demons, nourishing people at table fellowship.  We perform all these deeds without saying a word.  

If our times have taught us nothing it is that hypocrisy cannot be cured by calling it out.  It is a demon deeply attached to our pride.  Our only recourse is to simply follow the advice of the prophet Micah: to act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.  This was the way of the Lord Jesus.  It must be our way as his disciples, as those who wish to avoid the deadly net of hypocrisy ourselves, as those who hope to lead others out of the snare.