Would You Agree With This Definition?

  The word "hypocrisy" appears only twenty-eight times in the New Testament in one or other of its forms. It is found some additional times in the Old Testament where sharp condemnations of it are characteristic. Of the twenty-eight times in the New Testament, twenty-three times is was used by the Lord or in direct connection with His conversation.

  Hypocrisy is dishonesty; integrity replaced by deceit. It is akin to lying because is living a lie. One way of expressing it is that it is something counterfeit, a false front, not being as it appears.

  A definition I have found useful is this: To pretend to be what you really do not intend to be. Does this describe it? Whatever definition we conclude, the Lord is truly displeased with hypocrisy. Read Mt. 23.