Matthew 6:1-18, SINCERITY vs. Hypocrisy (1)

1)    Definition: eagerness to do what is right with transparent motives.

2)    Scripture: Matt. 7:5; 15:1-9; Rom. 12:9; 1 Cor. 5:8; 2 Cor. 6:6; 1 Tim. 1:5; 5:22; Titus 2:5; Prov. 2:16; 6:12-13; 7:13-21; 10:6,10; 11:3; 16:30 plus all those in the Bible Study below.

3)    Underlying Principle: We must seek to act with unquestionable motives (be sincere) because God weights the motives of man and judges them accordingly (Prov. 21:2; 16:2; Ac. 1:24; 15:8; Rom. 8:27; 1 Cor. 4:5; Rev. 2:23).

a)    Let’s take a moment to speak on these passages.  Every way of man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts.  Again, You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all.  God, who knows the heart.  God is He who searches the hearts.  He will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. 

b)    We understand that brothers and sisters in Christ need to be willing to carry out a ministry of rebuke and reproof with sinning family members.  But that ministry is insufficient to stop hypocrisy.  As the LORD told Samuel, in the anointing of David, man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart.  The key to sincerity is not fear of what man can do but fear of God.

c)    It’s not just that we cannot see the heart of another person; it is also that people are great liars.  We can make ourselves look quite religious or holy.  We know that eventually the heart will be seen for what it is.  Jesus spoke to this issue often, as will be seen in our Bible Study section.

4)    Illustration: 2 Samuel 24:18-25.  David showed his sincere heart in that he would not sacrifice with that which cost him nothing. 

5)    Bible Study:

a)    A hypocrite seeks to conceal what is in his heart by putting up an outward front.  In the following passages what heart -condition is being concealed and by what outward front?

i)      Prov. 10:18: A person might hide their hatred with lying (flattering) lips.

ii)   Prov. 21:27: The wicked cover their wickedness with religious ritual.  In this case, the sacrifice is a good thing, but not while allowing sin in the heart without confession and repentance.

iii)            Prov. 24:11-12: We may excuse a “sin of omission” (something we should have done but didn’t) by saying “I didn’t know.”  Others will excuse us but God will not.

iv) Prov. 27:5-6; 28:23: Hatred, dishonesty and failure to lovingly rebuke a friend can all be covered over by “flattery.” 

v)    Prov. 30:12: An inflated “self-esteem” covers over a wicked person.  We live in that generation.