What does "inside you are full of greed and wickedness" reveal about hypocrisy?

The Moment Jesus Spoke

“Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.” (Luke 11:39)

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Hypocrisy Unveiled: What Jesus Highlights

• A spotless exterior can hide a polluted heart.

• Greed and wickedness are not minor blemishes; they are soul-level stains.

• God’s evaluation begins with the unseen, not the seen (1 Samuel 16:7).

• Religious activity divorced from inner purity is offensive to the Lord (Isaiah 1:13-15).

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Greed and Wickedness—Twin Indicators of a False Front

• Greed: A relentless appetite for more, often cloaked in “blessing” language (Colossians 3:5).

• Wickedness: A heart disposition bent toward self, not God; it pollutes every outward deed (Matthew 15:19).

Together they reveal hypocrisy—pretending to honor God while serving self.

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Why Outer Cleanliness Feels Safer

• Social approval rewards visible piety (Matthew 6:1-2).

• Inner surrender demands repentance and humility (Psalm 51:17).

• It’s easier to polish behavior than crucify desires (Galatians 5:24).

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Jesus’ Remedy for Hypocrisy

1. Start with the heart: “First clean the inside… then the outside will also be clean” (Matthew 23:26).

2. Cultivate generosity: The opposite of greed is open-handed giving (Luke 12:33).

3. Walk in the light: Confession brings hidden sin into healing light (1 John 1:7-9).

4. Abide daily: Close fellowship with Christ keeps motives pure (John 15:4-5).

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Living the Lesson Today

• Measure authenticity by private obedience, not public impression.

• Examine motives before actions; ask, “Would I do this if no one knew?”

• Replace self-seeking with Spirit-led service (Philippians 2:3-4).

• Keep short accounts with God; quick repentance prevents hypocrisy from taking root.

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Closing Reflection

The line “inside you are full of greed and wickedness” strips away every façade. Jesus invites us to trade hollow performance for genuine holiness—a heart fully His, producing a life that rings true inside and out.