Why is it important to avoid hypocrisy in our relationship with God? Setting the Scene—John 8:55 “ But you do not know Him, and I know Him. If I said I did not know Him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know Him and I keep His word.” Why Hypocrisy Matters to God • God values truth because He is truth (John 14:6). • Jesus exposes religious hypocrisy here to show that pretending to know God while refusing obedience is lying. • Hypocrisy turns worship into self-promotion rather than God-exaltation (Isaiah 29:13). What Hypocrisy Does to Our Walk • Blocks fellowship—“If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” (1 John 1:6) • Deadens conscience—repeated pretending trains the heart to ignore conviction (1 Timothy 4:2). • Neutralizes witness—“Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). The Contrast Jesus Models • He knows the Father. • He openly states the truth even when unpopular. • He “keeps His word,” demonstrating integrity between lips and life (John 8:55). Results of Genuine, Unmasked Faith 1. Clear intimacy—Psalm 51:6, “Surely You desire truth in the inmost being.” 2. Power in prayer—James 5:16 links righteous, honest living with effective prayer. 3. Lasting fruit—John 15:5, abiding (not pretending) produces fruit that remains. Practical Steps to Stay Free of Hypocrisy • Daily self-examination under Scripture’s light (Hebrews 4:12). • Quick confession and repentance instead of image-management (1 John 1:9). • Doing, not just hearing—“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22). • Seeking accountability with believers who will speak truth in love (Proverbs 27:17). Living Out John 8:55 Today When our knowledge of God matches obedience to His Word, we mirror Jesus’ integrity. Refusing hypocrisy keeps the relationship real, protects the heart, and magnifies the God we claim to know. |
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