In the biblical context, the term "hypocrite" is often used to describe individuals who outwardly display righteousness but are inwardly corrupt or insincere. The censorious hypocrite is a specific type of hypocrite who is quick to judge and criticize others while failing to recognize or address their own faults. This behavior is strongly condemned in Scripture, as it reflects a lack of genuine humility and self-awareness.

The most direct teaching on this subject comes from Jesus Christ Himself. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns against the dangers of hypocrisy and judgmentalism. In Matthew 7:1-5 , He states: "Do not judge, or you will be judged. For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while there is still a beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."

This passage highlights the tendency of the censorious hypocrite to focus on the minor faults of others while ignoring their own significant shortcomings. Jesus emphasizes the importance of self-examination and repentance before attempting to correct others. The imagery of the "beam" and the "speck" serves as a powerful reminder of the disproportionate nature of such judgment.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of hypocrisy and judgment in his epistle to the Romans. In Romans 2:1-3 , he writes: "You therefore have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. And we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, O man, pass judgment on others yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?"

Paul's words serve as a sobering reminder that God's judgment is based on truth and that those who judge others while committing the same sins are without excuse. The censorious hypocrite, therefore, stands condemned by their own actions and attitudes.

The Old Testament also provides insight into the nature of hypocrisy and judgment. In Isaiah 29:13 , the Lord says: "These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me, and their worship of Me is but rules taught by men." This verse underscores the disconnect between outward religious observance and inward devotion, a hallmark of hypocritical behavior.

The censorious hypocrite is often characterized by a lack of genuine love and compassion, which are central to the Christian faith. In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 , Paul emphasizes the supremacy of love over all other virtues: "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing."

The censorious hypocrite, by focusing on judgment rather than love, fails to embody the essence of the Christian message. The Bible calls believers to a higher standard, one that prioritizes love, humility, and self-reflection over judgment and criticism.Matthew 7:3-5
And why behold you the mote that is in your brother's eye, but consider not the beam that is in your own eye?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 13:14,15
And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said to the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Social Test of Religion
... Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ... The elder brother of the
prodigal pictures this loveless and censorious religion. ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter ix the social test.htm

The Second Part.
... may deceive the unwarie; Let Ely take heede of judging Hanna's Spirit rashly by
the mooving of her lips: yet hypocrites so usually ... [Sidenote: 5 Censorious.]. ...
/.../ward/a coal from the altar to kindle the holy fire of zeale/the second part.htm

False Professors Solemnly Warned
... driven from a solemn consideration of the truth by the harsh and censorious remarks
of ... It is when Satan makes hypocrites that he brings the great battering ram ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/false professors solemnly warned.htm

The Great Schism
... as individuals, were often headstrong, officious, intermeddling, and censorious. ...
hirelings, caterpillars, letter-learned Pharisees, Hypocrites, Varlets, Seed ...
/.../chapter x the great schism.htm

For they Loved the Praise of Men More than the Praise of God. John ...
... and to make Christians see that they live so low, so worldly, so much like hypocrites,
that it ... O," they say, "what a bad spirit he shows, so censorious, and so ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/for they loved the praise.htm

We Shall not be Curious in the Ranking of the Duties in which ...
... hypocrisy), importing, that great censurers are often the greatest hypocrites, and
sincerity ... A censorious humour is certainly most partial to itself, and self ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/chapter iv we shall not.htm

Charity and Rebuke.
... And again, when He goes to the hypocrites and Pharisees, He says, "Ye say ye are ...
at the very idea; and he calls people hard and legal and censorious who dare ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter iv charity and rebuke.htm

Nothing but Leaves
... If there is a special thunderbolt anywhere, it is these unctions hypocrites who
whine about love to Christ ... Others you meet with who have a censorious tongue. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/nothing but leaves.htm

Jesus About his Father's Business
... Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ... I would not be censorious, but solemnly
and seriously, I fear there are not very many whose whole heart is set ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/jesus about his fathers business.htm

Instability
... My brother, I would be far from dealing in a censorious manner with ... never behindhand
in religious performances; they are the most devout hypocrites, they are ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/instability.htm

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