Great win! The word for this week is 'hypocrite(s)'. Jesus used this word when he spoke to the religious leaders of His day who should have known and spoken the Truth, but they did not! We'll be looking at these verses:
Matthew 6:2 Thus, whenever you give to the poor, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites in the synagogues and in the streets like to do, that they may be recognized and honored and praised by men. Truly I tell you, they have their reward in full already. AMP
Matthew 6:5 Also when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward in full already. AMP
Matthew 6:16 And whenever you are fasting, do not look gloomy and sour and dreary like the hypocrites, for they put on a dismal countenance, that their fasting may be apparent to and seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full already. [Isa 58:5.] 17 But when you fast, perfume your head and wash your face, 18 So that your fasting may not be noticed by men but by your Father, Who sees in secret; and your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you in the open. AMP
Matthew 15:6-8 So for the sake of your tradition (the rules handed down by your forefathers), you have set aside the Word of God [depriving it of force and authority and making it of no effect]. 7 You pretenders (hypocrites)! Admirably and truly did Isaiah prophesy of you when he said: 8 These people draw near Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts hold off and are far away from Me. AMP
Matthew 23:13 But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces; for you neither enter yourselves, nor do you allow those who are about to go in to do so. AMP
Mark 7:6 But He said to them, Excellently and truly [so that there will be no room for blame] did Isaiah prophesy of you, the pretenders and hypocrites, as it stands written: These people [constantly] honor Me with their lips, but their hearts hold off and are far distant from Me. AMP
These are all the Greek word "hupokrites". Strong's Concordance says: an actor under an assumed character (stage player), a dissembler. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: one who answers, an interpreter. An actor, stage-player. In Vine's Expository Dictionary we see this: primarily denotes one who answers. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says: the term conveys the sense of evildoer or apostate. The sayings of the false teachers are deceitful, for they contradict the Truth of God!
There will always be those who are NOT sincere and who pretend to be something that they are not. Their hypocrisy does not change the Truth! God's Word is TRUTH (John 17:17)! The Spirit of God within gives us the ability to discern the difference. There is such a difference in the lives of those who are taught, and believe, God’s Word! It is such a blessing to know that you and Kristine, and now your beautiful daughters, treasure and trust the Word of God! There IS no higher authority! Here is Hillsong with "Forever Reign":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
