The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “hypocrite” as “1: a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion” or “2: a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings.” (1)
In the New King James Version of the Bible (NKJV), the word “hypocrite” appears 34 times, appearing 13 times in the Old Testament and 21 times in the New Testament. It appears most in the books of Matthew (15x), Job (8x), and Luke (4x). The Bible character who calls others “hypocrites” the most by far was Jesus Himself, who addressed the religious leaders of his day with such a term.
A common attitude today in contemporary society is, “I don’t go to church because it is full of hypocrites. I just can’t stand all the hypocrisy.” What is a hypocrite? What is hypocrisy? How can you identify a “hypocrite?” What do the Ancient Writings (or Bible) teach about the nature of hypocrisy?
In the following study, we shall look at the eight passages that use the word “hypocrite” that are found in the book of Job (New King James Version).
Hypocrite passage #1:
“So are the paths of all who forget God; and the hope of the hypocrite shall perish, 14
whose confidence shall be cut off, and whose trust is a spider’s web.”
--Job 8:12-14 NKJV
This is the first passage that uses the word “hypocrite” in the NKJV, and it says that “the hope of the hypocrite shall perish.” What is “the hope of the hypocrite?” What do “hypocrites” put their hope in? According to this passage, hypocrites have false hope. They hope for blessings, prosperity, success, close friendships, and other things with which God the Father would like to bless us. However, a hypocrite is not submitted to God’s leadership.
All God’s laws (such as the ten commandments) can be summed up into a single, simple principle: Treat others the way that you want to be treated.
“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
--Matthew 7:12 NASB1995
A hypocrite is selfish and does not treat others the way that s/he would like to be treated. Because a hypocrite lives for self rather than living to know their Creator, they can’t experience the fullness of God’s blessings [in some area(s) of their lives], for they don’t love God, trust God, or do what God tells them to do. Consequently, they often complain about why life is so hard and accuse God of not being fair (if He even exists) as they continue to look for love, acceptance, and satisfaction in the world, people, and things around them.
A hypocrite will slander others and gossip about others, sharing the “juicy gossip” or “dirt” about somebody else, but they will be enraged when somebody else inevitably treats them the same way. See Proverbs 26:20-28; Matthew 7:1-5; Galatians 6:7-8. This exposes their double-standard, and their cycle of bitterness, gossip, anger, and reverting to a bad habit in order to feel satisfaction and to numb their pain shall repeat itself all the way to their grave. Such a cycle will not be broken until or unless they become honest with themselves, humble themselves before God, receive His grace, and submit to His loving leadership over their lives.
Hypocrite passage #2:
“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him. 16 He also shall be my salvation, for a hypocrite could not come before Him. 17 Listen carefully to my speech, and to my declaration with your ears.”
--Job 13:15-17 NKJV
According to this passage, a hypocrite “could not come before [God]” (except for in humble repentance--an attitude that is honest and vulnerable with God that expresses a desire to change through the grace, power, and love that God desires to freely lavish on us). It is written that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. When a person comes to God with a proud attitude that refuses to make any change, then God cannot take any of that person’s prayers or requests seriously (see Proverbs 15:8; 28:9; Luke 18:9-14; Mark 11:22-26; James 1:5-8; 4:1-12).
Would a good judge be inclined to grant any mercy or leniency to a criminal who declares, “If I had the opportunity in the future, I would murder, molest, steal, or do the thing I did all over again. Don’t expect me to have to change, but please give me some slack; you have no idea of all the pain and trouble I’ve been through. Show some grace and compassion. Because you are a merciful, loving judge, please release me from this prison sentence. I ask and expect you to do the right thing; I know that you won’t let me down here.”?
Would a good, loving judge respond to arrogance with a more lenient sentence? Or would a just, loving, and good judge keep a criminal locked up until there was a change in attitude? Why would the judge release a criminal who shows no remorse and who is dead set on stealing, killing, and destroying if given the freedom or opportunity to do so?
Only if a convicted criminal is humble and demonstrates a change in character, tenderness, and a new love for humanity might that judge consider re-evaluating the length of his prison sentence.
Hypocrite passage #3:
He will shake off his unripe grape like a vine, and cast off his blossom like an olive tree. 34 For the company of hypocrites will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of bribery. 35 They conceive trouble and bring forth futility; their womb prepares deceit.”
--Job 15:33-35 NKJV
According to this passage, the company of hypocrites will be barren. How is this so? When it comes to gossipers or narcissists, they may be very social as they connect with others freely. However, despite a wide social circle where they may enjoy others’ company, the depth of the relationships can only go so far. Such relationships may be shallow and superficial when a person practices malicious gossip in order to foster a connection with those whom s/he desires to impress or to befriend.
Since “gossip betrays a confidence,” the trust in that relationship can only reach a certain depth before “hitting hard rock.” People will not feel comfortable sharing their hearts or struggles with somebody whom they perceive cannot keep a secret due to his/her propensity to blab about people’s “dirt” for the sake of social discourse.
A gossiper has a hypocritical double-standard, for s/he lives from an unspoken mindset that says “I can share the dirt about others, but don’t you ever treat me that same way by doing that to me.” S/he may feel isolated and alone internally despite her social connections, because the depth and intimacy of his/her relationships is lacking. Since people will only share the deep things of their hearts with those whom they feel they can safely trust, a habitual gossiper may not be invited into the treasured, sacred inner circle of many wise, mature, compassionate, and successful people.
Furthermore, an old saying says that “birds of a feather flock together.” In the same way, narcissists are drawn out to form connections with other narcissists, and people with a gossiping spirit are attracted to and have the uncanny ability to find each other as well. When “Gossiper B” inevitably shares “dirt” about “gossiper A,” the “gossiper A” may suffer barren company as others end up disassociating themselves or keeping their distance from “gossiper A.” Gossiper A may feel betrayed and angry, for somebody treated her the same way that she has treated others through malicious gossip (as the law of sowing and reaping took effect).
Hypocrite passage #4:
“My eye has also grown dim because of sorrow, and all my members are like shadows. 8 Upright men are astonished at this, and the innocent stirs himself up against the hypocrite. 9 Yet the righteous will hold to his way, and he who has clean hands will be stronger and stronger.”
--Job 17:7-9 NKJV
In Job 17, Job continues to wallow in self-pity and depression, for his spirit (or heart) has been broken. His broken spirit has dried up his bone marrow, resulting in sickness and poor health (see Proverbs 17:22). Grief and sorrow have caused his eye[sight] and/or vision for a hopeful future to grow dim.
In light of the laws of sowing and reaping, Job’s friends argued that Job must have done something wicked in order for such trauma and calamity to come upon Job. However, Job’s three friends had no answers for Job and falsely accused him, as their lofty speculations about Job’s sin and situation were wrong (see Job 32:1-3; 42:7-8).
According to this passage, the innocent stirs himself up against the hypocrite. This reminds me of Jesus, the only truly and perfectly innocent man to walk the earth, for Jesus was aroused against the hypocritical religious leaders of His day. Jesus called the Pharisees out and described to them specifically how they practiced hypocrisy in their dealings with people.
As appropriate, those who walk in close intimacy with God the Father will sometimes be aroused to confront hypocrites under the influence of the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of grace and the Spirit of truth. Those who are walking in innocence before God will speak the truth in love to those who are walking in deception.
Hypocrite passage #5:
“Do you not know this of old, since man was placed on earth, 5 that the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment? 6 Though his haughtiness mounts up to the heavens, and his head reaches to the clouds, 7 yet he will perish forever like his own refuse; those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’
--Job 20:4-7 NKJV
In this passage, Job’s friend Zophar observes that the joy and triumph of the wicked or of godless hypocrites is fleeting and momentary at best. Hebrews 11:25 notes that the pleasures of sin are fleeting, temporary, momentary, passing, or short-lived. Asaph, the psalmist of Psalm 73, observes how wicked people enjoyed prosperity and blessings. This psalmist confessed how he nearly stumbled into spiritual danger when he was envious of such people.
Envy rots the bones, and envy and bitterness (which work closely together) are likened to poisonous snakes (such as vipers, cobras, asps, and/or adders) throughout the Bible. For more information, see “Envy is Like a Viper.” Using the symbolism of snake venom, Job’s friend Zophar reminds Job that even if wicked people do enjoy a good, long, and prosperous life, that won’t be the case forever (see Job 20:12-29)
For even if things don’t eventually turn sour for them during this fleeting earthly life, then all their joy and peace will certainly end when they must answer to God for the way they lived and how they treated people. Soberingly, such people shall end up separated from God for their eternal “portion,” “heritage,” destiny, or future. For a man reaps what he sows, and the wages of sin is death (see Galatians 6:7-8; Romans 6:23).
Hypocrite passage #6:
“May my enemy be like the wicked, and he who rises up against me like the unrighteous.
8 For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he may gain much, if God takes away his life? 9 Will God hear his cry when trouble comes upon him?
--Job 27:7-9 NKJV
In this passage, as in the other Job passages where the word “hypocrite” is used in the NKJV, a hypocrite refers to a wicked or godless person who wants nothing to do with God. A hypocrite is bitter at God for not doing what s/he wanted God to do, the result of which can lead to depression. (2) Ironically, Job himself had fallen into hopelessness and depression as he accused God of taking away his justice, making his soul bitter, and for allowing (and/or not stopping) those horrible calamities that happened to him.
Job believed or felt that God was unfair or unjust to allow such evil to happen to a good person like himself (see Job 27:1-2). As Job held onto his own integrity, he claimed that despite what God allowed to happen to him, Job would still bless, serve, and worship God (see Job 13:15; 27:3-6). Job would not “curse God and die,” as his wife nagged him to do, but would continue to persevere through his painful circumstances until God gave him a fair trial, answers, and justice (see Job 2:9-10).
God honored Job’s patient endurance and gave Job the trial that he demanded, despite Job’s self-righteous attitude that justified his own innocence rather than God’s honor and innocence (see Job 32:1-3; James 5:11). In Job 27:8, Job acknowledges that hypocrites who want nothing to do with God (but instead do whatever they want apart from God) have false hope.
For even if people who don’t care about God get whatever they want during this momentary, fleeting, temporary lifespan on earth, they still have to give an account to God in the end when they die. Thus, any hope that a narcissist or “hypocrite” has is false, because living for themselves apart from God will lead to incredible disappointment when they face eternity (see Luke 16:19-31; Mark 8:34-38).
Hypocrite passage #7:
“When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble? And when He hides His face, who then can see Him, whether it is against a nation or a man alone?—30 that the hypocrite should not reign, lest the people be ensnared.”
--Job 34:29-30 NKJV
In this chapter, a man named Elihu defends God’s honor and justice, which Job had failed to do. Elihu rebukes and corrects Job in a spirit of meekness, yet is firm against the Pharisaical, self-righteous attitude that Job manifested. Just as Jesus rebuked the proud Pharisees, God Himself came to question Job after Elihu’s corrective discourse, such that Job could only put his hand over his mouth and to humble himself before God. Job could finally see that his attitude had more in common with Leviathan--the “king over all the sons of pride”--than with the humble and majestic nature of God (see Job 41-42).
Hypocrite passage #8:
But if they do not obey, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge. 13 “But the hypocrites in heart store up wrath; they do not cry for help when He binds them. 14 They die in youth, and their life ends among the perverted persons.
--Job 36:12-14 NKJV
What does Elihu teach about “hypocrites” in this passage? Hypocrites are too proud to cry out to God for help because of their arrogance, stubbornness, and hardness of heart. Rather than humbling themselves and acknowledging their need for God, they will remain bitter at God and continue to live for themselves rather than for their Creator who gives them life every day. Therefore they short-circuit God’s grace and His full-range of blessings in their lives because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Certainly God is still gracious and kind to narcissistic people because He loves them like a Father who longs for His kids to return to Him. However, how can God reward His rebellious kids any more than a good parent rewards their naughty children whenever they abuse other children, “give grown-ups the finger,” etc? Just as a decent parent will not incentivize toxic behavior in his/her children, so also must God not give us whatever we please whenever/if ever we are stubbornly self-absorbed, unkind, rude, narcissistic, arrogant, unloving, bitter, and hard-hearted.
According to Elihu, many narcissistic “hypocrites'' who are mad at God for not doing what they wanted Him to do end up dying young in the company of like-minded people who live for themselves in their prison of bitterness, rejection, and narcissism. Such narcissists are “hypocrites” because they expect to be treated with respect and kindness, yet they will slander others and dig up “dirt” on other people towards whom they feel offended or with whom they disagree. Gossipers and narcissists still carry unresolved hurt, pain, bitterness, unforgiveness, and resentment against others.
Conclusion:
“The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.”
--Proverbs 11:9 NKJV
According to this proverb, a gossiper or slanderer (someone who “with his mouth destroys his neighbor”) is a “hypocrite.” Just as a poisonous snake uses its mouth to kill another person, an envious gossiper or narcissistic slanderer will use their mouths in a similar fashion. Such people are actually “hypocrites,” because if somebody else were to treat them in the same way by saying negative things about them behind their back, they would feel hurt, betrayed, and angry. However, they feel justified to do that exact behavior towards other people. Such a double-standard can be called “hypocritical.”
However, the latter half of this proverb bears good news: “but through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.” We do not have to have a nature defined by envy, gossip, bitterness, narcissism, and hypocrisy. God offers a relationship with us, no matter how narcissistic, self-absorbed, or toxic we have been in the past. He desires to take away our old arrogant nature and to replace it with His Holy Spirit.
Like a tree that receives nourishment from the banks of a pure, flowing river, when we receive God’s love and learn to remain “rooted and grounded in love,” then our lives, thoughts, feelings, and actions will change. Our natures will become less toxic and will grow the following character qualities increasingly over time: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, humility, and self-control. See Galatians 5:16-23; Ephesians 3:16-19).
For more information on enjoying an honest, real, heart-to-heart relationship with God, see “Four Spiritual Laws about Prayer.”
I gleaned this insight from a brief comment in a sermon by T.D. Jakes.
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