Luke 12 (7)

Pray Psalm 52.1, 2.
Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man?
The goodness of God endures continually.
Your tongue devises destruction,
Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

Sing Psalm 52.1, 2.
(Warrington: Give to Our God Immortal Praise)
Why do the mighty boast in sin? God’s love endures, it knows no end!
They with their tongues vain boasts repeat, and like a razor, work deceit.

Read Luke 12.1-59; meditate on verses 1, 56.

Preparation
1. What did Jesus denounce in this chapter?

2. How would you explain what hypocrisy is?

Meditation
Luke 12 is bookended by Jesus denouncing hypocrisy (vv. 1, 56). Hypocrisy, according to the Oxford Dictionary of English, is “the practice of claiming to have higher standards or more noble beliefs than is the case.” Jesus warned against allowing the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of His day to woo the disciples and the multitudes from the truth of the Gospel. He also denounced the hypocrisy of the people who followed Him out of selfish motives, seeking only what they could get from Him.

If we fear God, we will be less likely to fall into hypocrisy (vv. 4-7). Confessing Christ before men, rather than shrinking back in fear, is also a powerful antidote to hypocrisy (vv. 8-12). The fool who trusts in material blessings for peace and happiness may also be guilty of hypocrisy. The way to avoid this is to lay up our true treasures in heaven, where Christ rules and is advancing His Kingdom (vv. 13-21). There is even a measure of hypocrisy in those who believe in Christ but fret and worry about mundane things (vv. 22-34). How sincere is our trust in the Lord? The unfaithful servant who uses his role to take advantage of others is also guilty of hypocrisy (vv. 35-48).

It’s not hard to see why Jesus hates hypocrisy so much. It erodes true faith, misleads others, distracts from the glory of God, and makes a mockery of true religion. We must hate hypocrisy as well, beginning with whatever of it appears in our own lives.

The hypocrites Jesus warned against claimed to believe in God and to be His servants, yet they opposed and ultimately murdered Jesus, the true Servant of the Lord. The hypocrite is concerned above all about how he appears to others. He desires the esteem, deference, and plaudits of men, and thus robs God of His glory. God does not tolerate hypocrisy; neither should we.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain” (Ex. 20.7).

Jesus lived and taught the Law. Always. What better way to explain this commandment than by conflating it with hypocrisy? We are fake Christians, damaging others, if we spurn the Law and refuse to live by it.

How many people throughout history have been disgusted with Christianity because of hypocritical Christians they have known or heard about? Millions have turned away from Christ because of people who say one thing and do another— “claiming to have higher standards or more noble beliefs than is the case.” Hypocrites. Bad bearers of Christ’s name.

Alexander the Great heard of a soldier of his who was not behaving courageously. To make matters worse, the soldier’s name was Alexander. When this young man was brought before his leader to be judged, Alexander said to him, “Either change your name, or change your behavior.” Now this story may or may not be true, but it bears a striking resemblance to what Jesus was saying to His followers, which was most definitely true.

We bear the name of Christ. It was in Antioch that “the disciples were first called Christians” (Acts 11.26). We carry the same title. And the same responsibility to live up to that name.

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches…” (Prov. 22.1).
“You shall be called by a new name…” (Is. 62.2).

“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but to Your name give glory,
because of Your mercy, because of Your truth.
Why should the Gentiles say,
‘So where is their God?’” (Ps. 115.1, 2).

Should we ever give anyone a reason to question the importance of God in our lives, or His evident power and control over our behavior? “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col. 3.16, 17).

Stay in the Word of God. Study it, meditate on it, and learn its wisdom, because “the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality
and without hypocrisy” (Jms. 3.17).

Behaving in the name of Christ with high standards and noble beliefs.

For reflection
1. Why was Jesus so hard on hypocrisy and hypocrites?

2. What would be an example of Christian hypocrisy today?

3. How can we avoid falling into the hypocrisy trap?

Hypocrisy is hateful to God and humanity. It does not bring a reward, and it is utterly useless for the salvation of the soul. It is rather the cause of its damnation. Although sometimes it may escape detection for a little while, before long, it is sure to be uncovered and bring disgrace on them. Cyril of Alexandria (375-444), Commentary on Luke, Homily 86

Pray Psalm 52.3-9.
What can you do to make sure you do not fall into hypocrisy – into saying you’re a Christian but living like people in the world? Ask God to protect you against hypocrisy and to keep you to Himself throughout this day and to enable you to bear fruit for Him.

Sing Psalm 52.3-9.
(Warrington: Give to Our God Immortal Praise)
Men more than good in evil delight, and lies prefer to what is right.
They utter words, both harsh and strong, with their devouring, deceitful tongue.

God will forever break them down, uproot, and cast them to the ground!
He from their safety tears them away, no more to know the light of day.

The righteous see and laugh and fear, and say, “Behold, what have we here?
Such are all who at God conspire, and wealth and evil ways desire.”

But as for me may I be seen in God an olive ever green!
Ever in God, most kind and just, shall I with joy and gladness trust!

Thanks evermore to our Savior be raised! His faithfulness be ever praised!
Here with Your people, loving God, I wait upon Your Name, so good!

T. M. and Susie Moore 

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (Williston: Waxed Tablet Publications, 2006), available by clicking here.