By Nick Bibile
Today we consider one of the most subtle and dangerous expressions of human depravity: religious hypocrisy. There are times when the fallen man and the regenerated Christian appear outwardly identical. Both attend church, speak reverently of God, pray, sing, and use biblical language. Yet Scripture is clear—only God knows the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). He alone exposes hypocrisy and the deep deceitfulness of fallen man’s heart.
Jeremiah reminds us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jer. 17:9). In our previous sermon, we saw that the natural man is like a serpent full of venom, yet drawn to the warmth of Christian fellowship. He enjoys the benefits of religion while remaining hostile to God. Religious hypocrisy, therefore, is not a small sin—it is something God expressly hates.
Thomas Watson (Puritan): “Hypocrisy is to seem to be what we are not, or not to be what we are. A hypocrite makes religion a mask, not a mirror.”
We are not speaking here of obvious cults or false religions, which are easily distinguished. We are speaking of those who sit in the church, call themselves Christians, and yet remain unregenerate.
The natural man often shows a form of respect toward God. Many in the church see this and conclude that such a person cannot be an enemy of God. Consider his outward actions:
He attends Lord’s Day services faithfully.
He prays publicly, using lofty language: “Almighty God, infinitely holy, glorious Lord.”
He may even pray in private and take pains to appear devout.
His voice, posture, and gestures appear reverent.
Outwardly, he looks no different from a true Christian. Yet all of this can be pure hypocrisy.
You may object: How can you say this? The answer is simple—there is external honor without inward love. There is reverence of the lips, but contempt in the heart.
Jonathan Edwards: “You cover your enmity against God with a painted veil.”
There is outward submission, but inward resistance.
Psalm 66:3 says:
“Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.”
The Hebrew word translated “submit” is kachash, meaning to yield feigned obedience—literally, to lie. The King James margin notes: “yield feigned obedience.”
John Calvin: “Through the greatness of God’s power, His enemies feign submission to Him. The power of God is such as to force them into a reluctant subjection.”
The Geneva Bible Commentary adds:
“As the faithful obey God willingly, so the infidels disguise themselves as obedient out of fear.”
Matthew Henry likewise explains that this is not true obedience, but forced and hypocritical submission.
Imagine driving 85 miles per hour in a 65 mph zone. Suddenly, you see a police car behind you. Instantly, you slow down. Why? Fear. Respect for authority—but only while it is present. As soon as the police exit, you resume speeding.
This is reluctant obedience, not heartfelt submission.
So it is with the fallen man. In God’s presence—during worship, prayer, or church gatherings—he adopts a tone of humility and reverence. But it is only a show. When the sense of God’s presence fades, so does his obedience.
Stephen Charnock (Puritan): “A hypocrite fears God’s power, but hates His purity.”
Consider Israel after the Exodus. They witnessed fearful miracles:
The Red Sea divided.
Pharaoh’s army drowned.
Mount Sinai shaking under God’s glory.
A pillar of cloud by day and fire by night.
Water from the rock.
Bread from heaven.
Yet when left alone in the wilderness, they quickly rebelled. Their fear of God was real—but not sincere. It was temporary, driven by awe, not love.
John Owen: “A man may fear God’s greatness and yet have no love to His goodness.”
Luke 8:27–28 records the demon-possessed man who fell before Jesus, crying:
“What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.”
The demons feared Christ—but they did not love Him. Their submission was compelled, not voluntary.
James 2:19: “The devils also believe, and tremble.”
So too with the fallen man. His fear of God does not equal reconciliation with God.
On Sunday, the fallen man becomes religious:
He sings loudly.
He listens attentively.
He speaks respectfully to fellow believers.
When the service ends, he believes his duty is done. He breaks the Lord’s Day without remorse, indulges the flesh, and lives no differently from the world. Later, he returns to ritual Bible reading and prayer—not from love, but fear.
Richard Baxter: “To pray and not to live godly is but to mock God to His face.”
Children are taught early to show respect in worship, yet they too can learn hypocrisy. Adults must not excuse this as harmless. Children who hear sound doctrine are accountable to God.
Psalm 78:5–7 teaches that truth must be passed down faithfully so that future generations might set their hope in God.
Cotton Mather: “If children be not trained up for God, they will be trained up for the devil.”
Many honored Christ for selfish reasons. The Jews called Him Rabbi because they wanted bread and a political king.
The fallen man often weeps before God—not from hatred of sin, but love of self.
Jonathan Edwards: “There is commonly abundance of pride in the midst of tears.”
Zechariah 7:5–6 exposes this false devotion—fasting and mourning done for themselves, not for God.
John Calvin (paraphrased): “They believed God was satisfied with ceremonies, while their hearts sought only self-approval.”
Joshua was deceived by the Gibeonites because he judged by appearances and did not seek counsel from the Lord (Josh. 9:14). True believers must pray for discernment.
Saul’s tears before David (1 Sam. 24) appeared genuine, yet they quickly vanished. His repentance was emotional, not spiritual.
Thomas Brooks: “A hypocrite may have the shame of sin, but not the hatred of sin.”
The fall of man has left the human heart deceitful, proud, and capable of religious imitation without spiritual life. Hypocrisy is not merely weakness—it is enmity disguised as devotion.
John Owen: “Unmortified sin will have the dominion, though it may for a season be quiet.”
May God use His Word to expose false religion, awaken the fallen, and grant us sincere, humble, and obedient hearts in Christ Jesus.