Hypocrisy
[Psalm 50]
In the book The Integrity: Advantage & Works by Adrianne Gostic & Dana Telford, they list 10 characteristics of a faithful person. The third characteristic is: “When a mistake is made, it is honestly acknowledged.” On this, the authors make a significant statement: “A mistake is not a great wrong. The real wrong is the action of trying to cover up the mistake” (Internet). However, our instinct is to cover up our mistakes. In other words, hiding our sins is part of our sinful nature. This is why the term "hypocrisy" exists. What does hypocrisy mean? The Hebrew meaning is “one who hides themselves” or “a pretender.” In the New Testament, the word originally referred to actors who wore masks on stage and performed, and later came to mean a "hypocrite," someone pretending to be something they are not. This word is especially used to describe religious individuals who appear outwardly devout but lack true godliness within. Hypocrisy is the behavior of looking like a devout Christian on the outside while being full of lies and deceit on the inside. A perfect example of this kind of hypocrisy in Jesus’ time were the Pharisees.
When I think about hypocrisy, I am reminded of the sin of David, which I reflected on during this morning's prayer meeting. David, who tried to cover up his sin by sending Uriah to Bathsheba, whom he had impregnated. But when faithful Uriah refused to go home, David conspired with Joab to have Uriah killed by the sword of the enemy. And all of this sin was covered up by David. But God sent the prophet Nathan to expose David’s sin. And God said to David: "You did it in secret, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun" (2 Samuel 12:12). We may commit our sins in secret, but the holy God is the one who exposes our sins before all people.
In today’s Bible reading, Psalm 50:5, God says, “Gather to me this consecrated people, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” Here, the psalmist Asaph teaches us that those who are called the “saints” are those who have made a covenant with God through sacrifices. If we apply this to ourselves, we can say that Christians, who have entered into a new covenant with God through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, are God’s saints. Why does God ask His saints to be gathered before Him? It is because of the hypocrisy of His saints, the people of Israel (Park Yun-Seon). What does God want to say to hypocritical saints who are gathered before Him? Let us reflect on three things and take this as an opportunity to hear God’s rebuke and repent.
First, God says that He will judge our hypocrisy (Psalm 50:1-6).
Psalm 50:6
"Let the heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is judge. (Selah)" The psalmist Asaph states that God, as the judge, will publicly proclaim His righteousness and will judge the hypocritical Israelites. Asaph powerfully points out the seriousness of the sin of the hypocritical Israelites in the following way:
(1) He tells the whole world to witness the judgment upon the hypocritical Israelites (v. 1).
Although the hypocritical Israelites secretly sin, God will expose their sin publicly, calling all people to witness and see their wrongdoing. This is a terrifying proclamation of judgment. This message also applies to us today. As children of light, if we do not expose (rebuke) the works of darkness but instead participate in them, the holy God will expose our sins before everyone (Ephesians 5:11).
(2) In judging the hypocritical Israelites, God will do so with His revealed word, and it will be terrifying like fire or a mighty storm (vv. 2-3).
This means that God will judge according to the truth (light) established by the true Church, which is the light. Jesus also stated that His words will ultimately judge (John 12:48). As Psalm 119:130 says, "The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." When we continue to sin in secret, we become foolish. Our hearts become hardened, and we no longer recognize sin as sin. To such foolish individuals, God sends His word to shine into our hearts, helping us realize our sins.
(3) God will first judge the hypocritical saints (v. 4).
Dr. Park Yun-Seon stated, "The Church of God, having received a special blessing, bears a heavy responsibility. Therefore, judgment begins first in the house of God (1 Peter 4:17)."
Second, God warns against our formalism in worship (Psalm 50:7-15).
Look at Psalm 50:7: "Hear, O My people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify against you: I am God, your God." Here, God is warning the hypocritical Israelites, saying He will "testify" against them. This testimony is a warning against their hypocrisy and formalism. At that time, the Jews thought they could satisfy God by merely bringing offerings to the temple (Park Yun-Seon). Rather than worshiping God in spirit and truth, they were more concerned with external rituals. To the Israelites, who were focused only on outward ceremonies, Asaph, the psalmist, gives three lessons on how to worship God properly
(1) It says that we should offer sacrifices (worship) to God with thanksgiving (v. 14).
Why should we offer sacrifices (worship) to God with thanksgiving? The reason is that this is what truly glorifies God (v. 23). And the one who offers sacrifices with thanksgiving not only speaks it with their lips, but also lives a life of gratitude. They do not merely worship God with thankfulness, but live a life of worship.
(2) It says that we should fulfill our vows to God (v. 14b).
One of the characteristics of a faithful person is that they always keep their promises. But how many truly faithful people do we have around us today who keep their promises? We live in a world where it is difficult to find people we can truly trust. This leads one to think, "If a person cannot keep promises with others, how can they keep the promises they made with God?" Dr. Park Yun-Seon said: "Keeping promises before God can also be seen as an act that prevents God's grace from being interrupted." Therefore, the one who truly worships God must fulfill the vows made to God to ensure that His grace is not interrupted.
(3) It says that we should call upon God in the day of trouble (v. 15).
God requires us to express our faith through prayer, which is a form of communication with Him, rather than merely offering formal sacrifices.
Finally, third, God points out our hypocrisy and sins (Psalm 50:16-22).
What was the sin of the hypocritical Israelites? In short, their piety was only in words, and they did not obey God's commandments (Park Yun-Seon). Let us look at Psalm 50:16: "But to the wicked, God says: 'Why do you recite my laws and take my covenant on your lips?'" This rebukes the hypocritical Israelites for only professing the religion of God with their words, but not living it out (Park Yun-Seon). Now, let’s look at Psalm 50:17: "You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you." What does this mean? The hypocritical Israelites hated God's instructions and threw His words behind them. Isn't this our hypocrisy and sin? On Sundays, when we hear God's word and enter the sanctuary, do we not cast those words behind us and go out into the world, sinning again before God? Why do we set God's word aside, disrespect it, and live in such a way? Calvin points out the cause of this: "The mark of hypocritical religion is the lack of reverence for God's word." A lack of reverence for God causes us to hate His word and cast it behind us.
In the passage today, what was it that the people of Israel, who did not fear God and were hypocritical, failed to keep from God’s commandments?
(1) The people of Israel violated the 7th and 8th commandments of the Ten Commandments.
Look at verse 18 of today's passage: "When you see a thief, you join with him and associate with adulterers." Here, "when you see a thief, you join with him" refers to breaking the 8th commandment, "You shall not steal," and "associate with adulterers" refers to breaking the 7th commandment, "You shall not commit adultery."
(2) They violated the 9th commandment of the Ten Commandments.
Look at verse 19: "You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit." This is a violation of the 9th commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."
(3) They sinned by not loving their brothers.
Look at verse 20: "You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son." This is a sin against the 6th commandment, "You shall not murder," because "everyone who hates his brother is a murderer" (1 John 3:15).
God warned the hypocritical people of Israel to repent, but they mistakenly thought that God was indifferent to their sins, assuming that He would not judge them for their actions (Psalm 50:21). In other words, they believed that God would not judge their sins. Therefore, the hypocritical people of Israel continued to sin. Since God was silent while they kept sinning, they thought that God was like them. This indifference to sin… However, God rebuked the people of Israel and stated that He would judge and punish their sins one by one. And in verse 22 of today's passage, Psalm 50, God warns them: "Consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver you." The people of Israel, who had despised God's word and continued to sin, had not only forgotten His word but had also forgotten God Himself. Therefore, God urged them to "consider this." He was telling them to think about the fact that He would point out their sins, warn them about their hypocrisy, and bring judgment upon them. If they did not do so, God's wrath and discipline would follow, and no one would be able to save them.
Does the word from Psalm 50, which God spoke to the hypocritical Israelites, not apply to us today? God is gathering us before Him today and giving us the same message. God warns us about our hypocrisy and is pointing out our sins one by one. He is proclaiming that He will judge our hypocrisy. We must listen to this word from God and repent of our sins of hypocrisy. We must worship God with thanksgiving. We need to fulfill our vows and live a life of obedience to His commandments. We must live not only a true life of worship but also a life that embodies worship.
With a sincere heart, desiring to be raised as true worshipers before God and not hypocrites,
Pastor James
(Warning against formalism)