In essence, “hypocrisy” refers to the act of claiming to believe something but acting in a different manner. The word is derived from the Greek term for “actor”—literally, “one who wears a mask”—in other words, someone who pretends to be what he is not.The Bible calls hypocrisy a sin.
And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. | Luke 16:15
And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. | Matthew 6:5
And if one asks him, ‘What are these wounds on your back?’ he will say, ‘The wounds I received in the house of my friends.’ | Zechariah 13:6
And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. | Matthew 6:16
And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men. | Isaiah 29:13
Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. | Matthew 6:1
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. | Matthew 7:15
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. | James 3:17
But to the wicked God says: “What right have you to recite my statutes or take my covenant on your lips? | Psalm 50:16
But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? | Matthew 22:18
Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips. | Proverbs 24:28
Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? | Romans 2:3
For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. | Galatians 6:3
For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. | Romans 16:18
Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. | Matthew 9:13
His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. | Psalm 55:21
Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. | 2 Timothy 3:5
If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. | 1 John 1:10
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. | Colossians 3:1
If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. | 1 John 1:6
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. | 1 Peter 2:16
Let everyone beware of his neighbor, and put no trust in any brother, for every brother is a deceiver, and every neighbor goes about as a slanderer. | Jeremiah 9:4
No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes. | Psalm 101:7
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. | Matthew 6:24
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. | 1 Peter 2:1
So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves. | Matthew 27:24
These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage. | Jude 1:16
Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? | Luke 6:46
While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. | 2 Timothy 3:13
You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue. | Psalm 52:4
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! | James 2:19
You plant them, and they take root; they grow and produce fruit; you are near in their mouth and far from their heart. | Jeremiah 12:2
We should never imply an acceptance of sin, especially in our own lives. All we do should be consistent with what we believe and who we are in Christ. Play-acting is meant for the stage, not for real life.