If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. – 1 John 4:20

It’s easy to say that we love God when that love doesn’t cost us anything more than weekly attendance in church, but the real test of our love for God is how we treat the people right in front of us – Our family members and fellow believers.  We cannot truly love God while neglecting to love those who are created in his image around us.

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. – Matthew 7:5

People sometime act like hypocrites when they are quick to point out the faults of others an overlook their own faults, which in some cases are even worse.  This verse is saying to always evaluate yourself first before you try to pass judgement on someone else.

“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. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.    – Matthew 6:1-2

The term “hypocrites” here describes people who do good acts for appearances only, not out of compassion, love or a pure heart.  Their actions may be good but their motives come out of a hollow self-centered heart.

You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” – Matthew 15:7-9

When we claim to honor God while our hearts are far from Him, our worship means nothing.  It is not enough to act religious. Our actions and attitudes must be sincere.  If they are not, Isaiah’s words also describe us.

“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

Some people (Especially religious leaders) wanted to be seen as holy and public prayer was one way to get attention but Jesus saw through their self-righteous acts.  At the very core of prayer it is a private connection and communication to God. He is the only audience that you should focus on when you are praying by yourself or with others.

““No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.”  – Luke 16:13-15 NIV

The Pharisees acted piously to get praise from others but God knew what was in their heart.   They considered their wealth to be a sign of God’s approval.  God detested their wealth because it caused them to abandon true spirituality.  Though prosperity may earn the praise of people, it must never substitute for devotion and service to God.

The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. – Luke 18:11

This Pharisee did not go to the temple to pray to God but he announced it to all who could hear and what he did was made himself out to be better than the tax collector.  The truth of the matter though is that we all are sinners and need forgiveness that is only offered through Jesus.  This Pharisee not only was acting like a hypocrite but was also stuck in pride as well.