A religious hypocrite is one who only plays the part of having godly virtues. The underlying motive is for self-aggrandizement, i.e., making oneself appear greater than one really is.
In His teaching of "how to", Jesus very often taught first "how not to." Thus, Jesus started His teaching on prayer, in Matthew 6:6, with
1. "when you pray"--assuming not "if" but "when"; and,
2. "do not be like..."--in other words, "how not to."
Is it wrong to pray in church or on a street corner, or, for that matter, in a restaurant before a meal? Of course not! UNLESS,---unless those prayers are given to be "seen by men." That makes it hypocrisy! Jesus then explained that when one is "seen" praying for the purpose of "being seen", he/she already has his/her reward.
In verse 7, Jesus says again, "And when you pray, do not..." Then He continues, "...keep on babbling like pagans," (NIV) or "...use vain repetitions, as the heathen do." (KJV). He clarifies, "...they think they will be heard because of their many words." (NIV). Here, the pagans (heathen) may or may not be praying "to be seen" as the hypocrite, but they are definitely going about it in the wrong way. Repeating words, prayers or rituals do not take the place of a right relationship with God.
Now, Jesus gets around to the "how to" pray and "how to" eliminate hypocrisy and paganism in one's praying.
Jesus makes such practical sense! In order to eliminate praying "to be seen", (hypocrisy), He says, in verse 6 of Matthew 6, to go where you can't be seen. "...Go to your room, close the door, and pray..." (NIV). The KJV reads, "...enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray..."
When one prays where he knows he can't be seen, then he is no longer concerned with hypocrisy. But, then, God sees in secret and He rewards openly. His way is amazing, isn't it?
As far as the pagans are concerned with their "babbling" and "vain repetitions," Jesus answers them in verse 8. The Father knows their need of a right relationship with Him before they pray. That right relationship is received by "grace through faith" (Ephesians 2:8) and not in rituals, repetitions or deeds.
Read Luke 18:9-14. Here is a parable from Jesus that beautifully illustrates hypocrisy in prayer and how to get rid of it.
Read Romans 6, for more on being saved by grace through faith.
Have you let Jesus eliminate hypocrisy and paganism in your prayer life?
What are your greatest strengths (weaknesses) in praying?
Share with others in your comments (questions) below.
Our next post will be about relationship prayer.
In His teaching of "how to", Jesus very often taught first "how not to." Thus, Jesus started His teaching on prayer, in Matthew 6:6, with
1. "when you pray"--assuming not "if" but "when"; and,
2. "do not be like..."--in other words, "how not to."
Is it wrong to pray in church or on a street corner, or, for that matter, in a restaurant before a meal? Of course not! UNLESS,---unless those prayers are given to be "seen by men." That makes it hypocrisy! Jesus then explained that when one is "seen" praying for the purpose of "being seen", he/she already has his/her reward.
In verse 7, Jesus says again, "And when you pray, do not..." Then He continues, "...keep on babbling like pagans," (NIV) or "...use vain repetitions, as the heathen do." (KJV). He clarifies, "...they think they will be heard because of their many words." (NIV). Here, the pagans (heathen) may or may not be praying "to be seen" as the hypocrite, but they are definitely going about it in the wrong way. Repeating words, prayers or rituals do not take the place of a right relationship with God.
Now, Jesus gets around to the "how to" pray and "how to" eliminate hypocrisy and paganism in one's praying.
Jesus makes such practical sense! In order to eliminate praying "to be seen", (hypocrisy), He says, in verse 6 of Matthew 6, to go where you can't be seen. "...Go to your room, close the door, and pray..." (NIV). The KJV reads, "...enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray..."
When one prays where he knows he can't be seen, then he is no longer concerned with hypocrisy. But, then, God sees in secret and He rewards openly. His way is amazing, isn't it?
As far as the pagans are concerned with their "babbling" and "vain repetitions," Jesus answers them in verse 8. The Father knows their need of a right relationship with Him before they pray. That right relationship is received by "grace through faith" (Ephesians 2:8) and not in rituals, repetitions or deeds.
Read Luke 18:9-14. Here is a parable from Jesus that beautifully illustrates hypocrisy in prayer and how to get rid of it.
Read Romans 6, for more on being saved by grace through faith.
Have you let Jesus eliminate hypocrisy and paganism in your prayer life?
What are your greatest strengths (weaknesses) in praying?
Share with others in your comments (questions) below.
Our next post will be about relationship prayer.
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