How to be a hypocrite.

Jesus gives us some very clear teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 6. Don’t be like the hypocrites! It is both a warning and a command.

So, just for clarity’s sake, and to provide a good self-evaluation, let’s turn it around and see what Jesus has to say about “how to be a hypocrite”:

1. Tell everyone about my acts of righteousness.
   Make sure everyone knows how  godly I am by telling people how much I give, how much I serve in ministry, how much I help those in need. Of course, I make sure people think I’m being humble by saying “Wow, I’m so tired from serving in ministry all weekend.” or “I’d love to buy those girl scout cookies, but I give so much to the church already.”  Or even be more subtle like tweeting “Everybody, I’m helping out with the youth retreat, going to be gone all week!“
   Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. –Matthew 6:1-2
    
2. I should remember to do my “Quiet Time” and flowery prayers in front of everyone.
   Where will I be seen reading my Bible and praying with my hands wide out in a godly posture? Where will I know people will see me and all my godliness? I should whip out my Thesaurus and impress people with my vast vocabulary when it comes to praying out loud! I should make sure to use words like “omniscient” and “kenosis”. I should definitely talk about my Quiet Time all the time so people remember how spiritual I am.
   “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. –Matthew 6:5-8
    
3. I should make sure everyone knows about my godly disciplines.
   Did I mention that I fast and pray every hour? “Check out the verse I’ve been ‘meditating’ on!” or “Guess how many people I evangelized to this month?” The possibilities are endless.
   When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. –Matthew 6:16-18
    

I’ve been guilty of all of the above. It’s been quite sobering to evaluate my actions and words. Why do I try so hard to justify myself in front of others? Can I trust that God’s rewards for secret acts of righteousness, done only for love of Him, are much greater than the temporary praise of man?