A hypocrite is someone whose character is inconsistent with his words and deeds. How fitting that the English word, hypocrite, comes from the Greek word for actor. After all, an actor is pretending to be someone he is not.

Hypocrisy is not a new condition. Jesus addressed the same problem centuries ago when He rebuked the Pharisees:

“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach” (Matthew 23:2-3 NIV)

Today, our society employs a cliché to describe the philosophy of this type of person: “Do as I say, not as I do.”

We want to share the Gospel with young people, but there may be occasions when we try to force the issue when we have not earned the right to share. Many young people are turned off by family and church members who say one thing about Jesus on Sunday, but live far from Him Monday through Saturday.

Jesus did say, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17 NIV). But let’s not use His words as an excuse for failing to live without hypocrisy.

It may be time for some self-examination. Do we trust the Lord the way we want our children to trust Him? Do we obey God the way we want our children to obey Him? Ask God to show you where you need His righteousness to live transparently. Then share the Gospel with young people who need His righteousness, too.

May we be able to say to our children along with the apostle Paul, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV).