God Will Not Bless Hypocrites. He Will Not Answer Their Prayers Until They Have Confessed and Repented of Their Sins. No Matter How Religious They Are or How Many Honorable Deeds They Do, God Will Not Accept People Who Continue to Live Wickedly and Disobey His Commandments.

The Savior's Message to the Hypocrites: Guilty of Deceptive, Phony Behavior

A hypocrite is a person who pretends, puts on a show, or acts out something he or she is not. Many people are hypocrites:

Ø  They act as though they believe in and love God, yet they do not truly trust or obey God's holy commandments.

Ø  They pretend to be seeking God, but their hearts are, in reality seeking recognition, esteem, position, power, fame, or wealth.

Ø  They act humble and helpful; nevertheless, they are full of pride, envy, selfishness, and covetousness.

Ø  They show a concern for the things of God; at the same time, their hearts are set on the things of the world.

Ø  They profess to know and believe God's Word, but they add to or take away from His Word at their own discretion and live as they wish instead of obeying God's Word. 

In the present Scripture, God spoke directly to the hypocrites of Isaiah's day. What He said is applicable to every generation. This is The Savior's Message to the Hypocrites: Guilty of Deceptive, Phony Behavior, 58:1–14.

1.      The Deceptive Behavior of Religious Hypocrites (Vv. 1–5a).

2.      The specific behavior demanded by God (Vv. 5b–7).

3.      The results of righteous behavior: God's promises (Vv. 8–12).

4.      The importance of keeping the Sabbath day holy (Vv. 13–14). 

The Savior's Message to the Hypocrites: Guilty of Deceptive, Phony Behavior,

¹Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast; tell my people of their sins! ²Yet they act so piously! They come to the Temple every day and are so delighted to hear the reading of my laws—just as though they would obey them—just as though they do not despise the commandments of their God! How anxious they are to worship correctly; oh, how they love the Temple services!

³ "We have fasted before you," they say. "Why aren't you impressed? Why don't you see our sacrifices? Why don't you hear our prayers? We have done much penance, and you do not even notice it!" I will tell you why! Because you are living in evil pleasure even while you are fasting, and you keep right on oppressing your workers. ⁴Look, what good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. ⁵Is this what I want—this doing of penance and bowing like reeds in the wind, putting on sackcloth and covering yourselves with ashes? Is this what you call fasting?

⁶No, the kind of fast I want is that you stop oppressing those who work for you and treat them fairly and give them what they earn. ⁷I want you to share your food with the hungry and bring right into your own homes those who are helpless, poor, and destitute. Clothe those who are cold, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

⁸If you do these things; God will shed his own glorious light upon you. He will heal you; your godliness will lead you forward, goodness will be a shield before you, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. ⁹Then, when you call, the Lord will answer. "Yes, I am here," he will quickly reply. All you need to do is to stop oppressing the weak and stop making false accusations and spreading vicious rumors!

¹⁰Feed the hungry! Help those in trouble! Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you shall be as bright as day. ¹¹And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy you with all good things, and keep you healthy too; and you will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. ¹²Your sons will rebuild the long-deserted ruins of your cities, and you will be known as "The People Who Rebuild Their Walls and Cities."

¹³If you keep the Sabbath holy, not having your own fun and business on that day, but enjoying the Sabbath, speaking of it with delight as the Lord's holy day, and honoring the Lord in what you do, not following your own desires and pleasure nor talking idly—¹⁴then the Lord will be your delight, and I will see to it that you ride high and get your full share of the blessings I promised to Jacob, your father. The Lord has spoken.^[1] (Isaiah 58:1–14) 

Hypocrites Must Be Told Their Behavior Is Phony and Hypocritical.

They are guilty of dangerous transgression and sin. God instructed Isaiah to address this message to the house of Jacob, which is Israel. But God also said that the message was addressed to my people. This makes the message applicable to every generation of believers. This message is especially important. It is so significant that the prophet was to shout it aloud, raising his voice like a trumpet: "Spare not. Do not hold back from proclaiming the truth," God says. Make sure everyone hears the message and that they hear the truth. They are guilty of dangerous transgression and sin. Transgression means rebellion. God's people are deliberately rebelling against Him, turning away from His holy commandments. Although they professed to know the Lord and to be following Him, they lived hypocritical lives. They were living dangerous lives that could doom them to the judgment of God: 

The Phony, Deceptive Behavior of Religious Hypocrites

¹Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast; tell my people of their sins! ²Yet they act so piously! They come to the Temple every day and are so delighted to hear the reading of my laws—just as though they would obey them—just as though they do not despise the commandments of their God! How anxious they are to worship correctly; oh, how they love the Temple services!

³ "We have fasted before you," they say. "Why aren't you impressed? Why don't you see our sacrifices? Why don't you hear our prayers? We have done much penance, and you do not even notice it!" I will tell you why! Because you are living in evil pleasure even while you are fasting, and you keep right on oppressing your workers. ⁴Look, what good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. ⁵Is this what I want—this doing of penance and bowing like reeds in the wind, putting on sackcloth and covering yourselves with ashes? Is this what you call fasting?^[2] (Isaiah58:1–5a) 

A.  The Devious Behavior of Hypocrites Is Sad, For in Most Cases, They Do Not See Their Own Sins. 

They have deceived themselves. Despite being guilty of terrible sin, they continue their regular religious activities in the belief that God accepts them. They believe they are good enough and do enough good works that, in the final analysis, God will never reject them. No matter how deeply sin is rooted in their lives, they still believe they are acceptable to God. They are convinced that they are eternally secure. Many religious hypocrites can make some strong, pious claims because they are consistently faithful to their religious beliefs despite their sinful behavior. God says that some hypocrites can even make the following four claims: 

Ø  They seek God daily; that is, they have a daily devotional or worship time, either in their home or worship center (v. 2).

Ø  They are eager to learn God's ways, to study His Word so they will know how to live righteous lives and please the Lord.

Ø  They pray for guidance, looking to make the right and just decisions in their behavior toward others.

Ø  They worship and seek the Lord on a regular basis throughout the day, drawing near to Him in fellowship and communion. 

B. Note What Scripture Says: These Are Deceptive Claims, For the Hypocrites Have Forsaken the Commandments of God and Are Not Living Righteously. 

Their hearts and day-to-day behavior are quite different from what God requires (Vv. 3b–5). God demands a personal relationship with and obedience from His true followers. Hypocrites, however, confuse the issue. They substitute religion or church membership for a personal relationship with the Lord, and they equate good works with obedience to His commands. For the most part, hypocrites believe that virtuous deeds are what makes them acceptable to God. Therefore, they feel they can do what they wish just as long as they do enough virtuous deeds. 

Seeking God daily, being eager to learn His Word, praying, and drawing near to the Lord throughout the day are all necessary to keep a strong spiritual life and relationship with the Lord. But engaging in these worshipful activities while neglecting to behave righteously is hypocritical. This was the indictment of God against many of the Jews in Isaiah's day. And it has been God's indictment against many down through the centuries. They "have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof" (2 Ti. 3:5). Their hearts are far from God, and their daily behavior does not conform to the commandments of God. The prophet Isaiah described how they act. Note the feeble behavior of hypocrites:

1)      Some hypocrites complain to God that He has not noted their fasting or prayer, not met their needs, or blessed them (v. 3). When trials or crises arise, they seek the Lord for help, even to the point of fasting. But they think God appears disinterested in their needs and seems to be ignoring their prayers. Thus, they question God, asking why He had not heard their cries. What they are overlooking is the importance of simply obeying God, for God considers obedience even better than offerings and sacrifices (1 S. 15:22).

2)      Many hypocrites live selfishly (v. 3). Using fasting as an example, they will set aside a day to fast, but instead of spending the day in prayer, they selfishly go about their regular daily routines and activities. Professing to be followers of the Lord, many people faithfully take part in religious services, rituals, and ceremonies. However, directly after the religious activity, they return to their selfish ways. They live as they want, indulging in the flesh and becoming entangled with the sinful pleasures of the world. Ignoring the commandments of God, they look to please themselves and do their own thing, regardless of what God says.

3)      Other hypocrites are guilty of exploiting those who work under their supervision (v. 3c). One moment, they proclaim to know the Lord, and the next, they are like slave drivers who abuse the people working under them. In certain cases, they are even guilty of extortion, stealing from their workers or employees by paying them low wages or shorting their hours worked or wages paid. Cheating their workers and being overbearing in their demands, these hypocritical employers or managers forget the commandments of God (Col. 4:1).

4)      A number of hypocrites are divisive (v. 4). The picture painted by Scripture is tragic. Some were arguing and fighting even after fasting and as soon as they walked out of worship. Think how many families every week walk out of worship and quickly return to their divisive behavior, quarreling and treating each other coldly. Despite living under the same roof, they shut one another out and live what amounts to separate lives. This is phony and insincere. Think also about church members who are divisive within the church, who fuel or start heated discussions that, at times, regrettably, lead to a split within the church. This is hypocritical behavior at its worst.

5)      Most, if not all, hypocrites expect God to bless them despite their sinful, wicked behavior (v. 4). Nevertheless, God is clear in this passage: "You cannot fast [pray, seek God] as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high" (v. 4 NIV). God will not bless hypocrites. He will not answer their prayers until they have confessed and repented of their sins. No matter how religious they are or how many honorable deeds they do, God will not accept people who continue to live wickedly and disobey His commandments.

6)      Hypocrites are themselves deceived, for they think the Lord will accept their religious behavior (v. 5a). Again, the example given is that of fasting, for fasting is considered beyond "normal" religious activity. And the picture is that of religious people, those who confess to the Lord, attend worship services faithfully, and perform virtuous deeds. But these people do even more. When challenging times come, or a crisis arises, they set aside a day or more for fasting and seeking the Lord in prayer. They humble themselves, bow their heads, and even put on sackcloth and ashes. Because of their commitment to religion and their religious activity, they feel confident that the Lord will accept, bless, and look after them. But God is clear: as vital as it is to attend church and do honorable deeds, these activities are not His first demand. What God demands is given in the next point (The specific behavior demanded by God (Vv. 5b–7 point 2). 

Throughout the Holy Scriptures, God has much to say about hypocrisy and false religion. Take note of just a few references:

V  '"Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, "these people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men"' (Mt. 15:7–9).

V  "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in" (Mt. 23:13; see vv. 14–33).

V  "Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity" (Mt. 23:28).

V  "But and if that evil servant says in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Mt. 24:48–51).

V  '"He answered and said unto them, "Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, these people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me"' (Mk. 7:6).

V  "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Lu. 6:46).

V  "Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? Yes, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?" (Lu. 12:56–57).

V  "Thou, therefore, which teachest another, teachest thou, not thyself? Thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou, commit sacrilege?" (Ro 2:2-22; see Romans. 2:17–29).

V  "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple" (Ro. 16:17–18).

V  "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron" (1 Ti. 4:1–2).

V  "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled, and unbelieving is nothing pure, but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate" (Tit. 1:15–16).

V  "And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth, they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not" (Eze. 33:31–32).^[3] 

PRAYER: The Phony, Deceptive Behavior of Religious Hypocrites

Father God, we thank you for allowing those who love your Word to share with us what you want us to do. Specifically, Father God, the message of the Good News of Salvation provided for us in the life, death, and resurrection of your Son, Christ, Jesus. However, Father God, we can only receive this gift through our repentance of heart, mind, body, soul, and spirit. Therefore, Father God, we thank you for revealing our sin in your Holy Word.

Your Word, Father God, reveals the deepest inner secrets of our hearts and soul. We thank you for your Word only; our problem is we do not take your Word seriously enough. We read in your Word events that appear to go against reason and logic and say to ourselves that it cannot be true. Therefore, we excuse your Word as not for us and continue living the way we want; that ought not to be so.

What we do realize from your Word is you have set a standard that seems to be unattainable, meaning it is a standard of perfection that we will never meet. So, again, Father God, we thank you for this, but we need from you an ability to recognize that perfection is not the goal for us here on earth but to follow the life of your Son, Jesus, that He modeled for us.

As your Word in the current passage teaches us, we are guilty of hypocrisy and that trying to live up to a supposed standard is not reality. We will never live up to perfection, so help us, Father God, to stop trying to reach the unattainable. What we can do in this body of flesh is do the best we can with the knowledge presented to us and decide based on your Word as to what you want for us and leave the rest in your control.

Father God, help us to see ourselves as you see us, either with you or living without you, and help us to make our choices to follow the examples revealed in your Word. Help us to lay aside our hypocritical ways, to stop pleasing others as if what others do and say matters more than what you want us to do.

Hypocrisy in our lives does not serve anyone but the end goals of the evil one that wants to destroy us. We see in our lives how hypocrisy is a form of lying and deceit and how it eats away relationships, destroying families and our nation. So please help us, Father, to repent of our hypocritical ways and live lives of honesty, and as best as we can to faithfully look to your Word for the answers; we need to live our lives before you as you wish.

Thank you, Father God, for your work in our lives, and we look forward to seeing you carry out your will in and through our lives as we learn to walk in obedience according to your Word. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen

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God Will Not Bless Hypocrites. He Will Not Answer Their Prayers Until They Have Confessed and Repented of Their Sins. No Matter How Religious They Are or How Many Honorable Deeds They Do, God Will Not Accept People Who Continue to Live Wickedly and Disobey His Commandments.

^[1] Taylor, Kenneth Nathaniel. 1997. The Living Bible, Paraphrased. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

^[2] Taylor, Kenneth Nathaniel. 1997. The Living Bible, Paraphrased. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

NIV New International Version

^[3] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 2005. Isaiah: Chapters 36–66. Vol. II. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.