In Dr. Sproul's formulation, we see two ingredients: Shame, and then pretense. But there is one further, fatal step to be taken before it can justly be called hypocrisy, a step Dr. Sproul touches on but does not emphasize. That is, we must see ourselves as BETTER THAN OTHERS.
C. S. Lewis wrote on the value of pretending. He concluded that if pretending to be better than you are is hypocrisy, “then hypocrisy can do a man good.” Many other theologians and observers of humanity have noted that our actions influence our heart every bit as much as our heart influences our actions. (Dennis Prager is good on this—see his book, “Happiness Is A Serious Problem.”)
When we act better than we are, we tend to become better than we have been. One can see this easily through acting pleasant when we feel miserable.
The route to sinful hypocrisy is not merely to pretend, but to buy into our own pretense. The sure path to humility and true righteousness is through beholding Jesus.
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C. S. Lewis wrote on the value of pretending. He concluded that if pretending to be better than you are is hypocrisy, “then hypocrisy can do a man good.” Many other theologians and observers of humanity have noted that our actions influence our heart every bit as much as our heart influences our actions. (Dennis Prager is good on this—see his book, “Happiness Is A Serious Problem.”)
When we act better than we are, we tend to become better than we have been. One can see this easily through acting pleasant when we feel miserable.
The route to sinful hypocrisy is not merely to pretend, but to buy into our own pretense. The sure path to humility and true righteousness is through beholding Jesus.