Sometimes Bible teachers believe how they live outside of class doesn’t matter. They simply need to show up and do a good job teaching. But, as we’ve already established in a previous post, even if students don’t recognize our hypocrisy, God sees right through us and He’s the One to whom we’re accountable. And, our hypocrisy does still affect our students as it’s detrimental to our teaching.
Two Ways Hypocrisy Affects Our Teaching
When Jesus identified the leaders and teachers of the law as hypocrites, He clarified what He meant by quoting from Isaiah. — “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” (Matt. 15:7-9) — Therein we also see two effects of hypocrisy on their ministry:
1) They worship me in vain. — Hypocrisy Affects How We Teach
God looks for those who worship in spirit AND in truth (Jn. 4:23-24). When our hearts are out of alignment with His Truth, we’re merely going through the motions or are on an emotional high. Consequently we start to lose focus of God Himself. When we lose site of Him, we’re no longer walking in step with Him. We quench the Spirit within us whom we need in order to effectively teach His Word. Sure, we might employ good teaching philosophy and methodology, and even be loved by our students, but we’ll fail to bear spiritual fruit for apart from Him, we can do nothing of eternal value (Jn. 15:1-5).
2) Their teachings are merely human rules. — Hypocrisy Affects What We Teach
Hypocrisy leads to two sets of standards — God’s and our’s. Initially our teaching may be a bit eclectic, mixing a little of this and that in with biblical truth. But, over time, if left unchecked, whose opinions win out? Jesus confronted the hypocritical leaders and teachers of the law for not only teaching “merely human rules” (Matt. 15:7-9) but also for breaking the laws of God by their own traditions (Matt. 15:1-6). Their own opinions and traditions won. Jesus said, “Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition” (Matt. 15:6).
Oh may it not be! Bible teachers are BIBLE teachers. How we teach and what we teach matters! Let’s prevent such hypocrisy in our lives by guarding our hearts. If you haven’t already done so, please be sure to read the previous post: Hypocrisy is a Heart Issue
thanks for info.