Jesus reserved His harshest condemnation for the scribes and Pharisees, who He repeatedly called "hypocrites." In examining these condemnations, we can see the characteristics of a hypocrite. Hopefully, we will have the wisdom to then examine ourselves and make sure we are not also under the Lord's condemnation.

• The hypocrite does things to receive praise from men, not to give glory to God (Matt. 6:1-6, 16-18, 23:5-7).
• The hypocrite thinks nothing of breaking God's law to exercise his own religion (Mark 7:6-13).
• The hypocrite conceals his true motives under a cloak of flattery and pretense (Matt. 22:15-18).
• The hypocrite does not practice what he preaches (Matt. 23:3).
• The hypocrite persuades others to listen to him rather than to listen to God (Matt. 23:15).
• The hypocrite majors in minors (Matt. 23:23-24). He meticulously observes minute details but leaves important matters undone.
• The hypocrite hides an evil heart behind a veil of righteousness (Matt. 23:27-28).
• The hypocrite is blinded to the truth (Luke 12:54-56). Having deceived others so often, he eventually deceives himself.