Nonchalant Hypocrisy
Then David said to the messenger, “Thus you shall say to Joab: ‘Do not let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another. Strengthen your attack against the city, and overthrow it.’ So encourage him.” - 2 Samuel 11:25
In complete hypocrisy David brushed aside Uriah’s death as if nothing unusual happened. Fatalities are a part of war and you are bound to lose some good men. A faithful, heroic warrior was dead but David remained unmoved by his fallen comrade. Joab received a message back from David that eased his mind and ordered him forward into a stronger assault on the city.
It is important to realize God hates the sin of hypocrisy. A person can pretend to be something they are not, they can look good on the outside but inside they hide all manner of sins. Jesus described thescribes and Pharisees as hypocrites:
… For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness - (Matthew 23:27-28).
No matter how good we may seem to others on the outside God knows our inner hearts. We can never hide behind a mask of hypocrisy. Christians should be genuine and sincere as worshippers of God (John 4:24).
Periodical godliness is perpetual hypocrisy.
~Charles Spurgeon~
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