Hypocrisy (or the state of being a hypocrite) is the act of preaching a certain belief, religion or way of life, but not, in fact, holding these same virtues oneself. For example, if a person were to tell one to repent for his sins yet he never repents himself this is hypocrisy.
I have often wondered about what is a hypocrite? In 1986 shortly after becoming a Christian I experienced my first taste of a christian hypocrite. This person who I thought was so close to God really was just a plain old hypocrite. In later years after becoming a minister God revealed even more of these lost souls parading themselves around as being saved yet they had what I call a Holy Ghost vacancy in their life. As time went on over the years I see so clearly how someone can be lured into hypocrisy. First,when someone begins to attack your walk with God it would be hypocritical if the person making the claim had any sin in their lives at all. When a person claims to be a Christian and spends vast amounts of time looking at others lives and faults and spends vast amounts of time judging people then I believe that their lives must be perfect and holy which is impossible in God's eyes. I have experienced so called Christians and even my own family members who have taken their best shot at me and our ministry.(Some even boasting that they will destroy me) I wonder how God feels about them when they have made the decision to become a hypocrite. Now I must confess that the flesh is a powerful tool. With many years experience in asking God to forgive them and looking forward to a great year I will continue to pray for the Church and yes even the hypocrites.
