In John chapter 18:28-32, we see the corruption and twisted thinking of the religious Jews. Their motivation had murderous intentions. They were working around their religious laws while at the same time plotting to have Jesus killed. They wanted Him out of the way. Their hatred for Him boiled because He claimed to be the son of God. How did they get so far off track? 

They wouldn’t enter the Praetorium, the governor’s residence, because Jews don’t mix with Gentiles. They thought it would defile them. The word defile means to taint, pollute, or make unclean. So let me get this right, they couldn’t or wouldn’t set foot in a building because it might contaminant them; thus, they couldn’t eat the Passover? They had a timeframe to work within as well. They were anxious to get this moving and still celebrate the Passover. 

This is religious hypocrisy in its purest form. But this is more than pure hypocrisy, this is pure evil. Jesus had strong words for religious hypocrites. He knew what was in their hearts and what their true motivations were. Their thinking had three twisted strands to it. They were lies, deception, and sin.

Can our thinking become twisted? Can Christians become hypocritical? We shake our heads and condemn these religious hypocrites, but let’s take a closer look at ourselves. 

We say we love God but then hate our brother or withhold forgiveness. We sometimes hold others up to a certain standard that we would never hold ourselves to. What about legalism—how does that come into play in our churches? For some reason, we Christians love our rules, laws, and traditions. I think it’s in our nature because we believe it makes us feel safe and secure when we live within the boundaries of our self-proclaimed rules and laws. But It is better to stay within the boundaries of God's Word.

To protect ourselves from the twisted thinking of hypocrisy, we need to remember one important word, the foundation of what our Christian faith is built; and that is Grace. Remember the Grace we have been shown by our Savior for the forgiveness of our sins. We are never more like Him than when we live and act in Grace.

It’s essential to protect ourselves against hypocrisy by staying in the Word. There is clarity in God's Word. If we run our plans, problems, thinking, and decisions through the Word of God, we will have an outcome that honors Him. The Scriptures should always be our gold standard. It’s good to ask our Lord to “Search me O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way” Psalm 139:23-24.

Next, it’s essential to worship and stay accountable to other Christians. When we isolate ourselves, we are in danger of opening ourselves to hypocrisy, deception, and being led astray.

This portion of Scripture about our Savior is painful to read—the lamb of God being lead away to slaughter. Still, it serves as a sobering reminder of how important it is to guard our hearts and minds against hypocrisy and live examined lives filled with Grace.