In a recent poll, 72% of adults who believed in God but didn't attend church said that hypocrisy within the church was their biggest reason why. And while we know that only Jesus can set a perfect example, the fact remains that our behavior as His disciples will always play a part in forming people's opinions. So how do we distinguish hypocrisy from simply being human and making mistakes?
If we look at the above scripture, Jesus shows us that hypocrisy often involves a lack of self-awareness. We look down on others, seemingly forgetting that we ourselves are flawed and also in need of God's grace and mercy. To put it simply, a true disciple of Jesus will stumble but then repent and get back on the right path. A hypocrite cares only about appearances and was never focused on walking the path in the first place.
Don't even give hypocrisy a foothold in your life. Take some time to thank God today for all He's done for you. Remembering our own reliance on Him helps us to support others with both patience and humility.