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[Note: <\/strong>This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles-2<\/strong> page.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0 There are three positions taken on this subject:<\/span><\/p>\n What does the Bible say about the place of sincerity in God\u2019s plan?<\/span><\/p>\n We must understand from the beginning that insincerity, hypocrisy is abominable to God. Hypocrisy literally means to put on a mask and pretend to be something one is not.\u00a0 Jesus openly condemned those who practice their religion merely to be seen and praised by men and He said that\u2019s all they would receive (Mat. 6:1\u201318). Jesus harshly rebuked those who don\u2019t practice what they preach and who put on a great outward display of piety, but are inwardly corrupt, calling them a bunch of snakes (Mat. 23:4\u20135, 25\u201328, 33). The hypocrites are doomed to eternal destruction in hell (Mat. 24:51).<\/span><\/p>\n Paul warned Timothy about the \u201chypocrisies of men that speak lies\u201d (1 Tim. 4:1\u20132). Peter counseled: \u201cPutting away therefore all wickedness, and guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings\u201d (1 Pet. 2:1). John pleaded: \u201cMy little children let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and Truth\u201d (1 John 3:18).<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0The same message is taught in many other places in God\u2019s Word. None who believe the Bible can dispute the necessity of one\u2019s being sincere in convictions, beliefs, and behavior if one wishes to please God.\u00a0 Lack of sincerity is intolerable to God. There is none more harmful to the cause of Truth and righteousness than the person who professes on Sunday what he is unwilling to practice Monday through Saturday.<\/span><\/p>\n Unfortunately, many have jumped to the conclusion that since sincerity is so important to God, it is therefore all<\/strong> that is important to God. We shall study this erroneous concept in subsequent Brief Articles.<\/span><\/p>\n [Note:<\/strong>\u00a0I wrote this article for, and it was published in the \u201cBible Thoughts\u201d Column for the Hood County News<\/em>, Granbury, Texas, December 4, 1977.]<\/span><\/p>\n Attribution:<\/strong> From thescripturecache.com<\/em>; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Views: 2[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles-2 page. \u00a0 There are three positions taken on this subject: Some people believe sincerity is all important as indicated by the familiar statement, \u201cIt makes no difference what you believe as long…<\/p>\n\n