By Willie Muhammad
Before hypocrisy manifests in ones words, attitude and actions, it manifests in the thoughts of the mind. Look at Cain, the brother of Abel and Judas, the Disciple of Jesus. Cain, after not properly handling disappointment, began to be filled with thoughts which were contrary to a sibling relationship. God sensing these thoughts of Cain, told him, “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” We know he ended up killing his blood brother. Between the time Cain began having these thoughts and the actually killing of his brother. Cain had to PRETEND that he had the deepest love for his brother, which he did not. He had become consumed with hypocrisy.
As love for Jesus was growing in the hearts of the people, one from among his disciples was stewing in resentment and disappointment. The scripture says, “Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.” From this point forward Judas PRETENDED to love Jesus but inwardly he detested him. He outwardly participated in all of the duties Jesus placed on the disciples, but internally there was a huge gap developing. Judas had become consumed with hypocrisy.
When was the last time you examined your thoughts as it relates to the principles you say you believe in?
We can look the part but inwardly, be diametrically opposed to what we profess and pretend to be. If we don’t heavily examine the origin of our thoughts which are contrary to what we believe. They will grow into a disease which will greatly damage our heart and turn us against the very principles we once stood for, while we outwardly still look like we are in accord with them.
Allah in the Holy Quran says the following about the impact of hypocrisy, “And when thou seest them, their persons please thee; and if they speak, thou listenest to their speech. They are like pieces of wood, clad with garments. They think every cry to be against them. They are the enemy, so beware of them. May Allah destroy them! How they are turned back!” Hypocrisy which begins in the mind first, makes the carrier of this disease well dressed up and groomed mannequin, that is hallow in the inside. Is this what we have become in our church, mosque, fraternity, sorority, marriage and etc?
If we find that we are having hypocritical thoughts, we must do several things. One, go to God with a heavy heart and expose our disease thoughts, asking Him to forgive and heal us. Two, we need to increase our intake of the Word of God. Study what God says in His Revelation about this disease. Lastly, we need to make a sacrifice. Doing so helps to bring us closer to God.
Like many illnesses, if caught early enough, a recovery from hypocritical thoughts is possible as well.
Follow Student Minister Willie Muhammad on Twitter @BroWM46. Visit the official New Orleans mosque website @ noineworleans.org
The Series
The Ultimate Pretender… A Hypocrite
How Disappointment Can Lead to Hypocrisy