Intro: Good Deeds Actors (Hypocrites) in the Bible
The Sermon on the Mount includes one of the most piercing truths about good deeds actors: we can do the right things for the wrong reasons. Jesus warned us to beware of performing righteous acts before others to be seen by them (Matthew 6:1). While our outward actions may appear holy, God sees the heart. This article will explore 9 biblical examples of hypocritical good deeds and what they reveal about true righteousness.
1. The Pharisees Who Loved Applause (Matthew 23:5)
“Everything they do is done for people to see.” Jesus wasn’t impressed by the Pharisees’ long prayers, large phylacteries, or their fasting. They looked holy but loved the spotlight more than they loved God.
2. Ananias and Sapphira’s Deadly Pretense (Acts 5:1-11)
This couple sold land and claimed to give the full proceeds to the early church. In reality, they secretly kept back part of the money. Their lie wasn’t just to people—it was to the Holy Spirit. The consequence? Death. Given that all good deeds actors commit hypocrisy that is an attempt at the deception of others and the Holy Spirt – the consequences are always the same – the death of something.
3. Simon the Sorcerer’s False Offering (Acts 8:18-21)
Simon saw the apostles laying hands on people to receive the Holy Spirit and offered money to gain the same power. Peter rebuked him, saying, “Your heart is not right before God.” Hypocrisy isn’t just in action but in ambition. Good deeds actors are not seeking to please the Father, they are seeking gain for themselves. Gain is a nature consequence of pleasing the Father, but good deeds actors don’t trust in gain from the Father and pursue their gain directly from worldly motivated acts.
4. The Fasting That Meant Nothing (Isaiah 58:3-5)
Israel complained that God didn’t notice their fasting. But God pointed out they fasted while continuing to quarrel and exploit others. Ritual without righteousness is worthless.
5. King Saul’s Sacrifices (1 Samuel 15:13-23)
Saul disobeyed God but justified himself by saying he kept animals alive to sacrifice to the Lord. Samuel’s reply? “To obey is better than sacrifice.” Obedience trumps outward gestures.
6. The Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17-22)
He claimed to have kept all the commandments, but when Jesus told him to sell everything and follow Him, he walked away. He wanted to appear righteous but wasn’t willing to surrender.
7. Judas’s Concern for the Poor (John 12:4-6)
When Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume, Judas protested, saying the money should’ve been given to the poor. But Scripture tells us he didn’t care about the poor—he was a thief.
8. The Boastful Giver (Matthew 6:2)
Jesus warned not to announce our giving with trumpets. Those who do so “have received their reward in full.” Giving to impress others forfeits eternal reward.
9. The Condemners of the Adulterous Woman (John 8:3-9)
Religious leaders brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus, hoping to trap Him. But Jesus exposed their hypocrisy with one line: “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” They walked away, one by one.
Why Motives Matter to God
Scripture consistently points to one truth: man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Our motives are not hidden from God. Hypocrisy isn’t just a flaw—it’s a form of spiritual self-deception.
Final Thought: Let Your Good Deeds Glorify God
In Matthew 5:16, Jesus said to let our light shine—not so people praise us, but so they glorify our Father in heaven. Let’s not act like spiritual performers. Let’s be the real thing.
Call to Repentance: Return to the Heart of God
If you’ve been acting out righteousness without the right heart, now is the time to turn back. God is not looking for perfect performances—He desires truth in the inward being (Psalm 51:6). Confess your hypocrisy, ask God for a clean heart, and follow Jesus sincerely. True transformation begins not with applause from others but with repentance and grace before God.