What's Hidden Will Be Revealed

The Reality of Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy is everywhere. Sadly, it even finds its way into the church. It’s easy to notice in others, yet far harder to see in ourselves. At its core, hypocrisy is a work of the flesh, and those who practice it habitually only reveal they do not truly have the Spirit of God.

As Warren Wiersbe notes, hypocrisy is a “shortsighted practice.” It often hides behind a mask of status or reputation—especially in ministry—seeking the approval of man rather than God.

The word hypocrisy derives from the secular Greek term hupokrités, which literally means “actor.” John MacArthur explains, “An actor attempts to play a convincing role on the stage, pretending to be someone that he is not.” That is the essence of hypocrisy: a performance.

Jesus often used this word to describe those who appear religious but lack a genuine relationship with God. It is a façade—an outward act without heart transformation. But no mask lasts forever, and, in time, one’s true nature will be revealed.

Jesus reminds us: “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops” (Luke 12:2–3; cf. Psalm 7:9; 90:8; Ecclesiastes 12:14; Romans 2:6; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Revelation 2:23).

When Hidden Deception Is Exposed

The recent case of David E. Taylor—a self-proclaimed apostle and founder of Kingdom of God Global Church—illustrates this truth. He and his ministry claim to have healed countless individuals and even raised some from the dead. Yet, behind the scenes, a different reality was unfolding.

According to a Department of Justice press release, Taylor was indicted on ten counts, including conspiracy to commit forced labor and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Victims, whom he referred to as his “armor bearers,” were allegedly coerced to transport women to him, carry out specific actions such as administering Plan B emergency contraceptives, and work at his ministry’s call center without pay. Reports also detail physical and psychological abuse when financial goals were not met.

David E. Taylor is a ravenous wolf in sheep’s clothing. He would be, if Jesus described it, a hypocrite. His years of deception and abuse have finally been exposed, standing as a vivid reminder of the type of people Jesus warned us about (Matthew 7:15).

Seven Indicators of Hypocrisy

False prophets and disciples may look and sound like Christians, but their fruit—that is, the way they live—reveals the truth (Matthew 7:15–20). Jesus pronounced seven woes on the scribes and Pharisees, showing the indicators of a hypocrite (Matthew 23):

(1) Hypocrites shut people out of God’s kingdom and hinder them from Gospel truth, 

(2) Hypocrites teach a religion of works but not true righteousness, 

(3) Hypocrites lead others but are spiritually blind themselves, 

(4) Hypocrites follow God’s Law strictly but miss its intent, 

(5) Hypocrites perform religious observations without sincerity,

(6) Hypocrites look righteous on the outside but are spiritually dead, and

(7) Hypocrites despise true prophets of God and pretend to honor them.

Hypocrites are not just a problem of the past; they exist today. They may lead ministries, post seemingly godly content online, or be involved in many church or denominational activities. Outwardly, they look and sound like believers, but the fruit of their lives reveal otherwise. 

As Scripture warns: “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

Such people are those “having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power… always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth,” yet Paul reminds us that “they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all” (2 Timothy 3:5, 7, 9).

Contend for the Faith

Our generation is plagued with chasing charisma over truth. We elevate influential personalities above faithful ministers of God, craving comforting words instead of messages rooted in Scripture. We may embrace Christian virtues such as faith, love, and forgiveness, yet still neglect an active relationship with God. Too often, our grasp of the Gospel only stops at the death of Christ on the cross, when in reality it is meant to shape every aspect of our lives through what Pastor McYoung Yang calls “Gospel lens.” Without the foundation of Christ, we are not standing on solid rock, but, rather, on sinking sand.

As Christians, we are commanded to “not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). Discernment is not optional; it is a command. We must develop the courage to recognize deception, speak out against false teaching, and reject false teachers (Ephesians 5:11; Romans 16:17-18). 

We are also commanded to contend for the faith (Jude 3; 1 Timothy 6:12). Our weapon is the Word of God, which is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12; cf. Ephesians 6:17). With Scripture in hand and Christ as our foundation, we stand firm, being able to resist falsehood and hold fast to the Gospel that saves.

A Call to Self-Examination

Many ministers preach accountability yet fail to hold themselves accountable. For them, accountability seems to apply only to others, while they protect their own reputation at all costs. We must be careful because preaching without practice is exactly what Jesus warned against—it is the beginning of hypocrisy.

If we claim to follow Christ, we must honestly examine ourselves. Do our actions behind closed doors match what we proclaim in public? Do we depend on appearances and human approval? Do we judge others for their sins while overlooking our own?

These questions reveal whether our faith is authentic or merely a performance. But even if we fall short, it doesn’t have to be the end.

God’s grace is available to meet us where we are. He invites us to repent, turn to Him, and cherish Jesus for who He truly is. When we do, we can proclaim with joy, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 23:39), and know that His grace and mercy are able to fully cover our sins and offer true forgiveness.

Closing Remarks

Defend the faith. Contend for the faith. Pursue accountability. And repent. Only when Jesus is our greatest desire can we overcome hypocrisy, for God will bring all things to light, and what is hidden will be revealed.