Beware of the leaven–that is, the hypocrisy–of the Pharisees.
Hypocrisy may seem to work for a while. We can go through life presenting a false face to the world in order to make ourselves feel good and to win the approval of others. But even in this life it isn't a good long term strategy. Cracks in the facade often appear and the false mask becomes harder and harder to maintain. But even if we successfully skate through life with such a mask we cannot hide behind it forever. There is a day coming on which God will judge the world (see Acts 17:31).
There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed,
nor secret that will not be known.
There is a difference between hypocrisy that is unconcerned with inner growth and inner growth that has not yet matured. In both cases the individual may be working to show the world a good face on the outside. But in the later she also at least wishes that her inner life would match the face she shows to the world. Hypocrisy is a shield from the need for inner changes.
In him you also, who have heard the word of truth,
the Gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him,
were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
which is the first installment of our inheritance
toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.
For those sealed with the Holy Spirit it is the desire to be entirely changed that may feel more polished on the outside, less perfect in the heart, but which is nevertheless still originating from within. Such a person may practice virtue without feeling virtuous, but the motive is not about pride and self-image, or at least not entirely. She has a new 'want to' in herself that is the life of God longing to get out an express itself. It is really the conformity between this inner desire and external actions that matters in the first place, as a more thoroughgoing conversion of heart inevitably follows.
On the one hand, we may find things within ourselves that are not yet healed and need to be transformed so that our outer and inner lives can be consistent. On the other, since we have be chosen in Christ to "exist for the praise of his glory" there are also new realities within us that may be tempted to bottle up inside but which we must instead release and unleash.
Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness
will be heard in the light,
and what you have whispered behind closed doors
will be proclaimed on the housetops.
Why do we walk on eggshells in regard to how we present ourselves to the world? How is it that we are more concerned about what other people think of us than being ready to appear before God on judgment day with nothing to hide? It may be because choose to pay more attention to the external fear than to the internal desire to let the Holy Spirit transform us and reign in us. But to overcome this temptation we should realize that we do not even begin the process on our own, and are never alone at any point along the way. We do not have to fend for ourselves. Such fear does tend to create hypocrites who are motivated by fear. But we are children of God. We are meant to be motivated by his love for us.
Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins?
Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God.
Even the hairs of your head have all been counted.
Do not be afraid.
You are worth more than many sparrows.
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